BioWare’s 20-Year-Old Master Plan for Dragon Age Unveiled

David Gaider reveals Dragon Age's original 'uber-plot' was known 20 years ago, laying the groundwork for future games. BioWare's intricate world-building is now paying off. #DragonAgeLore #BioWareSecrets #GamingHistory

genji 2 months ago

BioWare’s 20-Year-Old Master Plan for Dragon Age Unveiled

As we explore the secrets hidden in the Fade of Dragon Age, it’s hard not to wonder about the extent of BioWare’s knowledge about future events when developing the series over 20 years ago. Their elaborate and far-reaching epilogue in Dragon Age: Origins hints at a more profound understanding of the world’s lore.

Image credit: Eurogamer / EA BioWare

One person who can shed light on this is David Gaider, the original creator of Dragon Age’s world and lore. In a recent interview, he revealed that the team had an overarching plan from the beginning, which included seeding plots and events that would unfold in future games.

Key Points from the Interview:

The team had a master lore document, only accessible to senior writers, which outlined the entire story arc of the series.

Gaider had a clear understanding of the world’s lore, including the return of Fen’Harel, and the concept of Solas as a character.

The team deliberately created a believable illusion of a rich history by sharing lore through the voices of characters, making it inherently fallible.

Gaider’s original cosmology design document for Dragon Age: Origins showed a circular diagram of the world, with a focus on the Chantry’s beliefs about a God located in a citadel.

Gaider’s vision for the series’ endpoint, where all secrets would end, is fascinating. He knew what was in the Black City, the central point of the lore web, but it’s unclear if he shared this knowledge with the rest of the team. As we near the end of the series, it’s exciting to think about the significant steps we’ll take towards Gaider’s original vision.