In celebration of Dragon Age Day 2024, BioWare announced the standalone character creation feature from Dragon Age: The Veilguard, now available for free across all platforms. Players can create a Rook character to transfer into the full game. Owners of The Veilguard will receive a special gift featuring armor and cosmetics inspired by Hawke. Additionally, directors discussed the mixed reception of the game and hinted at a potential fifth installment, emphasizing the franchise’s ongoing evolution.
The Return of Hawke
In honor of Dragon Age Day 2024, BioWare has made an exciting announcement: they are fulfilling a fan request by launching the character creation feature from Dragon Age: The Veilguard as a standalone mode.
This free download is now accessible across all platforms where the game is available, enabling players to craft their own Rook character before seamlessly transferring it into the full game upon purchase.
If you already own Dragon Age: The Veilguard, simply log in to receive a special gift packed with armor and cosmetics inspired by Hawke, the central character from the second installment. Additionally, Patch 4 has been released to address various bugs in the game.
The Future of Dragon Age 5
Alongside these exciting gifts, director Corinne Busche and series creative director John Epler shared their thoughts on the reception of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, both from a critical and commercial standpoint. The ambiguity surrounding the game’s performance has sparked debate, with some labeling it a failure and others heralding it as a success. While the duo refrained from providing definitive answers—leaving that to Electronic Arts—they expressed their satisfaction with the game’s critical acclaim. Busche noted to Eurogamer:
« We are thrilled with how the game has been received critically. Navigating through challenging development cycles and witnessing our team rebound to earn such praise is commendable. It’s a tough road, but we take pride in the recognition we’ve received. On the sales front, however, that’s a topic we can’t delve into. We’ve seen with Inquisition that it can take time for sales figures to build up. »
Dragon Age: Inquisition has become BioWare’s top-selling title, although its initial sales were modest, reaching 1 million copies in its first week. Despite this, BioWare remains committed to the saga and has ambitious plans for the future. The post-credits scene hints at a new threat, suggesting that a fifth Dragon Age installment is a distinct possibility for the studio.
Busche cautions, however, that like its predecessors, this sequel may take a different approach, not necessarily mirroring The Veilguard:
« There are countless stories yet to unfold and many mysteries still to explore. I can only say that this franchise continually reinvents itself. There are parallels to be drawn with the Final Fantasy series; while the two may differ in terms of choices and consequences, both RPG franchises embrace reinvention, making each new installment intriguing in its own right. »
John Epler added his perspective:
« There are still many narratives I wish to explore within this universe. We’ve addressed numerous threads in Veilguard, but we’ve also sown new seeds and ideas. My passion for this franchise, its storytelling, and its characters drives me to continue sharing stories in this world. »
For the Dragon Age series to move forward, it ultimately depends on whether Electronic Arts is willing to invest in a new installment. Meanwhile, BioWare is shifting its focus to the upcoming Mass Effect project, presenting yet another challenge for the studio.