Dragon Age: The Veilguard had a turbulent development cycle, taking nearly a decade to release. Despite a strong critical reception, its launch failed to meet Electronic Arts’ expectations. With 1.5 million players engaging with the game in its first two months, EA leadership acknowledged that it did not break beyond its core audience. The company’s recent earnings call highlighted its need to adapt to evolving player demands, and BioWare now faces a period of restructuring.
Rather than focusing on post-launch DLC, BioWare appears to be moving forward with its next project, which could ultimately benefit Dragon Age as a series. By forgoing additional content for The Veilguard, the studio may be able to shorten the turnaround time for the next installment, especially as it refocuses efforts on Mass Effect.
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Dragon Age: The Veilguard as a Complete Experience
One of the biggest advantages of The Veilguard skipping DLC is that it offers a complete experience from the start. Previous entries in the franchise relied heavily on post-launch expansions to tie up storylines. Dragon Age: Origins received multiple DLC packs and a full expansion, Awakening. Dragon Age 2 introduced new characters and story elements after release, and Dragon Age: Inquisition saved its true ending for Trespasser, a major expansion that concluded the game’s main arc.
This approach often left players feeling that critical story content was locked behind additional purchases. Some companions, such as Shale in Origins and Sebastian in Dragon Age 2, were tied to DLC, making them feel less integrated into the core experience. The Veilguard, by contrast, delivers its complete story without relying on future expansions. While some may have hoped for additional content, this shift ensures that the full narrative is accessible from day one.
BioWare’s Focus on the Next Mass Effect
With BioWare shifting its attention to Mass Effect, some fans worry that Dragon Age could be placed on hold indefinitely. However, this refocusing could ultimately strengthen the franchise. The studio has gone through multiple layoffs and restructuring efforts, signaling a need for stability. By prioritizing Mass Effect, BioWare may regain its footing and reestablish itself as a leading RPG developer again before returning to Dragon Age.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard may not have met every expectation, but it stands as a clear improvement over Mass Effect: Andromeda in several key areas. Visually, it delivers a more polished experience, with refined cutscenes and smoother gameplay. Unlike Andromeda, which required multiple patches to address technical issues, The Veilguard launched in a far more stable state. BioWare has learned from past missteps, and if those lessons carry forward, the next Mass Effect could benefit from a more refined development process and a stronger launch.
The Future of Dragon Age After BioWare’s Restructuring
The lack of DLC for The Veilguard may also reflect BioWare’s changing development priorities. Instead of committing resources to post-launch content, the studio can channel its efforts into its next major project. This could mean that when Dragon Age returns, it does so with a clearer vision and a more efficient development cycle.
If BioWare successfully stabilizes with Mass Effect, it may expand once again, allowing Dragon Age to reemerge stronger. The extended gap between Inquisition and The Veilguard was due in part to constant shifts in direction. By avoiding that kind of turmoil, the next Dragon Age could arrive much sooner than expected.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 71%
- Released
- October 31, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
WHERE TO PLAY
Enter the world of Thedas, a vibrant land of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities – steeped in conflict and secret magics. Now, a pair of corrupt ancient gods have broken free from centuries of darkness and are hellbent on destroying the world.
Thedas needs someone they can count on. Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight to stop the gods from blighting the world. But you can’t do this alone – the odds are stacked against you. Lead a team of seven companions, each with their own rich story to discover and shape, and together you will become The Veilguard.
- Engine
- Frostbite
- Franchise
- Dragon Age
- PC Release Date
- October 31, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- October 31, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- October 31, 2024
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
