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Post by The Elder King on May 8, 2024 17:19:10 GMT
title of this May 8 article says: Dragon Age: Dreadwolf set to arrive by next March, according to report
Now I know why No-News-Bio became No-News-Bio. Not surprised at the delay...
All they said is based on the reports from yesterday, it's set to arrive by next March because the game is slotted to be released in the fourth quarter. There's no indication of the month it'll be released in that timeframe. It wouldn't also be a delay because they never announced a release date to begin with.
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Post by The Elder King on May 8, 2024 15:43:53 GMT
ME3 and MEA released in March and Anthem released in February. Granted, we know that MEA and Anthem had really wonky dev cycles and ME3 was delayed probably due to the whole ending rewriting, but so far Dreadwolf has also had a really wonky dev cycle. Patience will reveal all in the end, I suppose. Yeah, no, that's what I'm factoring in as well. I really doubt EA wants to schedule releases in their Q4 because they can use that quarter as a grace period if the games in development NEED a little more time; keeps the games in the same fiscal year, as opposed to having a game slip from Q4 of one fiscal year to the next fiscal year. Indeed, it makes sense. They can try to aim for November (which I think they at least were) and slip into early 2025 if needed.
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Post by The Elder King on May 8, 2024 12:43:43 GMT
Yeah I get it. This was me last year for a second but then just went through all the arguments that I've had the last few years here and they still apply. Its frustrating, sure, but in the end they gotta do what they gotta do and in the end based on the way things were going this was an easily to predict outcome. Breadcrumbs or not at least we got *something*. Now we just have to wait another few weeks, maybe a month or two, to find out the answer to...well most of our questions lol. I am glad someone got it. It's just frustration is all. I didn't expect a trailer or EA execs to talk about the game but I guess what I wanted and did not get was an explicit statement that "Dragon Age Dreadwolf releases this fiscal year." That's it. That's all I wanted. Instead I got "Unnamed IP to release" which an insider who does not work for the company says is Dreadwolf. That's not exactly a definitive and leaves plenty of room for BioWare to just not give us anything altogether this summer and later say "we just were not ready despite what we said." If that happens, though, it means the project is going through some troubles, which is also going to cause issues with EA, given that I don't think their credit is unlimited at this point. I get that it wasn't something definitive last year, but the way they talked about revealing the game this summer is far different then any statement they made before about Dreadwolf, and it shown some sort of confidence, given that they said that with months in advance. If they won't show anything, it's very likely, again, that there is some substantial development issues going on. I do agree that just saying that Dreadwolf would release this fiscal year isn't a big deal and wouldn't have stolen the spotlight from the summer reveal, but I can also see why they'd just wait for the reveal itself. In any case,
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Post by The Elder King on May 8, 2024 6:25:33 GMT
ME3 and MEA released in March and Anthem released in February. Granted, we know that MEA and Anthem had really wonky dev cycles and ME3 was delayed probably due to the whole ending rewriting, but so far Dreadwolf has also had a really wonky dev cycle. Patience will reveal all in the end, I suppose. There would be a massive impact on the combat if you can no longer directly control your companions: if your PC goes down, it's game over. You can't have a companion pick them back up again so you have to restart your entire combat round, a la Mass Effect. I am not a fan of that and it would be a significant departure from how combat has functioned in the series thus far. Companion tactics aren't the only thing to take into account when doing direct control vs AI. Its true we haven't seen that mechanic in a BioWare game so far so as far as the simplest explanation is concerned that is a concern...but there are games that do do that. Namely in my experience the Ghost Recon latest games don't have any control of the AI squad beyond giving them orders and if the player goes down they have a chance to revive you. Granted a chance, not a gurantee, and if you and your squad all go down then its game over but it would be interesting to see if BioWare is able to incorporate something like that both for future DA games and ME games. Maybe Far Cry to? The fear, I guess, is that the wheel would be similar to Inquisition and Andromeda, in the sense that you can't actually use it to cast spells or use abilities. Inquisition required you to get in tactical mode to do so, for example. While I guess it could technically amount to some use, if you can just cure yourself or summon mounts, that won't be what most people look for when pausing the game. I get that it'd still be real time with pause, but if you can't use it to use your companions' powers, or your own, you're still be forced to fight in real time, and that's not accounting the fact that, compared to the last game, you also lose the ability to move your party as you wish through the tactical camera/view. Which still means you have to show and those changes and clearly state what you can and can't do. This can be very well done with hands-on, but it needs to be shown either way. Sure I do get that. But there is a huge linguistic difference between this mechanic does not exist in the game at all and this mechanic exists but maybe in a different form then in previous games. Like be concerned about things and do what you gotta do to calibrate your expectations accordingly but don't...spread mis information I guess is the best way to put that. Plus in the end there is enough wiggle room in re reading the leak and the commentary to make one wonder if they go full on back to the DA 2/ O way. Its doubtful but there is certainly room within the quote for us to go in either direction, other then it being pretty much confirmed some sort of time bending wheel is going to be in the game. I didn't mean to spread misinformation, I simply remembered the detail on the pause/wheel wrong. I apologize, in any case. There was the possibility of them to get back on how things where in earlier games, I guess, after the shift to SP, but I didn't get the same impression. In any case, we'll find out soon enough.
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Post by The Elder King on May 8, 2024 5:51:06 GMT
Yep, in theory, once could very well play DA games by using only the MC and not pausing already, but they'd still be big changes for the franchise, given the way you could play until now, and they need to clearly state them out, to at least inform the players about them. The only thing that changed, from what I recall, was that the party is still composed by four characters, as the same leaker earlier suggested that the party is composed by 3 characters. From my interpretation, and the discussions that came out of that leak, it seems there isn't any option to do something when pausing/there isn't a tactical camera option. Granted, things might've changed, especially because the original ones could've been related to a playtest that happened before or right after the shift to SP (if the game was MP-only during the live service part, or at least heavily leaning towards MP, I can see why they wouldn't implement a tactical pause/care/wheel regardless), but the leaker reiterated that concept recently (when he mentioned the 4-men party), and from what a user on resetera that also talked about the playtest suggested in some threads, I think they didn't change this part. I do personally hope they'd be wrong or not up to date, but we'll see. From the first leak (source: insider-gaming.com/exclusive-new-details-on-dragon-age-dreadwolf-revealed/)"As for combat, one source, who recently played the game, suggested that it was more akin to a hack n’ slash compared to past games, and the game’s combat wheel is similar to that of the one in Final Fantasy 15." From the second leak (source: old.reddit.com/r/dragonage/comments/10tniyz/spoilers_alloc_i_have_seen_dragon_age_4_alpha/)"Player has their regular combo attack and then their abilities as well as a special bar which generates allowing you to pull off a special move. I don't really understand the comparison to FF15's wheel. It's standard Dragon Age ability wheel." So do this in part for my own edification because it seems I have been mishearing/ mis reading/ misremembering things a lot lately so A. I wanted to make sure I really did read this and wasn't imagining it and B. wanted to help clear up the misconceptions, again, which seem to have taken root around here. Now in addition to my stated disclaimers already and given how sketch leaks are for legal reasons I will mention this is provided largely without context and thus its hard to know exactly what he means by his comments here. Like will it be like the Witcher 3 (at least the original game if memory serves) or Final Fantasy 7 remake project and the wheel will only slow down time and not fully pause it? And its also interesting he mentions that it will be like a 'standard DA wheel' but the wheel hasn't been standard between all three games. Like will this by like something you will be able to command your squadmates and have them cast abilities, as well as your own abilities/ potion usage ala DA O, DA 2, and the MET...or will this be like DAI or MEA where you had a much more stripped down wheel, in Inquisition's case only to summon your horse and use potions and in Andromeda's case only to switch weapons and profiles. BUT it is clear that it is in there in some form and while there is some room for interepretation with 'standard DA wheel' the fact is that, at least at the time of that particular commenter saw, they had a wheel which does strongly suggest real time with pause. The fear, I guess, is that the wheel would be similar to Inquisition and Andromeda, in the sense that you can't actually use it to cast spells or use abilities. Inquisition required you to get in tactical mode to do so, for example. While I guess it could technically amount to some use, if you can just cure yourself or summon mounts, that won't be what most people look for when pausing the game. I get that it'd still be real time with pause, but if you can't use it to use your companions' powers, or your own, you're still be forced to fight in real time, and that's not accounting the fact that, compared to the last game, you also lose the ability to move your party as you wish through the tactical camera/view. Which still means you have to show and those changes and clearly state what you can and can't do. This can be very well done with hands-on, but it needs to be shown either way.
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Post by The Elder King on May 8, 2024 5:24:10 GMT
Unless the leakers have fooled us, the combat system seems to be centered on one character, in the sense that you can't control the rest the party, and is not fully action without the possibility to pause in combat. I'd say those are big changes. Yes, I do think the teasers we got could be compared to what we got with the Fires Above, although in the latter we did see some important characters from the game. Aside of Solas, which we already knew we'd have gotten, we haven't really see anyone else. And I think they can't really be compared with JS's trailers because those were all, even the teasers, made with scenes from the game. I think we might get less companions overall then Inquisition, and I do think it's not a bad idea to keep some of them secret. I do get what you're saying about diminishing return, although you'd still invest money to showcase the game through hands-on from journalists. Either way, I think they need to showcase the game more then a couple trailers do get what they need from Dreadwolf, sales wise. I do think it'd be weird to highlight last year this year's presentation and then just drop a trailer, so I do expect something at the same time of the 'reveal' trailer, although I'm not sure if it'll be about mechanics or story. But we'll see. Now I will preface what I am going to say with the disclaimers of 1. I could be wrong and 2. even so they could've easily changed their minds since the leaks or even because of the leaks, one way or the other, but... One the first point its not going to be as big of a change from how I play the game since I detest switching to other characters in an RPG and find Dragon Age's insistence on forcing it on the player is one of the series worse aspects. In the grand scheme a fairly minor annoyance that really does not effect my enjoyment of it, more like a bur in the foot then anything, but it can be realllly annoying. The second change is the one I am not sure about. Yes, its something I keep on seeing be repeated on here from people, and yes that would be a huge change if they did take away any pausibility during combat...but I just don't see them doing it and my read of the leaks suggests that such a system is already there. We'll have to wait for official media to be sure, maybe even the game itself, but at this point if they announce that a tactical camera or at least a wheel isn't in the game I would be literally mystified. Yep, in theory, once could very well play DA games by using only the MC and not pausing already, but they'd still be big changes for the franchise, given the way you could play until now, and they need to clearly state them out, to at least inform the players about them. The only thing that changed, from what I recall, was that the party is still composed by four characters, as the same leaker earlier suggested that the party is composed by 3 characters. From my interpretation, and the discussions that came out of that leak, it seems there isn't any option to do something when pausing/there isn't a tactical camera option. Granted, things might've changed, especially because the original ones could've been related to a playtest that happened before or right after the shift to SP (if the game was MP-only during the live service part, or at least heavily leaning towards MP, I can see why they wouldn't implement a tactical pause/care/wheel regardless), but the leaker reiterated that concept recently (when he mentioned the 4-men party), and from what a user on resetera that also talked about the playtest suggested in some threads, I think they didn't change this part. I do personally hope they'd be wrong or not up to date, but we'll see.
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Post by The Elder King on May 8, 2024 4:28:43 GMT
I checked, and it had 5 trailers, although the last one was not really a game trailer, but one showcasing Cameron Monaghan and Mark Hamill. The first of the other 4 was called a teaser, but they were all longer then 1 minute, and all made with in-game scenes from the game. I don't think the ones we got so far from Dreadwolf could be put in the same category of those, so I'd expect at least three trailers. I'd also think that, for the full reveal and beyond, they might showcase the game like, for example, they did with Inquisition during the summer before the reveal; or in any case, dropping more informations on the game on the site. Aside of the different confidence EA might have had in JS then it might have now in Dreadwolf (considering the recent pasts of the software houses, and the fact that JS was coming out quite close to its prequel, it seems likely), the latter also have to show more compared to the former: from a very different combat system to companions, I do think that they'd need to show quite a bit. Whether they'll do through their own game footage beyond trailers, or using a demos or previews/hands on from gaming journalists, I don't think they'd limit themselves to just a couple trailers. Especially if their expectations, sales wise, are quite high. Your post does prove the point on what they want to do. I'm not convinced the combat system is going to be that different from Inquisition at least, but then they do need trailers/ showcases to help answer that question. As for where we are though I do think you are right. We've already basically had almost as many trailers for Dreadwolf as they did for Jedi Survivor in its entierty but Thedas Calls, the Solas trailer, the Game Awards trailer number 2, and the Dread Wolf Rises trailer all...as I've mentioned...all basically count as the first trailer or at most the first two trailers from DAI, the Fires Above and the one with the Cello. And then we've had a behind the scenes thing which also barely counts. From what I hope to see though from them? You are right. I really think it would behoove them to, maybe during the big reveal maybe later, do two seperate trailers/ demos showing off the combat mechanics and then another one showing off the RP mechanics. Then from there unless they do it for the RP show case a show case on the character creator. From there and following on from Inquisition I would expect maybe one more trailer about an misslaneous mechanics (like crafting?) and then a small trailer based on each companion, though for Inquisition they only showed off a few of them. Then a story trailer, a trailer focussing on the protagonist/ antagonist(s) like with DAI, then the launch trailer. And keep in mind a lot of this could be combined or just ignored and we don't know how many companions we're going to get. Though on the flip side we have diminishing returns because the more they do the more money it will cost and as I mentioned some of this just might not be that effective to sell games. Unless the leakers have fooled us, the combat system seems to be centered on one character, in the sense that you can't control the rest the party, and is not fully action without the possibility to pause in combat. I'd say those are big changes. Yes, I do think the teasers we got could be compared to what we got with the Fires Above, although in the latter we did see some important characters from the game. Aside of Solas, which we already knew we'd have gotten, we haven't really see anyone else. And I think they can't really be compared with JS's trailers because those were all, even the teasers, made with scenes from the game. I think we might get less companions overall then Inquisition, and I do think it's not a bad idea to keep some of them secret. I do get what you're saying about diminishing return, although you'd still invest money to showcase the game through hands-on from journalists. Either way, I think they need to showcase the game more then a couple trailers do get what they need from Dreadwolf, sales wise. I do think it'd be weird to highlight last year this year's presentation and then just drop a trailer, so I do expect something at the same time of the 'reveal' trailer, although I'm not sure if it'll be about mechanics or story. But we'll see.
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Post by The Elder King on May 8, 2024 4:02:55 GMT
I doubt they're going to release only two trailers before launch, it'd be an absolutely insane decision, marketing-wise. I do get having low expectations, but I think it'd be a lackluster reveal even for the most pessimistic person if they just show a 1-minute trailer. I am at least reasonably sure that Jedi Survivor only got like 3 trailers so it is possible. Granted the thing with that is that A. I think EA would be a lot more confident with JS then they would be with Dreadwolf and B. there might a lot more of them TO show off and C. I do wonder if EA thought it was a mistake to go that soft on a marketing campaign. Even still we have seen a lot of games I think recently not do that much for their marketing because games and marketing seem to be hard things to hit. You don't really get good marketing going unless people see *actual* gameplay and not trailers...more watching lets players and then demo the game rather then trailers. So it is possible we might only get a few actual trailers/ demos and they'll leave the rest up to gaming journalists and lets players to feature the game. I checked, and it had 5 trailers, although the last one was not really a game trailer, but one showcasing Cameron Monaghan and Mark Hamill. The first of the other 4 was called a teaser, but they were all longer then 1 minute, and all made with in-game scenes from the game. I don't think the ones we got so far from Dreadwolf could be put in the same category of those, so I'd expect at least three trailers. I'd also think that, for the full reveal and beyond, they might showcase the game like, for example, they did with Inquisition during the summer before the reveal; or in any case, dropping more informations on the game on the site. Aside of the different confidence EA might have had in JS then it might have now in Dreadwolf (considering the recent pasts of the software houses, and the fact that JS was coming out quite close to its prequel, it seems likely), the latter also have to show more compared to the former: from a very different combat system to companions, I do think that they'd need to show quite a bit. Whether they'll do through their own game footage beyond trailers, or using a demos or previews/hands on from gaming journalists, I don't think they'd limit themselves to just a couple trailers. Especially if their expectations, sales wise, are quite high.
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Post by The Elder King on May 7, 2024 23:07:31 GMT
Well, not from EA at least. But there were several questions about it that were sidestepped, and we have the bottom text from that one slide that says "...and one owned IP title, which is not included in the above table. We expect to provide more details on timing at a later date." I saw some people zeroing in on the "Partner" game in Q4, but it bears reminding that EA outright owns BioWare and the Dragon Age IP, so if it's one of the two unannounced games, it's the owned IP that is anticipated to have more details at a later date. A later date... like... a full reveal in the summer... Here's the full report: ir.ea.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2024/Electronic-Arts-Reports-Q4-and-FY24-Results/default.aspxAnd where you can access slides and etc: ir.ea.com/home/default.aspxTranscripts will soon be available here: ir.ea.com/financial-information/quarterly-results/default.aspxIf we really want to stretch it, the following quote could be alluding to DA:D despite the "lighter" release schedule: Of interest, the fiscal year for EA (as has been shared here before, but for quick reference/reminders/edification for new people who don't know) begins every year in April and ends every year in March of the following calendar year. The quarterly breakdowns are as follows: Q1: April 1st - June 30th Q2: July 1st - Sept 30th Q3: Oct 1st - Dec 31st Q4: Jan 1st - Mar 31st One interesting thing about EA these days (which I've seen pointed out in several places) is that as a publishing company it tends to not double up on releases in months. If this holds true, then for the Fiscal Year 2025 (Apr 1st 2024 - March 31st 2025)-- Tales of Kenzera (Apr 23 2024) EA Sports F1 24 (May 31 2024) EA Sports College Football 25 (July 9 2024) Madden 2025 (August 16 2024) EA Sports FC 25 (September 27 2024) EA Sports NHL 25 (October 8 2024) That leaves June 2024, November 2024, December 2024, January 2025, February 2025, and March 2025 unclaimed. We can pretty much rule out June 2024 for DA:D for pretty obvious reasons, leaving us with Q3 (November, December 2024) and Q4 (January, February, and March 2025) as possible release dates. But: 1 of those partner games is slated for release in Q4 as well, so we can rule out 33% of Q4 (Jan-March 2025) for DA:D. 50/50 chance of Q3 vs Q4, as it currently stands. November is more likely to me than December, just based on BioWare's own release history -- and Q4 imo is only gonna happen it for some reason the dev schedule slips. I personally didn't expect anything except "yes it is coming out this fiscal year" and that's ultimately what I got, so I am satisfied lol
Good analysis.
Silence from No-News-Bio is the ordre du jour until the Big Bang Reveal which includes the launch date (my understanding). This event is expected to give us a DA4 trailer.... the usual 57 secs? .... possibly another one before launch.
My interest is the game's early access, if there is one. A week prior to launch?
I doubt they're going to release only two trailers before launch, it'd be an absolutely insane decision, marketing-wise. I do get having low expectations, but I think it'd be a lackluster reveal even for the most pessimistic person if they just show a 1-minute trailer.
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Post by The Elder King on May 7, 2024 23:05:39 GMT
I think there are more chances that the reveal happens around July and July then September, to be honest, given the usual cycle of summer reveals, and the possibility to showcase the game (if in a good state) at some events. If the reveal happens in September, I think that it's unlikely the game is going to be released this year. I get aiming for a short development cycle, and it can be successful, but they also have to face the reality of the disengagement from the franchise after 10 years of wait. Certain circles of the fandom are not disengaged, however absurd that seems. Most of the fans I've followed on various social media for the past decade come flocking back every time we get a scrap (just like I do, obviously. Granted, I tend to follow other lore-obsessed people, so not your average fan I suppose). However, with regard to new people whose first crpg was BG3 or something, *maybe* a longer marketing campaign would be useful? Or maybe not. The internet doesn't have the longest attention span these days. I'm going to put on my clown makeup and hope it will be Nov or Dec of this year. I'm not saying that every fan of Dragon Age isn't interested anymore, but there are definitely a part that is wary or not interested due to the the time that passed and all the issues Bioware had. Although I was more referring to the average player/fan of Bioware games. I think a short marketing campaign can work, but not one that is 2-3 months short, with the reveal happening in September and the release in November-December. Especially considering EA's expectations (hopefully not too ludicrous), they do need attract new players, and I don't think they'd be able to do in the way they need in 2-3 months. A reveal in July-July and release in November would still count as a short marketing campaign, in my opinion. And as I said earlier, I do think there are good chances that they've been at least aiming for November, even if they'll end up releasing the game early next year, because of special anniversaries of this year.
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Post by The Elder King on May 7, 2024 22:33:23 GMT
He's been saying for months that their plan is to release Dreadwolf this year, even if it's not certain yet. And if the owned IP is Dragon Age, it's possible they're not sure yet if the game is going to be release this year or early next year. Summer 2024 ... we have until September at the latest to find out if "the end is near". I think there are more chances that the reveal happens around July and July then September, to be honest, given the usual cycle of summer reveals, and the possibility to showcase the game (if in a good state) at some events. If the reveal happens in September, I think that it's unlikely the game is going to be released this year. I get aiming for a short development cycle, and it can be successful, but they also have to face the reality of the disengagement from the franchise after 10 years of wait.
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Post by The Elder King on May 7, 2024 22:27:35 GMT
I don't think the one that makes the decision of when to talk about Dreadwolf are lurking there, though. From what Jeff Grubb and others said, the owned IP they talked about is Dragon Age, so if they're right, the game is going to be released in 2025, at the latest, at least in their intention. By wha Who is Jeff Grubb actually getting his info from? The receptionist/admin at BioWare Edmonton or someone at the level of Corrinne Busch? Just asking cause a lot seem to put faith in him and I am just curious as to whether it's been established who he is getting his dope from? I don't think any 'insider' is going to reveal their sources. I wouldn't say I necessarily put full faith on him or any other insider, but his track record on Dragon Age has been consistent, and his words match the fact, to me, that Bioware said with months in advance that they're planning a big reveal for Dreadwolf in the summer. If things wouldn't have gone badly or they were still behind, they could've been more vague or simply say that they'd show the game 'sometimes soon', as they did before. And given the special occasion of possibly releasing Dreadwolf in the 10th anniversary of Inquisition and 15th of Origins, it's not a stretch that they'd be trying to release the game this November. Granted, this doesn't mean that things might not be going badly now. We'll just have to wait and see for what they'll shown in a bit. I think either way, we'll have a good indication on the state of the project, regardless if good or bad.
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Post by The Elder King on May 7, 2024 22:20:55 GMT
*Just saw Jeff Grubb comment. Ok, do we trust Jeff Grubb? Really? 100% because they could be blowing smoke up his ass too. FYI: No mention of BioWare or Dragon Age in today's Conference Call... Makes sense besides the name reveal and some for most people meaningless trailers they haven´t shown the game aka really started its marketing.
It has to be Dreadwolf. Maybe this a bad thing and the game isn´t ready for this but fact is EA will not wait forever on this game. Bioware has to release this game at the near future and i would argue that EA surprisingly has given EA plenty enough time. Sure EA also shot Bioware in the back because of this stupid layoffs.
After 2018!!! Game Award Teaser yeah i think this is the year. No more good excuses like a pandemic or i don´t know.
He's been saying for months that their plan is to release Dreadwolf this year, even if it's not certain yet. And if the owned IP is Dragon Age, it's possible they're not sure yet if the game is going to be release this year or early next year. I think it's likely that they're aiming to release a polished game, especially compared to the recent ones, which might be way they're not sure yet on the date, as well as trying to aim for the anniversary release when it might be a bit of a stretch. And as I said earlier, it's not far fetched for EA to want to wait for Bioware' big reveal to formally announce the release date/window.
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Post by The Elder King on May 7, 2024 22:15:03 GMT
FYI: No mention of BioWare or Dragon Age in today's Conference Call...
LOL, I expected something like this.
EA wants No-News-Bio to make the Big Bang announcement.. and the studio will then stand or fall on the result.
I doubt the success or failure of Dreadwolf is going to be related on who makes the announcement of the release date between EA or Bioware. Doing a big reveal could lead to some success in the preorder stage and to boost interest if done right, but ultimately the quality of the game is going to determine its success...well, that, and EA's expectations, sales-wise. Mother ######## Christ **** them!! They know we are looking, they lurk here!! I am losing faith with all of this nonsense! Yeah 2026 is looking a lot more likely. So sick of this. I don't think the one that makes the decision of when to talk about Dreadwolf are lurking there, though. From what Jeff Grubb and others said, the owned IP they talked about is Dragon Age, so if they're right, the game is going to be released in 2025, at the latest, at least in their intention.
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Post by The Elder King on May 7, 2024 20:55:24 GMT
To be fair, revealing the release window for Dreadwolf today would mean little for the marketing or success of the game, because the marketing campaign and the preorders wouldn't start now either way.
And while I think it wouldn't hurt the big reveal if they did it, they had planned the reveal since last year. It makes sense that they'd want to announce everything, including the release date/window, at that time, even more so considering it's not that far away.
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Post by The Elder King on May 7, 2024 20:42:54 GMT
This is what I was expecting, as well. BioWare has a full reveal planned this summer and EA didn't want to steal their thunder. A. I still think it's because they aren't one hundred percent sure of the release date. And B. If you'll notice everything else on there, pretty much, are things we'd know were coming for awhile. Mostly Sports games. *if* DA is the owned ip title EA might still feel its too early to announce it here given their recent history *IE JS*. Probably want to get closer so they can do what they feel is a proper marketing campaign. I think this is quite possible, if they're trying to aim for a November release but they're still not sure if they'll be able to do so. I think they'll also want to be sure the game is more polished then their 'recent' releases.
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Post by The Elder King on May 7, 2024 20:40:35 GMT
Yeah, as much as we were talking about maybe some info this evening, it was also quite likely there'd be nothing. But yep, summer reveal stuff and all that, it'll all be clearer soon (hopefully!) If the game is scheduled to be released this year, we'll find out the release date definitely during the 'reveal' (and in this case it's really unlikely they won't be at aiming for November/the week between DAO and DAI's release). If the game will be released next year, I think there are good chances they'll at least reveal if it'll be released in summer/fall/etc.
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Post by The Elder King on Mar 2, 2024 4:55:16 GMT
BW does like November... Big news. I still think it will be pushed into Q1, but we're getting close. Still, perhaps we can take it as a sign that news coming in the summer isn't yet another honeydick An intended November 2024 target for Dreadwolf makes sense. Going for Nov 8 would basically mean releasing the game between the anniversaries of DAO's and DAI's, with the 15th and 10th mark. My concern is that, while I understand the reasoning behind a short marketing campaign that, with that target month in mind, would be about 5-6 months tops, Bioware would have little time to build up their preorders, something that could be seen as really risky by EA, given that Bioware hadn't released a game in 5 years, with at least the last two not being successfully either commercially or critically, and with all the issues and news on Bioware's troubles that hit in the last few years. The game being announced and never shown also didn't generate a positive expectation, I think, on many people. If they are truly targeting a November release, I do think the reveal they planned since last year is going to be huge. They need to show a lot right away.
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Post by The Elder King on Mar 1, 2024 18:59:26 GMT
They might decide to hit the anniversary of Inquisition, given that it's 10 years since that game. Or even November 3rd which is the 15th year anniversary of Origins.
Its like the stars are aligning for BioWare.
So....December 4th would be a good target? they won't release in December. They'd miss BF. If that happens it's gonna be because they delayed and they'll just push it off till next year. I do agree that November is the most likely scenario for a 2024 release. I forgot Origins was also released in November and that it's the 15th anniversary of it release. I think there are good chances they'd release in either date/November and drew the parallels with those anniversaries.
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Post by The Elder King on Mar 1, 2024 18:03:59 GMT
Jeff Grubb says the plan is for Dreadwolf to release later this year So....December 4th would be a good target? They might decide to hit the anniversary of Inquisition, given that it's 10 years since that game.
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Post by The Elder King on Dec 7, 2023 5:33:28 GMT
Eeeh, honestly I never liked it how I can revive my squadmates but moment Shepard or Ryder falls, it's game over screen. Also direct party control provides more tactical options, because it provides the feeling that we are fighting as a team.
While this is a concern and has been a problem with BioWare games different game series with companions/ a squad has shown that it is possible to play a game with single player and have the AI have a chance to revive you, typically on a timer. Namely in the Ghost Recon games. Now this could be something BioWare won't be able to pull off due to gameplay limitations or engine problems or what have you but its certainly possible. Also God of War does have like ressurection stones to there is that. And I firmly disagree with that stance. For whatever the reasons have you be they engine limitations or what not in the context of being an RPG if I am forced to play someone other then my protagonist it does not increase my feeling of tactical gameplay or teamwork. Its hand holding the AI and the gameplay because the devs couldn't figure out how to do a fully fleshed out AI system. This may sound harsh and I don't mean it too harshly, things do happen, its a fact of life. But otherwise tactics for me is assessing the battlefield as my player character and then giving my companions orders on who to attack, possibly depending on the options what powers to use in certain situations, and then at the really high level stuff you have tactical menues and behaviorial cues that have been available in each one of the Dragon Age games. Tactics is not having to jump out of my player created character to control someone else.
No one is forced to take control of NPCs. Those that did and want to, see it as a loss if this feature is removed... Personally, I had fun changing characters.
The trouble is that this, by and large, is not true. At least not true in any Western RPG I've played. The game that comes closesest to being true in is the Final Fantasy VII remake but if its a gameplay feature that you can swap to different companions then very quickly it becomes a situation where you have to, or at least are so heavily encouraged to do so that you'd be deliberatly sabotaging yourself if you didn't. In Dragon Age Origins and Dragon Age 2 if you weren't playing as a rogue character specifically you had to then bring along a high cunning rogue to pick locks. This was doubly annoying if you just so happened to 'forget'. In Dragon Age Inquisition not only was that a thine but you also had to have mage and warriors do similar things with magic and breakable doors. Plus the focus abilities made it so you often had to switch out of your player character during fights in order to use them practically because they were like special movies and thus the AI couldn't have been trusted with them. In Baldur's Gate again in order to get good rolls sometimes you have to jump out of your character and take on one of your companions to get their stat bonusses. I don't see how the issue with BG3 would be fixed by a choice to play the PC alone (and I'd say that the combat system is definitely one where you can't play only as the PC without controlling the rest of your party). Even in the game BG3 was a game where you control only the PC, you'd find yourself in a situation where there'll be almost impossible rolls, depending on your stats. The only class that circumvent slightly the 'issue' (failing rolls in BG3 isn't necessarily a failure) is Lore Bard, with as many skills as you can and as many stat-increasing items as you can place on him. It is a matter of perspective in the end. I do get your point, but there are also many that prefer to control the party and don't find issues in having to switch between PC and party members. I do agree on FF VII Remake, and that game is also one that tries to balance out two different crowds in terms of preference in gameplay better then other games, or DA personally (although it's not a CS liked by all fans); which is why many wanted SE to keep working on the CS for all their future FF games, which obviously didn't happen with XVI. And XVI is an example where many had issues with the complete lack of party control, and I think one of the main criticism in the game. I do think Dreadwolf might have the same issues if they scrap the option to control the party members, but we'll see.
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Post by The Elder King on Dec 6, 2023 12:14:19 GMT
I'm not sure if I'd call it trend chasing, but ME2-ME3's cover system seems inspired to Gears' cover system...and many games with TPS mechanics did after Gears. Skyrim's success (alongside GTA V later on for the whole industry) was one of the reasons, I think, for Bioware and CDPR to approach an open world system for their games, even if different from Bethesda. Andromeda didn't follow NMS in the final product, but the original idea that was changed mid-production was about a procedural exploration game similar to NMS, although I don't think it was inspired by it. NSM had great hype before release, but had a disastrous launch. I don't think that taking inspiration from BG3 would be trend chasing, but more about a return to their roots, but I don't think it'd have affected Dreadwolf's development either way. If Dreadwolf is more similar to, let's say, DAO, it'd be due to a decision taken years ago, after they shifted to fully SP experience; and there aren't any indication of them doing that, at least in term of combat. I do think that not allowing us to directly control our companions, even in the case of a more action-based gameplay, is going to cause issues for Bioware, maybe more then they'd anticipate. Direct Party Control for an RPG has always been an odd design choice for me. Its an odd design choice for Dragon Age. Its an odd design choice for Baldur's Gate. I'd just rather it not be in the game at all and don't mind them losing it, if that does indeed end up being the case. Every second I spend out of the boots of my player character is a net negative. I think it’s a matter of preference, For example, I don’t personally find it odd for RPGs, since it’s been a staple for many RPGs with a party system outside of DA and BG. While it’s not a dealbreaker for me, it’s undeniable that for many players is a core feature for RPGS/DA. FF is a franchise that, despite their change in gameplay between each game, even in regards of action-based gameplay, has a party system as a core feature, which is why SE eventually added the option to control party members in XV, and the lack of such options in XVI (along a very extreme streamlining of RPG elements) lead to a lot of criticism. I think the situation with Dreadwolf could be similar. I definitely get the reasoning for cutting the feature with the kind of gameplay they seem to Have worked on, but it’s doesn’t mean it’ll be overall liked by the fanbase.
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Post by The Elder King on Dec 6, 2023 10:10:54 GMT
I'm not sure how I feel about the game seemingly being the entirety of northern Thedas. I mean, on the one hand: Cool! Obviously. I've always wanted to see the places they're showing. But on the other hand, how familiar will I get to be with Rivain if all I see of it is that ruined port city? We might get more than that, but we also might not. And if we do get more spots in one nation, will they have enough interesting content in them to give depth to the locale? DAI was very hit or miss in that regard. So, I'm ambivalent. It does look pretty, though. And we have at least one confirmed city zone, so yay! I doubt it'll be a functioning city, with NPCs with routines and such, but it will probably be a full zone like Denerim or one of the parts of Kirkwall, and that's more than fine for me. If any city is going to have multiple zones, or subzones, or a lot of complexity to it, I hope its Minrathous. This will be something to keep track of afterall with at least four nations being represented we have at least double the nations from Inquisition. So are these just going to be four giant maps for each nation? Are we going to have double the maps from Inquisitition's number in twenty? We'll just have to see but its going to be interesting to see just how much of Northern Thedas they actually show off. Yeah, no more trend chasing for Bioware please. Its going to be something to monitor as always but the whole trend following also tends to be a bit overplayed. Of course I haven't played gears of war so can't say how much BioWare followed a trend for that with ME 2 and 3...but Inquisition really didn't copy Skyrim and Andromeda didn't really follow No Man's Sky. Some gameplay cues were obviously borrowed but not really direct copy. But the trouble is now that its out there that BioWare is looking at God of War for gameplay advice that any new gameplay change will be because of that no matter if that is a fair characterization or not. I'm not sure if I'd call it trend chasing, but ME2-ME3's cover system seems inspired to Gears' cover system...and many games with TPS mechanics did after Gears. Skyrim's success (alongside GTA V later on for the whole industry) was one of the reasons, I think, for Bioware and CDPR to approach an open world system for their games, even if different from Bethesda. Andromeda didn't follow NMS in the final product, but the original idea that was changed mid-production was about a procedural exploration game similar to NMS, although I don't think it was inspired by it. NSM had great hype before release, but had a disastrous launch. I don't think that taking inspiration from BG3 would be trend chasing, but more about a return to their roots, but I don't think it'd have affected Dreadwolf's development either way. If Dreadwolf is more similar to, let's say, DAO, it'd be due to a decision taken years ago, after they shifted to fully SP experience; and there aren't any indication of them doing that, at least in term of combat. I do think that not allowing us to directly control our companions, even in the case of a more action-based gameplay, is going to cause issues for Bioware, maybe more then they'd anticipate.
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Post by The Elder King on Dec 5, 2023 12:45:17 GMT
Take this with a huge grain of salt, there's a supposed leaker in this discussion thread: www.reddit.com/r/dragonage/s/ojCfN5RNyFThe gist is: Dragon Age Andromeda - characters are snarky and quibby as hell, as if everyone is sarcastic Hawke or Varric. Marvel humor (which already ruined Andromeda for me) basically. - very different from previous games, going to be very devisive, especially the combat which is described as Andromeda melee without guns If that is even remotely true this game will be exactly the kind of trainwreck I feared. Old school BioWare/DAO fans are not the target audience. If this game has writing even remotely like Andromeda, I won't even be getting this game on a discount. Sorry I'm ruining the mood again with my negativity. Thought it was worth sharing the link though. I'd say that, even if true, extrapolating how the full game is going to be in terms of tone from a simple test is too soon. The 'Marvel humor' is something present in every Bioware game to a various degree, and the balance between that tone and lines with more serious one isn't east to ascertain in 2-3 hours. Balance is going to important either way. Combat wise, I do think that it's highly likely the combat will be action oriented (if this leak is true, it's very, very unlikely things would change from that point to release, even if it seems they went from 2 companions to 3, from the first leak to this one), although what kind of combat is quite confusing at this point, as this leaker gave different inputs by mentioning GOW, TW3, and by what you said, MEA without guns. The positive thing about yesterday is that we should know soon enough how the game will be, either way.
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Post by The Elder King on Dec 5, 2023 0:21:37 GMT
Pretty sure those emojis were leaked back in February as well. Is this the same guy posting the leaks? Didn't the previous leak mention you can bring out two companions with you?
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