Today we’ve got many huge development stories on Dragon Age 4, from its current shape and milestones to its potential release window. You best brew a cup of tea or coffee, strap yourselves in, because we’ve got many exhilarating updates to talk about.
Good Shape/2023+ Release Window:
First up, we’re jumping straight into Dragon Age 4’s very good shape and its potential release window as reported by VentureBeat journalist Jeff Grubb, who provided an unofficial update on the next Dragon Age during his latest episode of GrubbSnax. Before we get into what he said, while this is news isn’t from BioWare officially, I very much trust Jeff Grubb, he has a good reputation and validity among the video games press industry. So, while we shouldn’t take his words as the gospel truth, it’s still very credible.
Anyway, Jeff Grubb said that Dragon Age 4 is in very good shape, they're hitting their milestones. The game is on schedule, which is about 18 months out from today. He expects it to release maybe late 2023 at the earliest.
Jeff said, “Overall, when they look at where they’re supposed to be at [in the development cycle], they are hitting their milestones and where they’re supposed to be, and the game is on schedule.”
Based on Grubb’s sources, Dragon Age 4 is unlikely to be released until the second half of 2023 at the earliest.
“It is still at least 18 months out from today, so not early 2023, maybe late 2023, maybe. That seems to be the earliest you can begin to expect it,” he said.
Grubb also claimed there are no plans for a remastered Dragon Age trilogy similar to Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
He said this is partly because the Dragon Age games aren’t as linked as the Mass Effect trilogy in terms of being one complete story, and were also built with different engines, meaning more work would be involved in updating them.
So far, Jeff Grubb’s reports are consistent. Last year, he reported that Dragon Age 4 is expected for a 2023 release window. Even further, according to Jeff, we’ll start hearing more about the next game in 2022.
BioWare have always delayed their games. Many companies have delayed their games these past years since the pandemic. Given that. it’s safe to expect a delay on the next Dragon Age.
So, I would say while 2023 would be fantastic, let's not get to excited just yet. I honestly would say keep your expectations at a bare minimum on a release in 2023, and most likely in 2024.
I genuinely hope the next Dragon Age spends more time in its production stages, and doesn’t have a release window for 2022. And I mean that, if we get a trailer this year with a release window for 2022, I will be slightly worried and apprehensive depending on the contents of that hypothetical trailer because I think this game needs more time in the oven. Like Shigeru Miyamoto said: “A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad.”
I completely understand why so many people are upset and saddened when they hear the next game may take longer because we’ve all been waiting so long already. However, please remember that it’s only been two years since BioWare released Anthem. That’s only two years since the majority of the Dragon Age team returned to work on the next Dragon Age - which is another indicator towards its current production.
Maybe Anthem’s tools and codebase have helped the production continue at a faster pace - the developers haven’t built the next Dragon Age from scratch which has saved time and resources, but there’s still so many other factors to consider: the recent live service turnaround, no crunch conditions, pandemic difficulties, BioWare’s previous mistakes, etc.
With that, I ask that you give BioWare and the Dragon Age team your patience knowing that the next Dragon Age is already on loose hinges, however, the developers are doing all they can to create the best Dragon Age possible given the circumstances and tumultuous times we live in. The team has said many times that when they can, they will share so much about the next game, they’re excited to show things off, but for the moment, we’re just going to have to wait and let the teams do what they’ve got to do without putting any pressure or advocating crunch.
Eric Vervaet said why not talk about both Mass Effect and Dragon Age, both are shaping up well:
Someone shared their hopes that Dragon Age 4 would get situated before BioWare talk about the next Mass Effect. BioWare Director of Audio, Eric Vervaet replied, “Why not both? ;) Dragon Age is shaping up nicely, not to worry.”
BioWare Hiring & Departure:
January 10th marked Sez Young’s first day at BioWare as a Technical Animator.
On January 22nd, Andrew Johnson, EA’s Manager of Core Community for Star Wars and BioWare titles left EA. Andrew was a fellow Twitter mutual and I’ve spoken with him a few times, at one point, he gave me a free Anthem code during the first lockdown. He’s always shown kindness, I’m absolutely wishing him the best in his future endeavours.
Fun Teases:
Gareth David Lloyd tweeted, “Back in the home studio recording… #secrets.”
Jen Cheverie Cott tweeted, “My favourite thing about showcases at work is everyone hyping each other up in the team slack channel.”