Dragon Age: The Veilguard forgoes DLC as BioWare shifts focus to Mass Effect 5

The news surrounding Dragon Age: The Veilguard marks a notable shift in the franchise’s approach to its storytelling and gameplay experience. Traditionally, fans have enjoyed a wealth of downloadable content that expanded their adventures in both Dragon Age and Mass Effect. However, with the focus now directed towards the development of Mass Effect 5, players will see a significant change regarding post-launch content for the latest installment of Dragon Age.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is positioned to be the initial installment in the series that is set to not include any downloadable content following its launch, as the team at BioWare diverts their resources toward creating the next Mass Effect installment. The creative lead for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, John Epler, clarified that this new title will not adopt the same approach as prior releases, which often featured expansions eagerly embraced by the community. This shift is attributed to BioWare dedicating their complete focus to the next Mass Effect game in active production.

While it's likely that BioWare will release some patches or minor updates to enhance Dragon Age: The Veilguard, it appears that any significant expansions, similar to those seen in earlier games, are not on the horizon. This decision may surprise many longtime fans, especially considering how the expansions for Dragon Age: Origins and Inquisition are fondly remembered. The beloved DLC from previous titles, such as those found in the Mass Effect series, only adds to the weight of this choice.

However, the absence of downloadable content for Dragon Age: The Veilguard isn't solely rooted in the focus on Mass Effect 5. Game director Corrine Busche previously articulated that the latest Dragon Age was crafted to be a comprehensive experience on its own. Despite her admiration for expansion packs like Trespasser, she acknowledged that elements which feel essential might have been better incorporated within the main game experience. With the narrative spanning a decade, following the conclusion of such an extensive saga could prove to be a complex task.

Meanwhile, gamers have the opportunity to discover the different factions throughout Dragon Age and learn how to locate and recruit all companions in The Veilguard.