BioWare’s new game is now called Dragon Age: The Veilguard and it’s going to get a full reveal on Tuesday, with a teaser rumoured for Sunday.
For a long time it was known merely as Dragon Age 4 but when developer BioWare formally announced their new game they called it Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and now… they’ve changed their mind.
The game has been in development for almost a decade but apart from a few tiny teases nothing substantial has ever been shown or said about it. That should finally change on Tuesday though, when BioWare host the official gameplay reveal on their own YouTube channel at 4pm BST.
There have also been rumours that they’ll be at the Xbox Games Showcase on Sunday and while BioWare has not confirmed that, it does seem possible if it’s just a smaller teaser.
The BioWare reveal on Tuesday will apparently feature over 15 minutes of gameplay, so it seems entirely plausible that a shorter trailer, of a minute or two, could debut at Xbox’s event.
That suggestion comes from leaker Jeff Grubb, who originally stated that, in terms of Xbox’s showcase, ‘Dreadwolf probably won’t be there, Dragon Age will be there.’ Many took that to mean some kind of remake or remaster but it now seems obvious he was referring to the name change.
Although later he added that, ‘It’s not a Dragon Age 1 remake. It’s just not Dreadwolf.’ Which doesn’t really make sense as The Veilguard is Dreadwolf, just with a different name.
BioWare’s explanation for the new name isn’t super clear either, as they insist that, ‘We changed the name as the original title didn’t show just how strongly we feel about our new heroes, their stories and how you’ll need to bring them together to save all of Thedas.’
They don’t actually say what the Veilguard is, but presumably it’s the group that your characters, or at least the lead protagonist, belongs to.
‘At BioWare, we create worlds of adventure, conflict and companionship, where you’re at the centre of it all. As fans of our franchise know, every Dragon Age game has delivered a new standalone story. Set in the world of Thedas, these tales explore epic locales and threats, always thrusting you into a new conflict,’ wrote the developer in a new blog.
‘Each game also introduces a new lead hero – The Warden, Hawke, The Inquisitor – that you can call your own. You can expect all that, and more, with the new game. And of course, much like your unique hero, it wouldn’t be a Dragon Age game without an amazing cast of companions – right?’
‘Each of the seven unique characters that make up your companions will have deep and compelling storylines where the decisions you make will impact your relationships with them – as well as their lives. You’ll unite this team of unforgettable heroes as you take on a terrifying new threat unleashed on the world. Naturally, the Dread Wolf still has an important part in this tale, but you and your companions – not your enemies – are the heart of this new experience.’
In other words, they wanted to name the game after the heroes and not the villain.
The blog also makes it clear that this will be a single-player title and not the multiplayer live service game that EA originally encouraged them to make.
At the end of the day, it is just a name but it will be a relief to see some proper gameplay footage at last and an explanation of what the story is actually all about.
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