What would you prioritize development on & what would you be willing to cut to get a good game out the door? Lets pretend that DA4 has to be out by March 2023 & only started proper production January 2021 (which might be the truth
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My list would be as follows for what has to be in the game & what I'd reluctantly cut.
Has to be in the game:
Story:
Resolution of the Solas plotline
Cameo appearance of the Inquisitor that is more substantial than Hawke's appearance in DAI.
Exploration of Tevinter's culture & political landscape.
Establish a spy/dissident network of allies based on the players choices.
Cameo appearance from Fenris & Dorian.
Gameplay features:
Sprint button & increased general movement speed!
Improve the tactical cam from Inquisition.
Touch up some of the stock animations.
Have levels be the liner & similar in scope to DAO.
What I would be willing to cut/ limitations I'd accept:
Story:
No post final mission content/ gameplay. You get an epilogue then go back to before the last mission.
I would reduce the number companions to a minimum of 6.
Only characters from the previous games that appear would be Solas, the Inquisitor, Varric, Fenris & Dorian. Everyone else gets a codex entry.
Questlines would end in an "A or B" fashion only, where the consequence of the player's choice is immediate, squad chit chat a bit afterwards but it doesn't affect the rest of the game until the end mission/ epilogue.
Tevinter gets fade nuked so none of the choices carry over to DA5 in a meaningful way.
Gameplay features:
Ability to customizable companion armor appearance.
Limit race selection of the protagonist to human & elf.
I'd keep the gameplay to running around, talking to people & fighting things.
No climbing, sneaking, horse riding or swimming.
Sandbox zones like those in Inquisition would be cut entirely.
Its a basic outline, but that would be my list of priorities/ concessions if development went to hell. What would you guys be willing to cut + what would have to be in the game no matter how bad crunch got?