Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is now Dragon Age: The Veilguard

I was with you in good faith earlier when you were telling everyone to wait for the Gameplay Reveal. I wasn't bothered by "the" Title change or the Trailer art style because that's not really Narrative-critical. I wasn't pissed at change and it didn't destroy my faith in the Game.

But the big Gameplay Reveal you were asking us to withhold our judgement for... seems like a dealbreaker for me? Going from 3 Companions to 2 effectively cuts down more than 66% of Party Banter; as instead of three pairs of interaction combinations plus full-trio interactions, we ONLY get interactions between our one pair of Companions. I don't see how this inspires faith in the Narrative's "canvas size", or gives the writing Team enough room to work within. Now, the primary way to actually get to know our Companions seems to be through their Quests(?), but it doesn't seem like our Companions will actually be getting to know each other - which is what 3-Companion Parties did so well. Player Characters are hardly ever able to freely Banter because it could disrupt immersion, so I'm not expecting Rook to step in and fill the Banter-void created by this direction.

You can delete my comment or tell me if it's rude and I'll delete it myself, I know the last thing interesting to you is unrequested critique of decisions you didn't make, I just wonder if you could provide some kind of Game Dev general insight into how these Gameplay Decisions are not a deathblow to the Narrative's available space to grow.

At first I was definitely worried about the late name change but with everything that has come out about the game since then I do believe Bioware's reasoning on why the name was changed. As far as the title is concerned I think Veilguard works much better as a title than the Veilguard.
The gameplay reveal yesterday has left me quite optimistic for the game as well, it feels like Dragon Age, the new combat looks amazing. It's a game I am looking forward to playing one day, I won't be able to play it at launch due to my PC being too old but it will be a priority once I can get a new one.

I'm mostly nervous about non-DA fans not finding the name appealing. "Dreadwolf" is at the very least an intriguing name in a "metal band-sounding" sort of name, while "Veilguard" means very little without context. But ultimately for me, the name could be named anything and I'd still play it.

Im actually really looking forward to this and i like the name! I’ve been a die hard DA fan since origins. And yes as much as i would like a direct sequel….i like that it’s not… what i mean is, the reason i love dragon age so much is the characters and the bonds i create with them. I hope that DA:TV is still going to expand on solas’s story In some way even if small (i romanced him in DAI) and I do want to see Solas and Inquisitor have some sort of reunion, but i also want to create new bonds with the new characters and see how the story plays out with a different characters perspective. We already played the Inquisitor, its Rooks turn now

(Sorry for the long comment, im very passionate about dragon age 🥹😂)

Thanks for clearing that up Mark
It set a bit of my worry at ease
In regard of the tone of Veilguard
Is it closer to DA2, Inquisition or neither?
I feel like I couldn't get a good read

I'm so stoked. I think Inquisition has aged extremely well, and this looks to be following in its footsteps of having a unique tone, look, and combat while focusing on deep story, choices, and characters. Can't wait to dive back into the world of Thedas. Thanks for all of your work!

i thought about the so called gameplay showcase of Dragon Age The Veilguard and i have to say: I really, like REALLY miss DA Origins. What happened back then? Why did you guys decided to make that unnecessary jump from Origins to DA2? back then i thought "okay its an experiment and they come back to Origins" but then Inquisition happened which made some things better and some things worser. But it still was somewhat a Dragon Age game even it lost the gritiness etc. And now we have The Veilguard which looks pretty and is overall really solid but it completely lost the vibe and is nothing like Origin was. The game others and me hoped it would finally come somewhat back again. So could you tell me two things please, if you have the time: 1. Will the game get better and more DA Origins or at least Inquisition like but darker later in the game? And whatever your answer here is: Could you tell your other colleagues to PLEASE either come back to Orgins roots with the next DragonAge or make a remaster of DA Origins? PLEASE. whoever is in charge really has to rethink what made this series great and what the identity of Dragon Age is and if it even has an identity. Cause the game looks really great from what i saw but it really isn't "Dragon Age" and missed the mark hard here - at least from the gameplay and trailer and especially combat i saw. respectful regards

Indeed, changing the game's very name, especially this close to release, with all the confusion and complication (and complaints, because let's face it, gamers are a whiny bunch lol) it might cause, simply because the devs feel the new name is a better fit for the story... It takes the level of artistic care I expect from a narrative-driven game.

I was very cautiously optimistic for this game, but almost everything I've seen about it these last few days are making me confidently optimistic. Can't wait to lose myself in Thedas once more <3

Sounds too close to Failguard in a “oh no the kids are going to be relentless with their teasing” kinda way.

Aside from that totally understand the benefit of added clarity.

hell of a time to revive the drake meme

Can you talk about what might have been the process behind the Gradians of the Dragon Age trailer, everyone disliked? Why in you're opinion the tone felt so off for so many people? And why did the team choose to go in that direction?
It just feels like this trailer unnecessarily primed a lot of people to dislike the game, and I was wondering how a company might miss the mark so much.
Thanks!

Characters written by Mary Kirby... I don't know if I can buy this game, no matter how good it is.

I like "DAV"

looking forward to more DA greatness, my custom Rook character and how this version of game's classes work, get me a new party member husbando learning their backstory and sex scenes, alternate storylines from impactful choices. Roll credits, do it all again different ways for 100s of hours of fun. Seriously can't wait, hope development is smooth for that fall release.

No, Mark, it was indeed a dumb decision, especially along with the facepalm cinematic trailer that presented the "Suicide Squad"-like insufferable bunch.

In just a couple of days EA reinforced in a large audience the idea that Bioware has thrown away a lore-based iconic character (probably the biggest one they had since DA:O) for a bunch-of-nobodies "cool kids" in a clumsy attempt to make the franchise more palatable to teenagers.

Since thankfully how to abbreviate the name is up to us, I personally will abbreviate Dragon Age: The Veilguard into Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. It does sound better, after all...

Still not over the name change. It's just not as impactful

DAVe was my go to acronym as well!!

I love the name change. Not that Dreadwplf was a Bad name, but it had made me feel like the game was more for Solasmancers than for everyone. I am glad to know that Solas is a big part of the story, but the focus is on the companions in this game.

Darrah has spoken DA-TV

Mark, can you please tell me if we can use more than 3 abilities per turn? Please sont break my heart!

hello Mark, my concern with the game is that the Trailer at it's core, shows what the game actually is about. The name "Dreadwolf" for years created the impression that the game is a sequel, which obviously the Team now see it an issue and changed it, BUT, the gameplay reveal does the exact same thing, and when we'll get the game, we'll be like, "ok, what is this ?" because obviously a Game is more than it's Story.

And another thing, in Inquisition, the Protagonist has actually a great arc with getting a mark he didn't want and so on, while Rook? is kind of boring, he's basically there to fix other people's problems, not the best arc.
For the people that played the previous games, might be a pass, but for a new player the question is "who are these people, why should i care about them, and how about you fix your own problems" type of reaction.
btw I hope no one calls me Rook? not the best name in my opinion.

EDIT: forgot to mention, the game looks amazing from what we saw, great work to the team.

Wish you all the best, take care.

So, the image on the front of the pink book. Is that the Lighthouse?

It makes sense now. But I know nothing about Dragon Age, so... One thing I do think is that it should've become known as this from the reveal and "Dreadwolf" should not have been made so "official" in a way. I mean, I don't think it was said to be a working title, was it?... I don't remember, but everyone already kinda settled on it, so I can see why it could annoy people. - We're just in this weird world of all information all the time and people are gonna take things for... granted, or like a permanent thing. I mean, if you look at that purple "Dreadwolf" title image, it looks very official and final, as it's stylized and everything, so you'd think that's just it forever after. - I'm not saying you CAN'T change it, I'm definitely FOR it if it makes sense, but it has been out there for so long now that it's gonna cause some ripples, especially among the most cynical. - Anyway, just my thoughts.

I hope the story also focuses a little on the Qunari conflict againts Tevinter. And we can see our dear sten again, now as an arishok.

And of course I want to see my platonic love again: Leliana. With my warden alive. cross the fingers guys ❤🥹

Dragon Age: Woke age. Looks like it's made by the HR department. I won't play this **.

From the gameplay I have the feeling that Solas may become ally of the Veilguard. That would also explain the title change 😏

we all know that dreadwolf is solas veil were solas lock away the gods diffrance game play than inquisition were most powerful game play was done work on our skill trees if it open world game im looking forward it

As someone who never felt Dreadwolf fit in with the line up- I love the name change. Also, we don't want another DAII situation when it comes to people thinking its a direct sequel so I think the name change is great! Could drop the "the" though.

I think Dragon Age is already an innacurate name for the first game already, because there's only one dragon and it's called "Archdemon" throughout the whole story.

The name is fine but the reveal could have been better. People knew nothing about the game other than its name and a teaser from years ago. Then the trailler tone was completely off, and the name was different, I was even thinking this could be a spin off or something. And the trailler is fine, but it shouldnt be the first we get after 10 years of nothing.

Edit: other than that, it seems to be going on the direction I wanted, no open world, character driven, I also heard promissing things about the character creation, and Im also hoping it gives as much emphasis on the background of the character as it seemed to do in the trailler. Im on the "I prefer the old combat style" camp but that was a lost battle already ahahah

Im over the grevence that we will never have a another dragon age like origins that improved upon it while being true to its genre. But reading about veilguard and the devs bringing back things like player backgrounds, more impactful choices, more rpg like quests instead of the tiring fetch quests with a large open world. It seems like dragon age is finally moving itself from it being a generic mobile mmo bs and more like an actual rpg again, its been so long since I've been excited for a bioware game glad too see they are starting to get back on the right track

Also question it seems like the player only has 3 abilities at a time i hope this isn't the case even inquisition had 8 abilities origins and 2 had a ability wheel for all unlocked abilities that was the best, is this the case?

... DAVe is my fav one

Mr. Darrah, how do you feel about how the game has turned out? Do you feel like this game still has the soul of the world you and other veteran dragon age designers worked on? I’m torn, I’m so excited about this game (literally my only downside is the not open world, but I’ll get over it), but it also almost feels wrong because the people who shaped this universe are gone now for the most part

I hope it doesn't bother you, if I say something else: The story theme is regret. I hope it isn't to sad. But it sounds like you haven't lost the hope in the story. So hopefully it is okay for me.

I like the name Dreadwolf but, to me that would imply the major focus would be on Solas. The Veilguard clearly puts a focus on the main group and the main character, so for that reason I think it makes more sense.

I'm still a bit sad that DAD got lost on his way home from the store with the milk. I'm not sure about this new DAVe guy that Mom is seeing, but I'll give him a chance.

I don't know if I agree their putting characters first when they didn't even bother making them look cool

Thanks for the really nice breakdown ^^ immediately Veilguard sounds 10x more exciting to me than Dreadwolf, I'm pretty happy they decided to change it as it gives me a small sliver of hope that this game will be okay and won't be a stain on the franchises name.... Though I'm still pessimistic lol. I wish they went back to more traditional roots from DaO, especially after what I saw in Bg3, I think those type of games are truly just amazing and I'm worried that we'll be getting a "fortnite-ified" version of dragon age....

Dunno if this is a spoiler, but is there a reason why the previous title was written as "Dreadwolf" when it was typically written as "Dread Wolf" in the preceding games? Was this meant to imply something in particular?

With all due respect to you personally sir, This's all a bullshttt .... When they announced release date this's a step forward, When the game available for Pre order then this's a great step forward, All other things ( gameplay, Trailers, Informer, Books, meetings...etc) all are ridiculous.

This looks absolutely awful.. This is the 1st DA game thay I have zero intention of buying, or playing... And here I thought it couldnt get any worse than Inquisition

Such a shame.. Origins is in my top 3 all-time favorite games.

In hindsight, I disliked DAI so much so, that it left me with a much more favorable view of DA2. Ive just finished Origins for th 16th time since its release, and will likely play DA2.. Though Ive never been able to get myself to play Inquisition a 2nd time

That's hardly an issue compared to the loss of one companion slot or the redesign of elves, demons, and who knows what else.

I disagree about the game change have to be about us and the group...Dragon Age : Origns isn't about the origin of the main character and the companions, but the origin of the evil plaguing Thedas and the origins of every problem in Thedas. When I first look at the name, I have questions, "what origin? The origin of what? The beginning of something?", the story tells us the origin of things in the intro...Dragon Age 2 supposedly named Exodus, and we know why throughout the game, isn't about Hawke migrate to Kirkwal, but it's about the effect of people exodus into Kirkwall during and after The Blight. Only Dragon Age : Inquisition named after the group we're representing in the game; it is fine because the name is cool and there was real historical undertone that help to build up the hype. The Veilguard however sound so meh, cheap, unheard of, and uninteresting. They should stick to Dreadwolf and the game must be heavily about Solas exploits. I think they change it is because they have no idea how to continue the story after the cliffhanger and want to throw it into garbage can quick.

Im really hoping that the character creator will launch as a demo a couple weeks before launch so we can jump into the game roght away. Can't to see what the team has been cooking.

Veilguard do not say anything.

Whe you first came at with Origin the trailer were Duncan say men and wpmen from every race join to defeat the ancient evil, Darkspawn. A trailer is promotion material.

So what is Veilguard the titel do not say anything. Why should we guard the veil since it seperat two world. Is the veil good or bad.

Dreadwolf do have issues since the Dreadwolf do not say anything for what the player are going to do in the main story.

The Veilguard trailer was one of the worst things I ever seen and the gameplay looked super generic. Bioware is dead.

"veiljumpers" and "the lighthouse" - horrible words, based on that and the reveal trailer, heavy doubts about the game.

I remember when we had Wardens and Darkspawn, those were the days.

Dragon Age Dreadwolf is now....not Dragon Age anymore. Is it really a Dragon Age.. let me rephrase it.. is it really a Bioware game if player choices are not important anymore, only 3 previous choices impact the game really? Not my Dragon Age anymore that's for sure. Beyond disappointed the more trailers drops and the more IGN unveils the game the more distant i feel from the games and universe i spent so much time in the past.. future doesn't look bright.

If you pronounce the title in the most German way possible, it would sound someting like "Failguard" to an English speaker 😂