#game: DAV hype

[ellstersmash]

Hey! 3, 7 and 10 from the DATV asks? 💕

3. Do you usually play as a warrior, mage, or rogue? Which class are you planning to try first this time around? Which subclass?

I prefer to play as a rogue because I like the quick melee, and am planning to play as either a Saboteur or Duelist rogue for my first Rook.

7. Which character from the previous games or other media are you most hoping will make an appearance in DAV?

So I already mentioned that Cole is on my mind; next up is MERRILL. Please Bioware where is she and what projects has she been lending her brilliance to??

10. Which location are you most excited/hoping to explore in-game?

Honestly I can't wait to spend time poking around in any of the Tevinter-based locations (like Minrathous; I hope we get more than just the first mission there). Their totally different applications of magic compared to southern Thedas are fascinating to me.

DAV Hype Q&A

[fenharel]

i'm being serious right now. we who are excited for veilguard need to be even louder than we already are. why do i open steam or youtube or twitter and keep getting jump scared by those "anti woke" "you ruined dragon age" cockroaches. i think every time we see that crap we need to start spamming our excitement. even if its just a simple "can't wait to play!!" or something like that. fight this stuff with love, you feel?

[bramblewizard]

I can't lie, with DA:TV releasing soon I'm starting to feel a little melancholic. We're going to get the answers to everything we've been speculating about for the last 10 years, all loose ends will be tied. (Assuming that this will be the last game of the franchise which I kinda suspect)

Don't get me wrong, I am BEYOND HYPED but like... 10 years of theories, tinfoiling, theorising, nit picking at dialog and wall frescos. Never TRUELY knowing the extent of solas' plan, his past, what the evanuris did etc. Let's be honest, the not knowing has, in part, kept us hooked for years and I'm just a little sad that it'll all come to an end.

Idk. The fact that this game I know nothing about yet has been on my mind for a good chunk of my adult life is actually coming out this year has got me feeling every feeling on the spectrum...

[mohntilyet]

oh the way you draw illario, i fear i am weak

thank you <3 i'm afraid this shit is terminal for me, when he goes "you chose the wrong dellamorte" girl i can in fact be convinced otherwise

[bearlytolerant]

9, 16, 19 for DA4 ask!

Thank you for these asks! I finally sat down to get them answered.

9. Which romance, if any, do you plan to pursue first?

Solas with my lavellan. I kid…unless.

Then Varric. I kid…u n l e s s.

The real answer is I’m torn. Everyone looks lovely! But I’m going to need to get to know them better in game before I can actually make any decision on who I’m romancing first. Unlike prior games, everyone I’ve seen in the new game is starting on the same level (even though I’ve got some snippets of chars from writing but I need more to go on).

16. What's one crack theory you subscribe to (yours or someone else's)

I don’t know. Probably none. Even my own I’m not fully subscribed to. A boring answer I know but I’ve got nothing. I’m just hoping we get some solid answers in the next game but it’s dragon age so—I expect I’ll get 12 more questions for every 1 I get an answer to.

21. Are you planning to replay any of the previous games, watch Dragon Age: Absolution, or read any of the books/comics/short stories, or are there other games you want to play in the meantime?

Yes! I booted up a new playthrough of da2 and Inquisition already. I have 3 of the comics to finish and I’m also working through Tevinter Nights again currently. I won’t read any of the other books though. Will probably watch absolution again too because I’ve only seen it once so I feel like a second time I’ll be able to glean details I missed prior from the show.

I’ve included vacation photos that Cole took of Sarya in the Elvhen ruins:

[nanowatzophina]

EVERYONE SHUT THE FUCK UP.

DRAGON AGE VEILGUARD

EVERYONE WHO IS POO-POOING IT BEFORE IT'S EVEN OUT, I SHAKE MY FINGER AT YE.

I WILL TAKE WHATEVER THEY GIVE ME CUZ I JUST WANNA GO BACK INTO THEDAS

AND THAT TRAILER WAS AWESOME.

Elven Mage Rook that's hella Autistic Coded and stilla total Bad Ass, I'm SO EXCITED TO MEET YOU-- Love you babes!!

i'm so excited and i everytime i search up that trailer on youtube to watch it again i just see fifty videos with titles that make it look like they're complaining about the game *already* which i don't understand--

Anyways. Imma be optimistic and so fucking ready to explore the world and be so happy.

I am grateful for this food. Thank you, Bioware. And I just wanna throw my lil bit of positoovity out there.

i can't wait to meet these characters and design my rook and just have fun with it. Cuz it's a video game and it's meant to be FUN.

i'm STOKED.

[ndostairlyrium]

6, 8, 9, 10 for the Veilguard hype asks!

Oh hi! 💛

The meme

6 - Do you have your Rook(s) planned out to any degree? If so, would you share some details or ideas you have?

I don't have much, actually! I just know I want to pick the Grey Warden faction, but I'm very tempted to pick the Mourn Watch only because of Ankh fangirling in the back of my head - and Shaan having actual experience with them

8 - What faction are you most excited to learn more about?

All of them!!! Except the Crows, but that's because I'm a bit iffy when it comes to criminal organizations, even if it's fictional :'

Wardens and Mourn Watch are first on my list tho!

9 - Which romance, if any, do you plan to pursue first?

I'm eyeing at Harding so much hahah

But I don't know, I'll have to see them in action first before deciding. Last time I planned something like this in a BioWare game, it went *horribly* :'D

10 - Which location are you most excited/hoping to explore in-game?

Oh, Antiva! Absolutely Antiva! Rivain and Weissahupt are close second and third **

-

Thank you for asking ;u;

[danielnelsen]

so. how on earth is veilguard nominated for an award for accessibility when you can’t turn off any flashing effects?? like i get that there are other aspects to accessibility and sure it’s better than any previous games for controls and ui and all that. but especially with such fast-paced action, it’s definitely the worst in the series for photosensitivity

[kaija-rayne-author]

I am truly happy for you if you liked Dragon Age Veilguard.

And it would be nice if people could respect the fans who are disappointed or broken hearted.

I adore the diversity of DAV.

And that doesn't give the devs or the game a pass on shitty writing, poor fighting design, and just crappy attention to the lore.

Even killing off Southern Thedas (which includes everyone we knew and loved from those areas) is a choice a lot of people struggle with.

For some players, it might be the 'every new dragon age sucks' thing.

Except I didn't play them as they came out. Only years later. It's not the hype or hatred affecting my disappointment with the game. I stayed under media blackout during the entirety of my playthrough, so my review thoughts would be just my own.

What I'd like to see is a little respect from both sides of the equation (I'm not talking about the racist/anti queer review bombers.) I'm talking about people who have played the game and have legitimate issues with it.

If I can be happy for people who enjoyed it? Others can be slightly empathetic with people who didn't for whatever reason that isn't a complete asshole reason.

I'm broken hearted, disappointed, and wondering what the actual fuck about that game. I'm neurodivergent, queer AF, and non-binary. I'm allowed my feelings about DAV being awful.

It's called respect for other people's experiences. I feel like I'm in mourning for something I legitimately loved (the world of THEDAS), and that so many people are just blowing off my thoughts and experiences with DAV as whiney childish behavior.

It's just as true that some people are legitimately disappointed with the game for reasons that aren't racism/anti-queer/thrashing about change.

Multiple things can be true. It's true that some people enjoyed the game and liked the message. I can respect that even if I don't get it.

People are all different. Meaning our experience of media is all different.

Why is this a hard concept?

[shadovvheart]

I'm still struggling to bring myself to continue my second playthrough. Partially due to some memory leak issues, but also because... i am bored. I hype myself up because i want to spend time with my rook, but as soon as i open the game up and look at the quest log, i go "eugh, not again". Which is insane considering the amount of ungodly hours i spent on all three previous games.

More bitching under the cut cus i feel heated now 🙈

I'm just sad because. I definitely had my issues with previous games too, i had many criticisms with da2 and dai and there's a good share of lost potential in those, but most of it was due to lack of development time/resources.

But one thing stayed consistent though: complex, nuanced worldbuilding, lore, well-written characters, interesting dynamics and relationships between all of them. Darker narratives with some humour and wholesomeness sprinkled on top as a palette cleanser. This is the only franchise where I've been super invested in its politics and religion (except for maybe mass effect cus it had all the same things that made da good). On top of that, crafting my worldstates by making different choices and seeing what changes they bring in the next installment was a fun little thing to do. So even with all the flaws i enjoyed the shit out of these aspects in previous games.

Dav just. Has next to nothing for me. The one thing I'm looking forward to on my second run the most is trying out the combat with a different class 💀except i anticipate it to get repetitive once again once my built is fully active. Plus a different romance ig except it's also less satisfying than other games because I've already seen all the scenes? Romance is the same as the friendship route with some added flirting and a couple kisses. With the exception of emmrich i guess who gets a whole extra dinner date. But even then, all romances follow a very strict formula.

Idk man, I'm just mourning what we could've had instead of this. Guess I just need more time to stop being butthurt to enjoy my second run a little more. Well and if bio could please fix the damn memory leak issues that'd be great too.

[ellstersmash]

For the DAV hype Q&A: 4, 8, 17, 18 and 20 please!

4. What does your worldstate look like going into DAV?

Sooo I don't know exactly. I am planning to replay all the games so I'll settle some of this later, but I think I'll make Anora Queen of Ferelden, Morrigan will have Kieran, Hawke is in the Fade, the Inquisition is still around, Lavellan took the Well, and she wants to redeem Solas (whatever that actually means). I'll definitely be playing with Athi as Inquisitor.

8. What faction are you most excited to learn more about?

The Shadow Dragons!! How long have they been operating? How are they structured? What are their methods? What's the scope of their operations? How do they recruit?

17. Are you interested in all the lore and speculation or do you focus more on the games and stories themselves?

I really don't have a brain for all the connection-forming and tiny-detail-noticing that the Lore Divers do, so while I find what they come up with very interesting, I do tend to focus more on the games and stories.

18. Which aspect of fandom are you most looking forward to? (e.g. reading/writing fic, the bounty of gorgeous art, getting to know new people, etc.)

I'm definitely looking forward to writing some fic!! I really love the creativity that being part of a community like this fosters. Person A posts an intriguing headcanon that inspires Person B to create some beautiful piece of art, which in turn inspires Person C to write a fic that makes me cry. It's fun!

20. Post a picture or gif that conveys your current level of excitement for Dragon Age: The Veilguard!

DAV Hype Q&A

[housederiva]

I’m about to start the final main quest of DAV and I’m so confused. The game felt like a literal chore so far, but I’m pushing through. The one thing the marketing has hyped at every opportunity is the romance. So I romanced Neve.. and apart from not even be able to talk to her, or have a discussion about ‘the kiss’ you are just in a relationship and then before the end you get one scene?!? Like I’m literally baffled. This was one of their biggest selling points and we have like 15 minutes of content? Are the others as lackluster as well?

Mhmm yes don’t worry you aren’t the only one who sent me something like this. It made me baffled to the point I thought my game was glitched and it didn’t trigger my romance path once it was locked in

They’re all like that (some worse than others)

[dreadfutures]

7, 16, 19 for DA4 asks!

Thank you for joining in on the HYPE!

7. Which character from the previous games or other media are you most hoping will make an appearance in DAV?

Honestly, Vivienne or Cassandra.

I know, I know, but hear me out.

After Inquisition, Jaws of Hakkon, after Cassandra's personal quest, these women have to have changing opinions about magic in the world. I would love to have conversations about coming to terms with societies flooded with magic, how they are not evil merely because of that freedom. Possession is reversible! Spirit companions can be peaceful!

It would be an opportunity too to make up for some of the weakness in DAI's/Trespasser's writing with the Andrastian characters not questioning their beliefs enough in my (and many others') opinions. I don't think that they don't, to be clear: I think Cassandra's reign as Divine is way more reform-oriented (depending on your choices) than most people interpret her ending slides to be. But I wish they had confronted their beliefs more in Hakkon, and I wish we could see them ten years later--with a Mortalitasi, and a Tevinter commoner, and an elven Veil Jumper at our sides.

16. What's one crack theory you subscribe to (yours or someone else's)?

So I really wish we can swim. We can jump and parry and dodge. CAN WE SWIM? GOTY for me if so.

But I feel like probably not, so. Crack theory. (I didn't think this would count but someone else said swimming for their answer to this question so I guess it does.)

19. Are you planning to replay any of the previous games, watch Dragon Age: Absolution, or read any of the books/comics/short stories, or are there other games you want to play in the meantime?

I was planning on replaying DAI to get Ixchel's Bad World State in order, but…

My tastes in games have changed a lot over the years in terms of tecnical gameplay. For pause/play and strategy Turn Based games, I much prefer Owlcat or Larian. For goon-slaying chaos, I prefer Dynasty Warriors. For smooth-feeling real time combat, I am a souls girlie.

With the news that we won't be using the Keep but rather manually making our choices (very welcome news, personally!), I feel far less pressure to slog through the combat and resource gathering.

I wish I could play DAO, but!!!! No matter how I patch it, no matter how I cleanly install it, no matter how I run it, I cannot escape the game-locking crash in Denerim Market. And I don't have it on console. And it's such an out-dated gameplay and so below industry standard and quality of life of modern pause-and-play strategy combat that… I just am not incredibly interested (though I wish I could have a playthrough with Hal ;-; I really do).

I loved DA2, it is my favorite story -- blatantly pro-immigrant and confronting the xenophobia and racism of the post 9/11 west; no, I don't see the "both sidesing" as much as everyone likes to moan about, I think you really have to misinterpret a lot of the intention to think it's purposefully "both sidesing" -- but I've played it once, and I don't really need to do it again.

[effelants]

7, 19, 20

Hello, Fibro! <3

I'm answering questions from this Dragon Age: The Veilguard Hype ask meme drafted by the amazing incredible wonderful @ellstersmash! Ask me anything!

7. Which character from the previous games or other media are you most hoping will make an appearance in DAV?

Ooh, I actually don't have a very strong opinion on this! The main driving factor of my engagement with every new installment in the franchise has always been the new characters we get to meet, and that hasn't changed. I generally prefer not to see returning characters, even for cameos (Bioware has burned me on that in the past a little bit). That being said, if we got a true-to-character Zevran cameo, I might actually die of happiness.

19. Are you planning to replay any of the previous games, watch Dragon Age: Absolution, or read any of the books/comics/short stories, or are there other games you want to play in the meantime?

I may pick up a few of the books or try my hand at a comic or two, but I've not overall made any big plans to prepare for the new game! I'm hoping to finish my DAO fic, and I think that's the main thing on the docket right now. Otherwise, I'll just keep passing time with other days until THE DAY WE CAN FINALLY RETURN TO THEDAS IS UPON US ONCE MORE, AAAAAA!!!!!!

20. Post a picture or gif that conveys your current level of excitement for Dragon Age: The Veilguard!

[thievinghippo]

oh, i love it. For the veilguard hype qa:

4. What does your worldstate look like going into DAV?

7. Which character from the previous games or other media are you most hoping will make an appearance in DAV?

17. Are you interested in all the lore and speculation or do you focus more on the games and stories themselves?

4. You know, I had to break out the ol' spreadsheet for this one, to make sure I got the details right. For my 'ash in the sun' world state, we've got Warden Alistair and Brosca. Then Hawke was left in the Fade (she romanced Anders). Blackwall and Bethroot Cadash, who sided with the mages, supported Celene, who reconciled with Briala. Morrigan drank from the Well and Leliana is the Divine

7. Bethany or Carver Hawke! I know it will never happen, but it would make me so, so happy. I also really hope that Blackwall gets some sort of mention, though I doubt he will

17. I'm trying not to speculate too much, because that route lies disappointment. Though I really want to know about the Titans. Please, bioware, give this dwarf lover something!

[ruushes]

I’m going through all the reblogs for the Dragon Age Veilguard hype thing, cause well, I know I want people to ask me questions. So asking others is probably what they want too.

So how about… 7, 8, and 10!

7. Which character from the previous games or other media are you most hoping will make an appearance in DAV?

tbh this might be one of my more hatery takes but i would prefer if there weren't any characters from previous games or other media. the only times that's rly worked for me in the past games is former npcs w/o much character being promoted to companions i.e. isabela and merrill, otherwise it never rly feels well integrated to me 🤷

10. Which location are you most excited/hoping to explore in-game?

extremely hype to see antiva and rivain 👀👀