Article Key Points
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf has had a rocky development cycle with multiple design changes and high staff turnover, but there is hope that it will finally be released next year.
There are rumors circulating that BioWare intends to launch Dragon Age: Dreadwolf in the summer of 2024, although doubts remain regarding the studio's level of dedication to meeting that timeline.
Historically, The Game Awards has served as a venue for presenting Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, making it probable that the game will have some form of showcase during or in close proximity to the event in December 2023.
Dragon Age fans have eagerly awaited the release of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf ever since the sequel hook in Dragon Age: Inquisition's Trespasser DLC. However, the game's development process has faced challenges, including multiple design changes. Initially, BioWare planned for a smaller, more narrative-focused game under the codename Joplin. But they completely restarted development to transform it into a live-service multiplayer game, only to later abandon the multiplayer aspect due to EA and BioWare's decision. Moreover, high staff turnover has also affected the game's development, and BioWare recently underwent a round of layoffs.
Despite these obstacles, the development of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf continues. While not all the news surrounding the game has been positive, there is hope that the game will finally see the light of day next year. This presents an exciting possibility that fans may get their first substantial glimpse of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf at the 2023 Game Awards.
Dreadwolf’s Release Window Indicates an Appearance at The Game Awards 2023
Fans haven't seen much of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf considering how long it's been in development. Despite releasing multiple trailers and development updates, EA and BioWare have not announced a release date for the game. However, game industry insider Jeff Grubb, who is typically reliable, suggested that Dragon Age: Dreadwolf may be released in the summer of 2024. It's important to note that this information was given in June and plans may have changed since then. Additionally, it's uncertain if the studio is fully committed to achieving this goal or if there may be future setbacks.
Still, that expectation doesn't appear to be unreasonable. In October 2022, Dreadwolf transitioned into its Alpha stage, and BioWare's general manager Gary McKay suggested that the game was essentially finished in terms of its features. When considering that Dragon Age: Inquisition had a duration of approximately 6-9 months between its Alpha stage and release, a span of one year and three-quarters seems more than sufficient.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and The Game Awards
Dreadwolf Trailers | Released |
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2018 Game Awards | |
Gamescom 2020 | |
2020 Game Awards | |
Prior to 2022 Game Awards |
Given this plan, it is reasonable to expect that EA will allocate a significant amount of time, probably around six months or more, to promote the game before its release. Consequently, fans can anticipate some sort of reveal before the year concludes. In the event that this assumption holds true, BioWare is likely to present Dragon Age: Dreadwolf during The 2023 Game Awards in December.
The Game Awards is a highly influential gaming event where developers frequently take the opportunity to showcase their upcoming games. Among them are EA and BioWare, who have previously unveiled Dragon Age: Dreadwolf at this prestigious event. Back in 2018, BioWare introduced Dreadwolf, then an untitled sequel to the popular Dragon Age franchise, at The Game Awards. Fast forward two years, the 2020 cinematic trailer for the game was also revealed during this event. Notably, just three days before the 2022 Game Awards, fans were treated to an In-Game Cinematic Trailer for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.
EA and BioWare have a history of showcasing their content at or around The Game Awards. Considering the rumored release window of Summer 2024 and the progress of Dreadwolf's development, it is highly probable that the game will be featured during or close to this year's December event. The nature of this presentation remains uncertain, but given the game's advanced stage, the possibility of a gameplay trailer cannot be ruled out. It is expected, at the very least, that there will be a visually impressive trailer created using the game's engine. It should be noted, however, that none of this is certain, as it is possible for the Game Awards to proceed without any mention of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. Nonetheless, fans of the Dragon Age series have valid reasons to be hopeful about the upcoming Game Awards.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf
Franchise Dragon AgeDeveloper(s) BioWarePublisher(s) Electronic Arts
Editor's P/S
As a Dragon Age fan, I am cautiously optimistic about the potential reveal of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf at The Game Awards 2023. While the game's development has been troubled, with multiple design changes and high staff turnover, there is hope that it will finally be released in 2024.
The Game Awards has been a significant platform for Dragon Age reveals in the past, and it would make sense for BioWare to showcase the game at this year's event. However, I would urge fans to temper their expectations, as there is always the possibility of further delays or setbacks. Regardless, I am excited to see more of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and learn more about the story, characters, and gameplay.