I’m aBioWaresuperfan. Since I playedMass Effect1 back in 2007, I’ve been enraptured by their narratives, and how they make choice andinclusion an important partof their games. But it’s been a hot minute since they’ve had a good moment. I’d argue that their last really good day was with the release of Mass Effect Legendary Edition in early 2021. And while I’ve continued to have agreater air of skepticismaround my favorite developer because of the recent problems with recent releases like Anthem and upcoming ones likeDragon Age: Dreadwolf, this year’s celebration of Mass Effect on November 7 (known as N7 day) was quite the treat.
The next Mass Effect project, currently codenamed “Epsilon,” was given ateaser trailer and coded messagesfor fans to feast on. They were a nice reminder that there is indeed progress being made on the next entry. It was the pick-me-up I needed with all the drama that’s been going on behind the scenes. But what about the Dragon Age franchise?
Coming up on 10 years since the release ofDragon Age Inquisition, the latest iteration,Dreadwolf, has seemingly been through development hell, and BioWare has been silent about the game for a while now. This is why this year’s upcoming Dragon Age Day, on December 4, is so important.
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So what is Dragon Age Day? Started by fans and observed by the developers, it’s an annual event celebrating the series. Just like N7, it’s a day where fans come together to celebrate all things Dragon Age.There’s a websitethat acts as a central hub for the events, and both the developers and the fans have continuously put stuff together to celebrate the franchise. Apart from the streaming parties and social media get-togethers, Dragon Age Day has seen the unveiling of trailers and teasers, such as the introduction of the Dragon Age Dreadwolf trailer in 2020.
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Will they announce something the day before the Game Awards, then drop a trailer with a new release date? I’m thinking they have something brewing, which will spill over into the TGAs. After all, in the past they’ve revealed information about Dragon Age there.
TGA shares a significant history with Dragon Age. Inquisition claimed Game of the Year back in 2014, while the teasing of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf began in 2018 with the “Dreadwolf Rises” teaser. Additionally, the 2020 Game Awards gave us glimpses of both the next Dragon Age and Mass Effect projects. All in all, you can say that the two are joined at the hip.
Given this history, what should we expect from a 2023 trailer? Recent happenings around Dreadwolf—like layoffs, lawsuits, and development delays—have clouded expectations. Layoffs of key testers during this critical stage have left many of us wary of what’s to come. On the flip side, a LinkedIn page of a former animator at EA suggested that the game may be getting a 2024 release date.
Should the 2024 release window hold true, there’s a strong likelihood of a Game Awards reveal this year. This timeframe would provide the team nearly a year to initiate its marketing efforts. Insider Jeff Grubb, recognized for precise predictions, dropped hints regarding a potential appearance of Dreadwolf this year.
Why It Matters
This is important not just for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, but the franchise as a whole. Many of us are findingsafer and more satisfying harborsin the likes ofBaldur’s Gate 3, which has hit it out of the park when it comes to taking BioWare’s formula and refining it. Here’s hoping Dragon Age gets its own “Epsilon” in the next few weeks, and that we see something that finally makes us start believing in the game again.
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