During my recent visit to BioWare’s Edmonton office, I had the opportunity to learn more about Dragon Age: The Veilguard from game director Corinne Busche. One thing that stood out to me was the studio’s focus on inclusivity throughout the game’s design. This commitment to inclusivity is evident right from the start in the character creator, which is hailed as the best in the series’ history and one of the most robust in the gaming industry.
The character creator in Veilguard offers players a wide range of options to customize their player-controlled Rook, from hundreds of sliders to the ability to choose pronouns separate from gender. This level of customization reflects the inclusivity of the game and allows players to truly make their character their own.
In addition to the character creator, the inclusivity of Veilguard is also reflected in the game world itself. For example, one of the companions, Neve Gallus, is an ice mage and private detective with a prosthetic leg. This representation of diversity is a welcome sight in the world of gaming.
Before diving into the gameplay, players have the opportunity to customize their playstyle through a screen that offers various options affecting how Veilguard plays. Players can choose from different difficulty settings, or playstyles, such as “Storyteller” for those more interested in the narrative, “Adventurer” for a balance of story and combat, and the challenging “Nightmare” difficulty. While most difficulties can be changed during gameplay, Nightmare is a permanent selection.
There is also a unique difficulty option called Unbound, which allows players to customize their gameplay experience to suit their preferences. From adjusting aim assistance to changing combat timing and enemy pressure, players have the flexibility to tailor the game to their liking. These options are not considered cheats but rather tools to ensure that players of all abilities can enjoy the game.
Busche mentioned that players can expect similar accessibility and approachability options throughout Veilguard, although specific details were not available during my demo. Overall, the focus on inclusivity and customization in Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a step forward in making gaming more accessible and enjoyable for all players.
For more exclusive details, interviews, and video features about the game, be sure to check out the Dragon Age: The Veilguard hub.
