Last month, BioWare general manager Gary McKay created a bog plot where he reflected on 2021 at BioWare and discussed goals for 2022—including communicating with the community. So, it’s not too surprising that he has made yet another blog post this month, with it largely focusing onDragon Age 4.
Announced back at The Game Awards 2018, not much has been shown for the game since. There has been a trailer or two, but nothing of any real substance for the game. ThisDragon Age 4blog post may reveal why, as it confirms that the game is about halfway through production.
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McKay discusses the various stages of development, which include the early-on concept and pre-production phases. This, McKay says, is about deciding on the creative vision and laying down the technical foundation—or the “blueprint” for the game’s core concept and technological approach. This is where ideas and game mechanics are proposed, tested, and refined—whereas production, or the core of development, is about executing this blueprint through the alpha and beta stage ahead of launch.
“For the nextDragon Age, we are right in the middle of production,” McKay writes. He says the blueprint was completed last year, so the team is currently focusing on making environments, characters, gameplay, the writing thereof, cinematics, and more.BioWare fans disappointed by the last few gamesshould hopefully find some solace in that McKay says the team is focused.
McKay also announces that the executive producer, Christian Dailey, has also departed BioWare. This may be a bit of a surprise, but it’s worth mentioning thatMatthew Goldman,Dragon Age 4’s senior creative director, also left near the end of last year. It’s the nature of the beast when it comes to game development. McKay does reveal some big names leading the game too, though.
Mac Walters, who ledMass Effect Legendary Editionand has been at BioWare for 18 years, is the game’s production director. Corinne Busche is the game director, who has worked at EA for 15 years and has been leading the design direction ofDragon Age 4. Benoit Houle is the director of product development, as he has worked oneveryDragon Agegame.
Finally, McKay says fans will hear Age 4later this year, in the form of blogs and social content. More of its news cycle will presumably begin to pick up around then and going into 2023 as well. After all, all of this adds up with Jeff Grubb’s recent claim thatDragon Age 4’s release date is at least 18 months away.
