Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Release date, trailers, Solas & everything we know

BioWare’s incredibly popular and gripping saga is set to continue with the upcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard – previously called Dreadwolf – but what do we know about it so far? From trailers to gameplay and information on Solas, we’ve got you covered on everything to get excited about.

Fans worldwide are eager to once again step into the vast world of Thedas and explore what BioWare has in store for players upon release. What will the storyline focus on, and how much will the iconic betrayer, Solas, be featured?

Following Dragon Age Inquisition’s Trespasser DLC, which was released way back in September 2015, it’s been a long time since new content was released for the Dragon Age franchise. Here’s everything we know about Dragon Age: The Veilguard so far.

Release date

Dragon Age: The Veilguard will release on October 31, 2024.

When announcing the official title was announced in June 2022, BioWare confirmed that it wouldn’t be released that year.

The game reportedly encountered internal delays and staff turnover, including substantial layoffs at BioWare.

Trailers

BioWare has treated fans to several teaser trailers that aim to showcase the setting and theme of the next title. There have also been extensive trailers showcasing gameplay and cinematics.

The first, released in 2018, was primarily intended to build hype – and that it did. Featuring a fantastic score and gorgeous imagery, the trailer started a fire in the hearts of fans everywhere.

2018 Game Awards trailer

With a chilling quote from former companion Solas, who states, “So, you’ve found me at last,” we’re given a small hint into what route the story will be taking – likely carrying on to some degree from Inquisition.

The video’s description says: “I suspect you have questions,” with the #TheDreadWolfRises hashtag further solidifying Solas’ role within the game.

Behind the Scenes trailer

In August 2020, BioWare shared a behind-the-scenes look at the developers working on the next Dragon Age title. Featuring concept art and even some small glimpses at in-game locales, such as twisted oak trees in shrouds of darkness and icy, frozen plains, this was a treat that hyped up fans for the next trailer.

2020 Game Awards trailer

Two years after the announcement teaser back in 2018, the Game Awards trailer of 2020 provided even more fan service to die-hard Dragon Age fans everywhere.

Featuring the narration of fan-favorite dwarven companion Varric, he tells us that he will stand beside us in our journey and that this is “your story.” We also got glimpses of the game’s setting, with the iconic location confirmed.

Dragon Age Day 2023 trailer

This late 2023 Dragon Age teaser – and the first trailer in nearly three years – was released on December 4, 2023, as part of Dragon Age Day.

The brief video provides a quick overview of the many kingdoms and regions of Thedas, such as Antiva and Rivain. It culminates in a mysterious voice, likely the Dread Wolf himself, saying, “All the world will soon share the peace and comfort of my reign.”

The teaser ends with the confirmation that a full reveal is coming in Summer 2024.

Xbox Games Showcase 2024 trailer

The world finally received its first trailer for Dragon Age: The Veilguard during Xbox Games Showcase 2024. This revealed that characters like Harding and Varric will return, alongside new heroes, as well as a Fall 2024 release window for the game.

Official Gameplay Reveal

In June 2024, BioWare released a 20-minute gameplay trailer for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. This trailer shows the main character, Rook, exploring a chapter called “The End of the Beginning.” Throughout the trailer, you get a glimpse of what the game’s environment, character creation, cutscenes, and combat will look like.

Release Date Trailer

In August 2024, BioWare dropped a new trailer confirming Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s release date. This included brand new cinematics, one of which confirmed the return of Morrigan from Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age: Inquisition.

At the end, players got a glimpse of the release date for Dragon Age: The Veilguard – October 31, 2024.

What is Dragon Age: The Veilguard about?

From the 2020 trailer we were treated to, Varric’s narration confirms that the game will focus on a new protagonist in the series, with the prior Inquisitor stepping away.

He says “It’s time for a new hero. No magic hand, no ancient prophecy.” It seems as if the titular character will be someone of little power within the world of Thedas, someone they will “never see coming.”

BioWare has noted that Solas is the Dread Wolf and offered a description in an update: “Some say he might be an ancient elven god, but some say not. Others say he is a betrayer of his people…or a savior who now seeks to rescue them at the cost of your world. His motives are inscrutable, and his methods are sometimes questionable, earning him a reputation as something of a trickster deity—a player of dark and dangerous games.

Interestingly, BioWare announced ahead of the full gameplay reveal on June 11 that the game had been renamed to Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

In a post, they explained that, while the Dread Wolf Solas will still play a major role, the new title centers the game on the player and their party, saying “we changed the name as the original title didn’t show just how strongly we feel about our new heroes, their stories and how you’ll need to bring them together to save all of Thedas.”

The same post also confirms there will be “seven unique characters” that serve as companions in The Veilguard

Voice Actors

On July 22, 2024, the main voice cast of Dragon: Age The Veilguard was officially revealed ahead of the game’s appearance at San Diego Comic Con.

The cast will feature both new and returning actors to the franchise and the full list is as follows:

• Rook: Alex Jordan, Bryony Corrigan, Erika Ishii, Jeff Berg
• Harding: Ali Hillis
• Davrin: Ike Amadi
• Bellara: Jee Young Han
• Neve: Jessica Clark
• Taash: Jin Maley
• Emmrich: Nick Boraine
• Manfred: Matthew Mercer
• Lucanis: Zach Mendez
• Solas: Gareth David-Lloyd
• Varric: Brian Bloom
• Morrigan: Claudia Black

You can check out our dedicated voice actors guide for a more in-depth look at the Dragon Age: The Veilguard cast.

Pre-orders & editions

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is now available to pre-order. There are three editions of the game, and you can find a breakdown of every versions below:

Standard edition – $59.99

• Base game
• Blood Dragon armor cosmetic – A blood dragon armor cosmetic set for Rook – 1 per class (Warrior, Mage, Rogue).

Deluxe edition – $89.99

• Everything in the Standard edition
• 6 Weapon Appearances for Rook. Cosmetic only.
• 1 Warrior Armor Set Appearance for Rook.
• 1 Mage Armor Set Appearance for Rook.
• 1 Rogue Armor Set Appearance for Rook.
• 7 Weapon Appearances for Companions.
• 7 Armor Set Appearances for Companions.

Rook’s Coffer edition – $219

The Rook’s Coffer edition is the priciest and comes with a handful of physical goodies:

• Everything in the Deluxe edition of the game
• Light-up Lyrium dagger
• Rook’s card deck (includes 52 cards)
• Enchanted die (includes drawstring storage pouch)
• Glass potion flash
• Cloth map & quiver (includes quiver tube for storage)
• Companion lithograph
• Thank you letter

Gameplay

The official Dragon Age landing page confirms that the expected focus is on building relationships and enemies: “Friendship, drama, and romance abound as you bring striking individuals together into an extraordinary team. Become the hero and light the beacon of hope in their darkest moments.”

In a blog post by Gary McKay, BioWare’s General Manager, on January 6, 2022, it was mentioned that Dragon Age: The Veilguard will be a “single-player experience that is built on choices that matter.”

In an interview with IGN, The Veilguard’s Game Director, Corinne Busche, confirmed that the game is going to be returning to the systems of Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2.

This means it won’t be open world like Inquisition was, but instead, will be mission-based with smaller, more focused areas to visit depending on what your objective is at the time.

However, Busche also confirmed that there will be some open explorable areas, so players won’t have to worry about the game being completely linear. Busch explains: “However, along the way, these levels that we go to do open up, some of them have more exploration than others. Alternate branching paths, mysteries, secrets, optional content you’re going to find and solve.”

While sharing similarities with the first two games of the series, it is also reminiscent of one of BioWare’s most popular games: Mass Effect 2.

There will also be fewer companions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard than there have been in previous titles. To be exact, there will be seven companions total that can join a player’s party.

They are also restricting the party size to two companions, which is a reduction from the previous amount of three. It seems that BioWare is keen to really focus on the strengths of the series.

System Requirements

The system requirements for Dragon Age: The Veilguard are now available via Steam. You can check out the minimum specs you’ll need to run the game, and the recommended ones for the smoothest possible performance below. We also know what to expect if you’re looking to get the most out of Ray Tracing features too.

Minimum

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
• OS: 64 bit Windows 10/11
• Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 3 3300X* (see notes)
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 970/1650 / AMD Radeon R9 290X
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 100 GB available space
• Additional Notes: SSD Preferred, HDD Supported; AMD CPUs on Windows 11 require AGESA V2 1.2.0.7

Recommended

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
• OS: 64 bit Windows 10/11
• Processor: Intel Core i9-9900K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X* (see notes)
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 2070 / AMD Radeon RX 5700XT
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 100 GB available space
• Additional Notes: SSD Required; AMD CPUs on Windows 11 require AGESA V2 1.2.0.7

EA

That’s everything we know about Dragon Age: The Veilguard so far! For more upcoming games, you can check out our hubs for Gears of War E-Day, GTA 6, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows.