Everything We Learned About Dragon Age The Veilguard in 2020-24
Jan 4, 2021 3:06:54 GMT
Spectr61, vertigomez, and 19 more like this
Post by Heimdall on Jan 4, 2021 3:06:54 GMT
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Updated June 2024: Companion Reveal and Gameplay
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Updated December 2023: "Thedas Calls" Teaser & Full reveal in Summer 2024
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Updated February 2023: Playtest Leaks
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Updated December 2022: No Show at Game Awards, New Short Story, In-Game Cinematic
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Updated October 2022: Dragon Age Dreadwolf Alpha Milestone
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Updated June 2022: We have a Title! Dragon Age: Dreadwolf
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Updated December 2021: See bottom of the post for latest content
Tweet January 8, 2021
Something more you might want to add to your summary. This definitely seems a faction in the next game and bare feet would indicate elven but no way is this Dalish. I've taken to calling them an Arcane Archer.
Also, look at what is happening to the landscape behind them. It ties in with those floating aravels. Either the Veil is coming down next game or we are going to have a flash back to an earlier time. Maybe something confined to Arlathan Forest? That short story indicated weird magic was happening there.
Courtesy of Christian Daily’s Twitter
Between this and the floating aravel concept art, I suspect there may be some remaining hidden enclave of the ancient elves we’ll end up meeting. A flashback is possible, but we did see a character with a similar bow show up in that darkspawn infested area. I’m not sure if this is a new character or perhaps a uniform of this particular group of elves. Though it is noted in Tevinter Nights that Solas has been providing his followers with what sounds like ancient elven armor, so I suppose that’s possible.
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December 21, 2021 Update
So there was very little update this year, so I won’t be doing a roundup video. I only produced two news videos this year since we haven’t gotten much new content.
The first is basically announcing that BioWare wouldn’t be at EA Play 2021 this past summer but at least looks at some new concept art released.
The second covers the new short stories released on DA Day (December 4th) 2021.
Dragon Age Discussion: EA Play 2021 Update
Dragon Age Discussion: DA Day 2021 (New Short Stories)
Summary:
Speculation Videos:
I also have some speculation videos if it interests anyone. These don’t contain new information, just speculations on what we’ve learned to this point. These were recorded before the two news videos above:
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June 2, 2022 Update
Official DA4 Title
My take:
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October 28, 2022 Update
Dragon Age Dreadwolf Alpha Milestone Official Blog Post: www.ea.com/games/battlefield/battlefield-2042/amp/news/alpha-milestone?fbclid=IwAR2JmED1fFUy0t-cIMpi5BNeQCiIjQjeH_FN0walN5QZw-Lpr2sdufkL_00
My Take:
Dragon Age Dreadwolf Alpha Milestone:
- Dreadwolf is playable from beginning to end
- Many aspects of the visuals and gameplay systems are far from a finalized state
- devs seem excited to show us Minrathous
- General consensus seems to be a late 2023-early 2024 release window.
——————————————
December 21, 2022 Update
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf was a no show at the video game awards 2022, but the devs did release a new short story on the website and revealed a work-in-progress in-game cinematic on Dragon Age Day.
“As We Fly” Short Story: www.ea.com/games/dragon-age/news/as-we-fly
In-Game Cinematic:
My take:
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December 21, 2022 Update
Coverage of the leaks from earlier this month. Avoid if you want to go in blind, but there isn’t much in the way of plot leaks:
This is what I consider the most reliable takes from the leaks of the past few weeks. Potential spoilers for those that want to go in blind:
- Distinct action shift for the combat, God of War 2018 used as a reference
- 4 Character Party, but no direct control of companions as of these playtests
- No tactical camera or top down view
- Ability wheel allows players to select abilities for allies to use, similar to Mass Effect
- “Andromeda with Melee” as one leaker described
- One mission will involve an attack on Weisshaupt Fortress by red Lyrium infused darkspawn and a dragon
- The Player Character’s name is “Rook” (Possibly a code name rather than the character’s actual name)
- Grey Warden may be a background option for the PC
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December 31, 2023 Update
A new teaser:
An analysis of the "Thedas Calls" Teaser released on Dragon Age Day earlier this month, as well as the Next Mass Effect teaser from N7 Day.
As far as the Dreadwolf News Goes:
- Confirmed Locations:
- Possible confirmation that the "sea monsters" from earlier concept art are associated with the Rivain location
- Full marketing reveal set for summer 2024, suggesting a late 2024 release or early 2025 release depending on how long they want the marketing cycle to be
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June, 2024 Update
The marketing push has officially begun, with a new companion trailer launching with an associated press release. The title has officially been changed to Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Gameplay and more will be added in the coming week. The game’s release is set for Fall 2024.
ir.ea.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2024/Unite-a-Team-of-Heroes-to-Defeat-Rampaging-Elven-Gods-in-Dragon-Age-The-Veilguard-Arriving-in-Fall-2024/default.aspx
As far as the companions go:
- Companions:
- The trailer also seemingly confirms Minrathous, the Grand Necropolis, and Arlathan Forest as locations we’ll probably visit.
20 Minute Gameplay reveal from the first hour of the game
My coverage:
The additional article: www.gameinformer.com/exclusive/2024/06/25/breaking-down-dragon-age-the-veilguards-classes-and-factions
Not much new, except that specializations are connected to specific factions (no points for guessing which “Death Caller” is tied to) and the Mirror of Transformation will be in the Hub, allowing us to change character appearance. Xenon will not be happy.
Updated June 2024: Companion Reveal and Gameplay
——————————————
——————————————
Updated December 2023: "Thedas Calls" Teaser & Full reveal in Summer 2024
——————————————
——————————————
Updated February 2023: Playtest Leaks
——————————————
——————————————
Updated December 2022: No Show at Game Awards, New Short Story, In-Game Cinematic
——————————————
——————————————
Updated October 2022: Dragon Age Dreadwolf Alpha Milestone
——————————————
——————————————
Updated June 2022: We have a Title! Dragon Age: Dreadwolf
——————————————
——————————————
Updated December 2021: See bottom of the post for latest content
——————————————
The video is long, but there’s a concise summary of the conclusions below
What we knew before 2020: (0:15)
Dragon Age Tevinter Nights: (2:56)
2020 EA Play Teaser: (22:00)
Behind the Scenes Trailer: (22:25)
DA Day Short Stories: (34:31)
Bioware 25 Years DA Morrison Page: (38:43)
2020 VGA Trailer: (40:21)
Dragon Age Tevinter Nights: (2:56)
2020 EA Play Teaser: (22:00)
Behind the Scenes Trailer: (22:25)
DA Day Short Stories: (34:31)
Bioware 25 Years DA Morrison Page: (38:43)
2020 VGA Trailer: (40:21)
TLDW:
- New Protagonist:
- The new protagonist will likely be a Lord of Fortune, which have been shown to be human, elf, or dwarf (and presumably qunari)
- The Inquisition has employed Lords of Fortune already in fighting against Fen'Harel
- Varric has continued to serve the Inquisition including working with Lords of Fortune, and will likely return as an advisor
- The new protagonist will likely be a Lord of Fortune, which have been shown to be human, elf, or dwarf (and presumably qunari)
- Possible Companions:
- Evka Ivo (dwarven grey warden)
- Lucanis Dellamorte (antivan crow)
- Strife (dalish elf, possibly an agent of the Executors
- unknown undead mage
- unknown hornless qunari
- unknown human male (rogue?)
- unknown female qunari
- unknown human female (mage?)
- Evka Ivo (dwarven grey warden)
- Prominent Locations:
- Tevinter - Venatori remnants remain an issue in Tevinter hunted by Tevinter Templars, Fen'Harel's agents are still active
- Unknown Red Lyrium Region - Cold region with Ferelden architecture seen to be infested with red lyrium and red lyrium infected darkspawn
- Antiva - The Qunari have attacked the crows directly, the crows are going on the offensive
- Nevarra City & the Grand Necropolis - No distinct plot threads, but they have been features too prominently not to be relevant
- Weisshaupt Fortress - All available Wardens have been summoned to Weisshaupt for unknown reasons
- Arlathan Forest - Magical disturbances have been occurring in Arlathan forest, in particular around sites connected to Ghilan'nain
- Tevinter - Venatori remnants remain an issue in Tevinter hunted by Tevinter Templars, Fen'Harel's agents are still active
- The 'sea monster' is a creation of Ghilan'nain not a god (theory):
- Ghilan'nain herself should still be trapped in the Fade until the Veil is removed, but sites related to her are becoming active
- The giant serpent monster is likely a surviving creation of Ghilan'nain, one of those spared her original extermination, which could explain the magical activity
- The gray pools (Horror of Hormak) are specifically noted to smell of brine, seawater, which could suggest the influence of this sea monster
- Ghilan'nain herself should still be trapped in the Fade until the Veil is removed, but sites related to her are becoming active
- The Dread Wolf's Plan:
- Fen'Harel's plan involves using the red lyrium idol, which is likely in his possession
- The plan seems to involve influencing the spirits of the Fade en masse
- Solas is actively encouraging the conflict between the qunari and Tevinter
- Fen'Harel's plan involves using the red lyrium idol, which is likely in his possession
Tweet January 8, 2021
Something more you might want to add to your summary. This definitely seems a faction in the next game and bare feet would indicate elven but no way is this Dalish. I've taken to calling them an Arcane Archer.
Also, look at what is happening to the landscape behind them. It ties in with those floating aravels. Either the Veil is coming down next game or we are going to have a flash back to an earlier time. Maybe something confined to Arlathan Forest? That short story indicated weird magic was happening there.
Courtesy of Christian Daily’s Twitter
Between this and the floating aravel concept art, I suspect there may be some remaining hidden enclave of the ancient elves we’ll end up meeting. A flashback is possible, but we did see a character with a similar bow show up in that darkspawn infested area. I’m not sure if this is a new character or perhaps a uniform of this particular group of elves. Though it is noted in Tevinter Nights that Solas has been providing his followers with what sounds like ancient elven armor, so I suppose that’s possible.
——————————————
December 21, 2021 Update
So there was very little update this year, so I won’t be doing a roundup video. I only produced two news videos this year since we haven’t gotten much new content.
The first is basically announcing that BioWare wouldn’t be at EA Play 2021 this past summer but at least looks at some new concept art released.
The second covers the new short stories released on DA Day (December 4th) 2021.
Dragon Age Discussion: EA Play 2021 Update
Dragon Age Discussion: DA Day 2021 (New Short Stories)
Summary:
The new concept art points to definitive Antivan Crow involvement. That isn’t surprising, but it’s nice to have more confirmation.
The new short story gives us more Evka Ivo, a dwarf character originally introduced in Tevinter Nights. She has married her elven warden friend Antoine and apparently still hasn’t gotten to Weisshaupt since then. Given how much she’s showed up, there’s a good chance she’ll be a prominent character if not a companion.
The other short story involves two necromancers. It may hint at a plot involving two people connected by affection beyond the grave, but perhaps most importantly it takes place “thirty years ago” in 9:22. This implies the present (and starting date of Dragon Age 4) is 9:52, 8 years after Trespasser.
The new short story gives us more Evka Ivo, a dwarf character originally introduced in Tevinter Nights. She has married her elven warden friend Antoine and apparently still hasn’t gotten to Weisshaupt since then. Given how much she’s showed up, there’s a good chance she’ll be a prominent character if not a companion.
The other short story involves two necromancers. It may hint at a plot involving two people connected by affection beyond the grave, but perhaps most importantly it takes place “thirty years ago” in 9:22. This implies the present (and starting date of Dragon Age 4) is 9:52, 8 years after Trespasser.
Speculation Videos:
I also have some speculation videos if it interests anyone. These don’t contain new information, just speculations on what we’ve learned to this point. These were recorded before the two news videos above:
Dragon Age Discussion: Plots of Dragon Age 4 - Tevinter
Dragon Age Discussion: Plots of Dragon Age 4 - Nevarra
Dragon Age Discussion: Plots of Dragon Age 4 - Antiva
Dragon Age Discussion: Plots of Dragon Age 4 - Grey Wardens
Dragon Age Discussion: Plots of Dragon Age 4 - The Executors & Monsters
Dragon Age Discussion: Plots of Dragon Age 4 - The Inquisition & The Dread Wolf, Solas’ Plan
Dragon Age Discussion: Plots of Dragon Age 4 - Nevarra
Dragon Age Discussion: Plots of Dragon Age 4 - Antiva
Dragon Age Discussion: Plots of Dragon Age 4 - Grey Wardens
Dragon Age Discussion: Plots of Dragon Age 4 - The Executors & Monsters
Dragon Age Discussion: Plots of Dragon Age 4 - The Inquisition & The Dread Wolf, Solas’ Plan
——————————————
June 2, 2022 Update
Official DA4 Title
My take:
——————————————
October 28, 2022 Update
Dragon Age Dreadwolf Alpha Milestone Official Blog Post: www.ea.com/games/battlefield/battlefield-2042/amp/news/alpha-milestone?fbclid=IwAR2JmED1fFUy0t-cIMpi5BNeQCiIjQjeH_FN0walN5QZw-Lpr2sdufkL_00
My Take:
Dragon Age Dreadwolf Alpha Milestone:
- Dreadwolf is playable from beginning to end
- Many aspects of the visuals and gameplay systems are far from a finalized state
- devs seem excited to show us Minrathous
- General consensus seems to be a late 2023-early 2024 release window.
——————————————
December 21, 2022 Update
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf was a no show at the video game awards 2022, but the devs did release a new short story on the website and revealed a work-in-progress in-game cinematic on Dragon Age Day.
“As We Fly” Short Story: www.ea.com/games/dragon-age/news/as-we-fly
In-Game Cinematic:
My take:
——————————————
December 21, 2022 Update
Coverage of the leaks from earlier this month. Avoid if you want to go in blind, but there isn’t much in the way of plot leaks:
This is what I consider the most reliable takes from the leaks of the past few weeks. Potential spoilers for those that want to go in blind:
- Distinct action shift for the combat, God of War 2018 used as a reference
- 4 Character Party, but no direct control of companions as of these playtests
- No tactical camera or top down view
- Ability wheel allows players to select abilities for allies to use, similar to Mass Effect
- “Andromeda with Melee” as one leaker described
- One mission will involve an attack on Weisshaupt Fortress by red Lyrium infused darkspawn and a dragon
- The Player Character’s name is “Rook” (Possibly a code name rather than the character’s actual name)
- Grey Warden may be a background option for the PC
——————————————
December 31, 2023 Update
A new teaser:
An analysis of the "Thedas Calls" Teaser released on Dragon Age Day earlier this month, as well as the Next Mass Effect teaser from N7 Day.
As far as the Dreadwolf News Goes:
- Confirmed Locations:
- Antiva (Treviso)
- Rivain (Unknown Seaside Ruin)
- The Anderfels (Weisshaupt Fortress)
- Possible confirmation that the "sea monsters" from earlier concept art are associated with the Rivain location
- Full marketing reveal set for summer 2024, suggesting a late 2024 release or early 2025 release depending on how long they want the marketing cycle to be
——————————————
June, 2024 Update
The marketing push has officially begun, with a new companion trailer launching with an associated press release. The title has officially been changed to Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Gameplay and more will be added in the coming week. The game’s release is set for Fall 2024.
ir.ea.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2024/Unite-a-Team-of-Heroes-to-Defeat-Rampaging-Elven-Gods-in-Dragon-Age-The-Veilguard-Arriving-in-Fall-2024/default.aspx
As far as the companions go:
- Companions:
- Bellara, a creative and romantic Veil Jumper obsessed with uncovering ancient secrets.
- Davrin, a bold and charming Grey Warden who has made a name for himself as a monster hunter.
- Emmrich, a necromancer of Nevarra's Mourn Watch who comes complete with a skeletal assistant, Manfred.
- Harding, the dwarven scout, returns to the fray as a companion with her big heart, a positive outlook, and a ready bow – as well as unexpected magical powers.
- Lucanis, a poised & pragmatic assassin who descends from the bloodline of the House of Crows, a criminal organization renowned throughout Thedas.
- Neve, a cynic fighting for a better future, both as a private detective and a member of Tevinter's rebellious Shadow Dragons.
- Taash, a dragon hunter allied with the Lords of Fortune who lives for adventure and doesn't mind taking risks
- The trailer also seemingly confirms Minrathous, the Grand Necropolis, and Arlathan Forest as locations we’ll probably visit.
20 Minute Gameplay reveal from the first hour of the game
My coverage:
The additional article: www.gameinformer.com/exclusive/2024/06/25/breaking-down-dragon-age-the-veilguards-classes-and-factions
Not much new, except that specializations are connected to specific factions (no points for guessing which “Death Caller” is tied to) and the Mirror of Transformation will be in the Hub, allowing us to change character appearance. Xenon will not be happy.
