The Importance of Character Creation in Dragon Age: The Veilguard

With the anticipation building for the release of the new RPG sequel, discussions surrounding the character creator in Dragon Age: The Veilguard have intensified. A seasoned professional from BioWare has stepped forward to advocate for the importance of this feature in the game. In response to skepticism about the necessity of character creators, a former combat designer from a popular game asserted that a large segment of players dedicates considerable time to customizing their avatars, with some spending up to an hour in that process. He highlighted surprising statistics from another game that indicated players collectively spent an astonishing 8,196 years crafting their in-game characters.

This professional pointed out that the character creation tools serve a dual purpose, benefiting both developers and players. In role-playing games like Dragon Age and others, developers strive to create diverse non-player characters. To avoid repetition and provide a rich experience, they must offer an extensive range of options rather than simply catering to a niche audience. Enabling players to have control over character creation is advantageous in numerous ways, as many find joy in recreating themselves or a likeness in the game, which fosters a sense of recognition. This effect is particularly significant for individuals who are underrepresented in mainstream media, making their experiences resonate deeply when they encounter characters that reflect their identity. Beyond merely reflecting reality, character creators are integral to the core of roleplaying.

Players seek to forge characters and define their reactions to various in-game challenges, as the excitement comes from crafting an interesting persona. However, it is acknowledged that some players prefer to dive straight into gameplay or gravitate towards familiar faces, explaining the appeal of pre-made characters—many still cherish the classic default options available in previous titles. Furthermore, a writer involved in the Dragon Age franchise has mentioned that it is possible to enjoy The Veilguard as a standalone experience without needing to explore the series' prior installments.