It’s been nearly two years since BioWare first announced thatDragon Age 4is in development. The official reveal of the gamewas unveiled during 2018’s The Game Awards, which showed an extremely short trailer that didn’t really show too much. Last month, some screenshots ofDragon Age 4made a surprise appearance at EA Play, which showed images depicting a dark environment. The only clue that allowed fans to recognize that the images are fromDragon Age 4is the clumps of Red Lyrium, which many believe would play a significant role in the upcoming game.
Apart from the EA Play tease, BioWare also confirmed thatDragon Age 4is in development for the PlayStation 5(and presumably the Xbox Series X). Of course, given thatBioWare has been extremely silent about the development of its popular fantasy RPG, many are wondering when the game would actually be released. At the moment, there is no official word on this matter, but many speculate a 2021 release window at the very least, even if that is a bit of a stretch. The question now is, when can players expect a more in-depth update onDragon Age 4?
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When To Expect Another Dragon Age 4 Announcement
Assuming that the 2021 release window is true or close to true, then fans should expect a more detailed announcement sometime this year. Predicting when exactly the announcement could be made is fairly difficult, especially since it appears thatDragon Age 4is still in its early stages of development.However, it wouldn’t be unlikely for the game to make a surprising appearance on the next PS5 event. Last month, several huge games that are expected to come out to the next-generation console were featured during the huge PS5 event, and it wouldn’t be unlikely ifDragon Age 4would receive the same treatment. Of course, the game could also make a surprise announcement, and BioWare may even decide to reveal it via a live stream.
However, apart from a PS5 event or a surprise announcement, there are two other events where BioWare could revealDragon Age 4. First isDragon Ageday, which falls on December 4, where players of the franchise come togetherto celebrate theDragon Ageseries. Although this event remains unofficial, BioWare has joined theDragon Agecommunity in past celebrations.
Of course, if notDragon Ageday, then the likeliest venue where BioWare could showcase an in-depth trailer ofDragon Age 4is in the upcoming Game Awards, which usually falls sometime in December. At the moment, the specific date of this year’s The Game Awards is still unknown, and it may not even have an actual event due to the ongoing pandemic. If the event pushes through this year, then it is a likely venue for BioWare to showcase the game because it is at this same event two years ago where Dragon Age 4 was first announced.
What Fans Could See in Dragon Age 4
So far, BioWare has committed to not use the same hero twice as the main protagonist.Each of the threeDragon Agegames had their own heroes, though Hawke could make an appearance inDragon Age: Inquisition,while The Hero of Ferelden was heavily referenced by other characters in the game. Speaking of characters, players may also see some returning companions in the game, though the most likely is Solas, given that Inquisition’s Trespasser DLC and the first DA4 teaser heavily suggested that he will play a huge role in the upcoming game. This also led to some speculation on whether the Inquisitor will also make a return in the upcoming game because, in the first teaser, Solas' voice could be heard saying, “So, you found me at last. I suspect you have questions.” It is still unclear who Solas was referring to, but players will remember that Solas once said the exact same thing to The Inquisitor.
As far as the story goes, it appears thatthe game’s plot will heavily revolve around Red Lyrium. In various images shown at EA Play 2020, players noticed the abundance of Red Lyrium in the game, which suggests that it will play a central role in the upcoming game.Dragon Ageplayers were first introduced to Red Lyrium during the second game when Hawke and Varric discovered it and it even corrupted Varric’s brother Bartrand. In Inquisition, the opening of the Breach caused Red Lyrium to appear all over Thedas and was used by the Templars, which led to their corruption. If the player decides to help the mages against Alexius, Corypheus will use the corrupted Templars as part of his army.
Now, the 2018 teaser and the EA Play images almost make it certain that Red Lyrium would play a central role inDragon Age 4.Of course, the exact details of the story and how Red Lyrium would once again shake up the world of Thedas remains to be seen. Hopefully, BioWare releases a more in-depth trailer soon, one that gives players a little bit of an idea on what the next game in theDragon Agefranchise would be about.
Dragon Age 4is in development for PS5.
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