Summary
Dragon Age: The Veilguardwon’t be open-world, BioWare has confirmed. A senior company official has also offered some explanation for why that is the case, including the claim that the developer wanted to deliver a “highly curated game” withDragon Age: The Veilguard.
The fourth numbered installment in the popular RPG series is presently targeting a late 2024 release for PC and the current-generation consoles. EA and BioWare have recently shifted their efforts to market the game into a higher gear, having at lasttreatedDragon Age: The Veilguardto a gameplay revealcome mid-June.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Will Be ‘Mission-Based’ Rather Than Open-World
Game Rant was subsequently given an opportunity to witness theopening hour ofDragon Age: The Veilguardat Summer Game Fest 2024. That section of the game was about as linear as the introductory segments of the past series entries, with BioWare stating that the game will eventually open up as the story progresses. However, at no point willDragon Age: The Veilguardturn into a full-fledged open-world experience. That’s according to BioWare Game Director Corinne Busche, who said as much in a recent IGNinterview.
The upcoming RPG has instead been envisioned as a “mission-based” experience, the official said, noting how every single aspect of the game has been “hand-crafted” and “highly curated.” That design philosophy is how BioWare plans to deliver “the best moment-to-moment experience” possible, Busche said. The developer has already been hinting at its narrative-first development approach in recent days, most notably when itditchedDragon Age: The Veilguard’s original name,Dreadwolf, citing a change in the game’s story focus as the reason for that decision.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Hub Area Will Be Called the Lighthouse
Despite not having a fully open world, the fourth mainlineDragon Agegame will still be non-linear. Aside from branching story choices, the RPG is also confirmed to feature a number of larger levels that offer exploration opportunities. Optional content in the vein of side quests and various secrets will also be part of the package, as is to be expected of aDragon Agegame. The RPG’s mission-based structure wouldn’t be complete without a hub area in the vein ofDragon Age: Inquisition’s Skyhold fortress. This time around, the player’s base of operations will be called the Lighthouse.
Based on Busche’s comments, it sounds likeThe Veilguardmay feature fewer giant open areas thanInquisition, but still more thanDragon Age 2. Whether that assessment is accurate should be clear before long, as the much-anticipated RPG is set to hit the market in fall 2024. EA has yet to attach an official release date toDragon Age: The Veilguard.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
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.
