Dragon Age: The Veilguard Developer Explains Lack of Multiplayer Feature

The developers of Dragon Age: The Veilguard have decided to focus solely on a compelling single-player experience in order to enhance the storytelling and player agency within the game, forgoing the inclusion of any multiplayer features. BioWare is aiming to return to the narrative-driven roots of the Dragon Age franchise, prioritizing amazing storytelling and the creation of unique characters over the resources that would have been required for multiplayer development. As marketing efforts increase leading up to the highly anticipated launch of Dragon Age: The Veilguard in 2024, fans can expect to receive more news and details about the studio's vision for this latest entry in the beloved RPG series.

The Decision to Omit Multiplayer in Dragon Age: The Veilguard

BioWare has explained in a recent interview why Dragon Age: The Veilguard will not feature any multiplayer mode upon launch. While the previous entry of the Dragon Age series sported a co-op multiplayer mode, it seems Dragon Age: The Veillguard will not be following in its footsteps.

The Dragon Age series has not seen an entry in nearly ten years, and with The Veilguard launching later in 2024, the expectations for the game are high, especially when compared to Dragon Age: Inquisition. Something unique that Dragon Age: Inquisition brought to the series was a co-op mode, where players could battle through various missions with up to three friends. These co-op missions featured a mostly unique cast of playable characters, each with their own specializations and skills. Players would have to coordinate their team composition to be successful in missions. The multiplayer mode for Dragon Age: Inquisition is not often remembered fondly, if remembered at all, and now with The Veilguard rapidly approaching, fans now have confirmation that multiplayer will not be returning.

As confirmed in an interview with Game Informer, there's a simple reason for this decision to omit multiplayer. In the interview, BioWare general manager Gary McKay shared how BioWare wants to attempt to get back to its roots with Dragon Age: The Veilguard; with amazing storytelling, unforgettable characters, and the ability to feel like players truly influence the world around them with their choices. Multiplayer would not truly be able to capture this feeling, as can be seen from the multiplayer mode in Inquisition, and how it had no bearing at all on the wider game. As such, the concept of a multiplayer mode has been pushed aside to hone in on what the true vision of Dragon Age: The Veilguard is supposed to be. By not committing resources to developing a multiplayer mode, full attention can be put on the single-player experience.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Shifts Focus from Multiplayer to Enhance Single-Player Experience

The multiplayer mode in Dragon Age: Inquisition was a rather polarizing addition among fans. Some enjoyed it, happy with the extra content it gave and the ability to play the game with friends. Many disliked its addition, believing that the inclusion of a multiplayer mode took away from the base game and ultimately harmed it during its development. While rumors were spinning several years ago about BioWare having abandoned multiplayer for the next Dragon Age game, this most recent interview confirms it, as well as giving an understandable reason as to why, which many fans of Dragon Age are sure to appreciate, even if others may find the news of no multiplayer disheartening.

Marketing and news for Dragon Age: The Veilguard has increased greatly over the past few months, keeping fans of Dragon Age well-fed as the launch of the game draws ever closer. With a confirmed appearance at San Diego Comic-Con later this month, the future is looking bright for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, as the developers focus their efforts on delivering an exceptional single-player experience.