Dragon Age Inquisition: News Update (October 6th)

It's been over a week since the last news update and it's time to catch up with the DAI information that's come out since then.  As always, be aware of spoilers below and please let me know if you spot any errors or omissions.

 

 

Mike Laidlaw and Cameron Lee went on Twitch for a live character creation stream that included game play showing Valammar in the Deep Roads (reached via the Hinterlands and involving a Carta plot; this reveals the location of the Varric screenshot from the EGX presentation--the one where he's standing next to a Dwarven statue).  Along with going through the permutations of creating your character, we witnessed Lee suffering a complete party wipe (Varric, Vivienne, and Cassandra) while on normal difficulty (ouch).  As for the character creation, it looks good, with the main disappointment for me being the lack of long hair (albeit that was expected); there's also a limited hair selection for Qunari, but both of these are minor issues.

 

 

We also had the release of a short video on crafting and customizing, which was followed by this neat image:

 

 

The number of mounts was the biggest surprise for me, although undoubtedly this includes colour variance, so the total number of unique mounts is likely much smaller.

 

We've known for quite some time that there would be no healing magic in DAI (if memory serves it goes all the way back to the Crestwood demo from last year), but when that was recently reaffirmed there was a lot of concern expressed, leading to this lengthy response from Lukas Kristjanson:

A lot of people are picturing trying to play DAO/2 with no heals. Of course that wouldn't work, those games weren't balanced for that. But how well were they balanced with heals, really? I'm not a numbers guy, but I like a good fight. And here's what made it make sense for me. There's a very simple reason why this is a good decision, and it's also why the balance in DAO/2 was all over the map. It's in the question "How many health points does a player have?" Because we need to know this before we can design an encounter and know how balanced it is. So, how many HP? Well, we'd hope it starts with "somewhere between the minimum for a mage and the max for a warrior, varied based on party makeup." Okay, good place to start. That's a real number. We can build encounters that do somewhere within that range of total damage + effects. Now add in healing. How many HP does the player have? "Somewhere between the minimum for a mage and the max for a warrior, plus somewhere between the minimum and maximum number of healing spells/potions and between the min/max of their mana/potions." Okay, how much HP is that exactly? Since potions restore mana, and potions also restored HP, the actual number of potential HP was somewhere between the minimum for a mage and the total amount of gold you had available to spend on potions. And the later in the game it was, the more the top reached astronomical numbers. And so the greatest power the player had in previous games was not any one of their abilities, it was the ability to make the number of HP impossible to estimate. And to counter effectively infinite HP, "balance" meant we needed to hit the player with far more potential damage than their characters could withstand, and do it all but instantly. In effect, replacing HP damage (unknown limits) with death/resurrection (known limits). Or we had to stop them from chaining potions, meaning more enemies that put them to sleep or confused them, or otherwise made the player not able to take action. Alpha strikes and crowd control, neither of which were tactics that were fun to face again and again, because they "balanced" by removing actions, by removing control.

Now in Inquisition, by reducing healing, by actually defining HP to a range that can have real numbers in it, we can better balance encounters. And no, players can't rely on chaining potions. So what do they get instead? Abilities/gear/choices that actually have an effect on the battle that is greater than infinite health on your belt. And because your greatest ability isn't chugging potions, we need less effects that shut you down. You spend more time in control of your characters making more varied decisions to have a greater effect on the flow of the battle. You have regen from spells and potions and gear. You have effects you can craft that grant health on enemy deaths. You have damage mitigation through abilities and buffs and crafting. Limiting health and balancing enemies accordingly makes more tactical choices viable while keeping the challenge. Does this make it more difficult? On Nightmare, Well, you asked for a challenge, and you'll have one that you can overcome in many more viable ways than previously possible. 

I'm perfectly fine to play the game without it, but I'll be interested to see how the absence of healing magic is explained (I assume it will be connected to the changes caused by the rift).

 

Speaking of changes from the previous games, Mark Darrah tells us the tiered coin economy (gold, silver, and copper) has been changed to a single currency in order to help the UI.  I don't have a big problem with it, although it will be interesting to see if the change is addressed in-game.

 

There was yet another leak on Friday, as copies of The Art of Dragon Age Inquisition (slated for release in November) got loose in Russia.  The book includes some spoilers, one in particular has people talking, but I think it's something that for those paying attention isn't much of a surprise (without getting too explicit it's related to Morrigan).

 

Sleuths at BSN think they have spotted Merrill (DAO-DA2) via a screen shot from the Skyhold reveal a couple of weeks ago:

 

 

She's on the left; the body fits the profile, but it could just be another Dalish elf.  It wouldn't surprise me if Merrill re-appeared, given that (in many ways) her story was left hanging at the end of the previous game (this may be an optional appearance, given that a pro-Templar Hawke can kill her).

 

A still from the EGX video I wanted to discuss:

 

 

I thought I'd put a name to the self-described factions shown here, since many fans won't know them of by heart (and the image above can't be taken as a complete list of all of them).  Beginning at the top of the left-hand column, left-to-right (all of this sourced via the DA Wiki): Gray Wardens, Ferelden, Dalish, Kirkwall (City of Chains), Circle of Magi, Harimann family, Orlais, Carta, City Guard (Kirkwall), Chantry, Amell family, Qunari, Raiders, Gallows (Kirkwall), Kirkwall, Seekers, Templars, Tevinter slavers, Viscount's Keep (Kirkwall), Undercity/Darktown (Kirwall), Red Iron Mercenaries, Starkhaven, Resolutionists, Winters, Slavers, Inquisition, and Coterie.  I have no idea what all the various Kirkwall symbols are intended for, as we won't be travelling to the city; given that, I think we have to take the description of this as factions with a grain of salt.

 

IMDB doesn't have the best track record for getting VO casting right, but they did post Queen Anora before she was confirmed in DAI and they have another interesting name to add to the list: Yuri Lowenthal is credited as voicing "the Warden".  This needn't mean the Hero of Ferelden, but on the other hand the devs haven't said we won't hear the Hero--we just won't see him or her.  He could be the Warden we see with Hawke in the "Enemy of Thedas" trailer--time will tell.

The latest Shoddycast DA lore video is up (focusing on Elves).

 

Speaking of images, I thought I'd try and put the game's intro together from the various pieces we've been shown thus far.  These are guesses, but reasonable ones:

 

We know this is the explosion at the Temple of Sacred of Ashes that sends the Inquisitor into the Fade.

 

 

Here the Inquisitor is being blasted into the Fade.

 

 

The Inquisitor looks to the person/being who helps him or her escape the Fade (we know this shot comes immediately after we've finished with character creation, as seen via the Twitch presentation linked above).

 

 

I think this is the Inquisitor going between the boundary of the Fade and Thedas (it could be a desert-scene, but I think a random desert shot doesn't have much impact and I'd like to think that's not something they'd toss in at random into a trailer).

 

 

Here the Inquisitor has just returned from the Fade.

 

 

Cassandra confronts the Inquisitor upon his or her return.

 

 

I believe the Inquisitor is being held as Cassandra decides what to do (that's her and Vivienne in the background).

 

 

 

This is either the intro to Cullen or soon after--note the Inquisitor does not have the Inquisition symbol on his armour yet.

 

 

I suspect this is our first meeting with Leliana.

 

 

Our introduction to Varric.

 

 

I believe this is our first encounter with Solas; it appears as though he's showing the Inquisitor how to use his/her power to close a fade rift.

 

 

Speaking of Solas, I believe the picture below is the group approaching the breach early in the game (he, Varric, and Cassandra).

 

 

Dorian's introduction, telling us about the Venatori.

 

 

Meeting Cole as he warns us the Templars are trying to kill the Inquisitor.

 

 

Which feeds off this quest (we can see a hatless Cole is present but not part of the Solas, Cassandra, Varric party).

 

 

I'm guessing this is the first war table scene after we've initially gathered all our companions (but it could just be a war table scene).

 

 

I think this scene leads to our first encounter with Morrigan, which I believe happens early (note the two halla statues).  It's Cassandra, Varric, and Dorian with us, but their inclusion is likely optional.

 

 

Here's where I think we first meet Morrigan (coming out of an eluvian).

 

 

Morrigan right after transforming.

 

 

Note the two halla statues in the background; I believe this scene is connected to the one above (and is therefore early).

 

 

The last scene I think is early: Morrigan is behind this Dalish elf who we see fighting she and the Inquisitor in other scenes.  The weird eyes suggest demonic possession.

 

 

I'm always curious about what fans are looking forward to, but it's hard to tell as there's no real measure of casual fan expectation (virtually non-existent at this point in terms of specifics).  For hardcore fans we can take a stab at them via the BSN forums.  I took a look at which of our companions/NPCs are generating the most discussion to gauge what folks are most excited about (the numbers represent pages of discussion):

Cullen - on his third thread with over 3,000 posts

Varric - 854

Solas - 706

Sera - 614

Dorian - 510

Cassandra - 476

Josephine - 444

Iron Bull - 276

Blackwall - 266

Leliana - 262

Cole - 204

Vivienne - 165

 

In terms of surprises, Solas is one for me, simply because other than his profile very little has been seen of the elf.  I'm also surprised by Josephine, about whom even less is known.  On the flipside, given her exposure, Vivienne is significantly in arrears in the group, but it's worth pointing out that three of the four characters who cannot be romanced are at the bottom of this list (Varric is the exception).  The Cullen numbers are a bit skewed by the devoted fanbase for him.

 

The PC specifications for the game are supposed to come out this week and if that happens later today I'll add them.

 

This article is written by Peter Levi (@eyeonthesens)

Dragon Age Inquisition News Update (September 25th)

It has been awhile since my last update and at last information is spilling out.  Beware of spoilers below and if you notice any errors or omissions, please let me know!

 

Shortly after my latest news update more information dropped about the war table.  Cameron Lee offered one new piece of information:

There are over 300 missions and operations available on the war table, and they can change depending on your previous choices and actions in the game. There's a range of types: scouting missions to establish the first camp in a new area you'd like to explore, building missions to raise structures in the areas you've being exploring, recruitment missions to bring expertise into the inquisition, treaties, resource-gathering, political assassinations, and many, many more.

So that gives us the range of mission on offer (300 is huge).  Cameron Lee also confirmed that when our Inquisitor dispenses justice execution is an option.

 

 

Joe Juba had an interview follow-up for Game Informer and around the 9 minute mark of the video we see our first live action shots of Skyhold (his specific comments just recap what he said in the interview I talked about in my previous post).

Information on all class specializations are out now via the official website and here's the overview of each:

Mage

Knight Enchanter: These rare mages received special dispensation from the Chantry to serve in battle. They summon blades from the Fade and are experts in protection and defense.

Necromancer: These mages specialize in binding spirits that are drawn to death. They can put the fear of death into enemies, bring spirits to fight on their behalf, and even cause devastating explosions when their enemies die.

Rift Mage: These mages draw upon the force of the Fade, either pulling matter from the Fade to attack or twisting the Veil itself into a weapon to stagger or crush their enemies.

Warrior

Champion: These powerful defenders protect their allies from harm, standing strong against devastating blows with expert training and fierce determination. Enemies can't kill them—and usually can't survive them.

Reaver: As the battle gets bloodier, these vicious and deadly warriors get even more brutal. Hurting them just makes them mad, a mistake most enemies don't live to repeat.

Templar: These unrelenting warriors specialise in fighting mages and demons. No enemy's magic can withstand them, and they inspire and protect their allies with their righteous power.

Rogue

Artificer: These specialists control the battlefield with deadly traps. Neither they nor their explosive mines are ever where the enemy expects them to be.

Assassin: Any rogue can kill a target, but assassins make death into an art form. They specialise in quick, deadly kills that let them slide back into the shadows undetected, or indirect kills that eliminate targets while the assassin is safely away.

Tempest: These unpredictable experts specialise in using alchemical mixtures that wreathe them in frost or flame. Fast, chaotic, and possibly mad, they wade into the fight and dare enemies to face the storm.

 

Speaking of things from the official website, the Qunari racial benefit has changed from +50 health to +10% melee defense.  I saw this rumoured a week or two ago, but it's now official.

 

Going back to Lee, he reaffirmed to PlayStation Life that the AI in the game will be more intelligent than in previous installments.

 

There is no definitive word yet on the game's resolution, although the team is working to maximize the potential of each platform.

 

 

EGX hosted a Developer Session on Twitch that included Neil Thompson from BioWare (around 11:30 of the video; his appearance lasts until around 46:00) that included some new shots of the game.  Poor Neil could have used a snare drum for his jokes (his audience was not laughing, alas), but provides an interesting walkthrough with the art direction for DAI.  Below are some of most interesting shots [the Youtube version is now up]:

 

 

This shot of the Fade includes what looks like a chair and a desk behind a huge container--I have no idea what it represents, but something pseudo-domestic (if that's possible there).

 



 

Here's an updated shot of the Fade rift (presumably at Haven). 

 

 

I think this is Cassandra, Varric, Solas, and our Inquisitor heading towards the breach shown above.

 

 

Varric standing somewhere with a Dwarven statue in the foreground.

 

 

A Dalish entrance to...somewhere.

 

 

Solas, Cole, Blackwall, and our Inquisitor atop a high keep...it could be the ruin of Skyhold, but it's hard to say.

 

 

A nice shot from an Orlesian ball.

 

 

Here's a look at some of the colour-cues within the game.

 

 

This isn't a new shot, other than it's clarity, as this image was part of the 2012 survey leak, but I wanted to point out the few differences between companion concepts then to now: 1) Dorian's staff has changed, 2) Iron Bull no longer uses a sword, 3) Sera's hair is shorter, and 4) Vivienne's ethnicity has changed.

 

The winners of Take Your Place had a video posted of them doing their work with shots of their characters.

 

A Reddit poll looking at player preferences in DAI had similar results as the BSN one from not long ago.  Humans were the most popular race (44%; Elves were 30%, Qunari 22%, and Dwarves 4%), and Mage is the most popular class (50%; Rogue and Warrior had 25% each).  Additional questions that were not included in the BSN poll were styles of Warrior (two-handed beat sword and shield 57% to 43%, while dual-dagger beat bow-using Rogues 65% to 35%), along with the following:

Favoured Companions (divided by class)

Warrior: Cassandra (34%), Iron Bull (33%), Blackwall (17%), and no selection (17%)

Rogue: Varric (47%), Sera (23%), Cole (16%), and no selection (14%)

Mage: Dorian (36%), Solas/Vivienne (20% each), and no selection (23%)

I think this fit quite well with the exposure of the referenced characters (both the amount and what's been learned of them within that).

Romances

No selection (25%), Cassandra (22%), Josephine (11%), Sera (10%), Cullen/Dorian (8%), Iron Bull (7%), Blackwall/Solas/no one (3%).

This is also not surprising, although Josephine's relatively high number is interesting since we know virtually nothing about her.

The poll also asked which system people would choose and PC was the overwhelming favourite (65%), with PS4 a distant second (16%). 

 

AvtrSpirit takes a look at the pros and cons of DA2 and explores how well DAI will tread the line of appealing to fans of both installments.  I agree with a lot of what's said (although the sentiment about missing traps puzzles me quite a bit, and for the most part I much preferred the pacing of the second game as opposed to DAO), particularly that the companions in DA2 were much better realised.

The first DA lore video from ShoddyCast is up since their Patreon push back in July; it's a prologue and set-up to their upcoming videos and is up to their usual standards.

 

Youtuber Against the Grain talked about why he's excited about DAI after having muted responses to DAO and DA2 (the main draw for him is the open world-concept and the amount of gameplay on offer).

 

This article is written by Peter Levi (@eyeonthesens)