Most studios would be happy challenging themselves to tackle either a brand new game engine on a new platform, a greater emphasis on rounding out supporting characters, a stronger commitment to character creation, the addition of a multiplayer component, and a sweeping world-altering story some felt lacking from the last in the series. Apparently, attempting all of them isn’t enough for BioWare, since modern RPGs require more work than ever.
In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, executive producer Mark Darrah explained that while the franchise may only be hitting its third entry, the connection to BioWare’s roots - and the investment by their core fans - makes Dragon Age Inquisition a unique creature. But whatever a studio’s experience (even BioWare’s with the Baldur’s Gate series) with fantasy RPGs, there’s no ignoring that the world has changed since the release of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim; and their team has acted accordingly:
Pleasing the hardcore while keeping the masses engaged is never easy, especially since the game world itself does much of the work in appeasing both. The emphasis on using the sprawling game world and immersive environment to add to the story extends to the sounds of Thedas as well, not just the sights. With the release of Inquisition’s official theme, audio director Michael Kent explained that the music, too, will be learning from Dragon Age II and Origins. And yet again, show players just how much impact their actions are having on the world around them:
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The goal was to inform the player of the impact and worth of their actions through aural feedback when interacting with the world. By making the world believable and captivating through audio, this will help completely immerse the player as they explore the Dragon Age world.
The developer clearly has a weight on its shoulders, but they pursue this launch with the knowledge that they are charting a course for the company as a whole. Engine issues aside, the studio’s solution to bringing new players (and forgettable ones) up to speed on story - known as Dragon Age Keep’ - is expected to be used by future BioWare games as well. In fact, curious fans can try it out right now.
If the idea of Inquisition addressing prior complaints was in doubt, Darrah states it plainly by explaining that Mass Effect followed a formula of expanding and evolving certain gameplay elements and philosophies from the start of their trilogy to the end. But the fan reactions and feedback regarding Dragon Age II mean a different course for the fantasy series altogether - news sure to be well-received by many:
The wait is almost over for Inquisition, so fans and critics alike will soon learn how well BioWare has managed their gargantuan task. Will you be picking up a copy to find out for yourselves?
Dragon Age II had a lot of experiments in it, some of which I’m glad we did but some of which were very big mistakes. Dragon Age II had some very experimental storytelling in terms of the very personal story, not a big, threatening overarching villain. I’m glad we did that but those are all very challenging from a storytelling perspective.
Dragon Age: Inquisition releases November 18, 2014 for PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
Source: GI.biz, EA
