The Daily Populous Wednesday June 12nd, 2024 evening edition
Authored by eurogamer.net and submitted by Darth_Vaper883

Dragon Age: The Veilguard features a far more fleshed out romance and relationship system than in previous BioWare games, the developer has told Eurogamer - including the ability for party members to go off and find their own love interests, should you not be interested yourself.

Speaking to Eurogamer's deputy editor Chris Tapsell at an event in LA this week, The Veilguard's creative director John Epler revealed more of the game's relationship system.

"In Dragon Age games, BioWare games, romance is a core part," Epler said. "We wanted to give each character their own flavour, or their own style, of romance. So some characters may be a little more steamy while some characters maybe a little bit more innocent. But for each one, you can build these relationships.

"And what's interesting in this game is, if you don't romance characters, they may decide to find their own romances for themselves, whether within the team or within the world itself."

It's reminiscent somewhat of how Shepard could walk in on Garrus and Tali locked in a kiss towards the end of Mass Effect 3 - but only if you had chosen not to show romantic interest in either one beforehand.

What sounds like another improvement from previous BioWare games is how a character's romance arc will be better woven into their own personal story arc, and their involvement with The Veilguard's core questline. BioWare has also worked to ensure that getting to know your characters as friends feels just as satisfying - and that just because you're not banging your buddy, their (platonic) relationship with you will still continue.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard screenshot showing its seven companion characters relaxing around a table. | Image credit: BioWare

"One of the things we tried to do with The Veilguard is it's not just romantic relationship building," Epler continued. "You need to get to know a person before you can really build that kind of relationship with them, and if you choose not to build a [romantic] relationship, we never want to feel like you're being cut off. There's no 'okay, well, their arc isn't progressing, I'm done'.

"We want to make sure the non-romantic relationships are deep as well, with friendships not just for companions and yourself, but also between companions across the party."

For much more on Dragon Age: The Veilguard, be sure to read Eurogamer's full preview of the game's opening hour, as well as much more from Epler on lessons learned for BioWare's present - and future.

shinigamixbox on June 12nd, 2024 at 07:48 UTC »

If you don't play this game, they will slowly starve to death. then begin to cannibalize each other, until only the last man standing remains. This is unironically the secret best ending.

Dragos_Drakkar on June 12nd, 2024 at 07:21 UTC »

An expansion of what could happen in Mass Effect 3 with Tali and Garrus then. Interesting to see how that might work out.

TheCrimsonArrow on June 12nd, 2024 at 07:19 UTC »

Oh so like real life, but at least here players might have a higher than “0” chance.