BioWare explains why players can’t control companions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard
BioWare has shared insights into why players won’t be able to control companions in the upcoming installment of the Dragon Age series, The Veilguard. This decision comes as a surprise to fans who are used to having full control over their party members in earlier games.
Reason behind the change
According to game director Corinne Busche, the decision to limit player control over companions in The Veilguard was influenced by the technical demands of the game. With a higher level of actions per minute required from players, allowing full control over companions was found to be more of a hindrance than a benefit to the overall gameplay experience.
Busche explained to Edge magazine, “Players need to immerse themselves in the role of the new character, Rook, and focusing on their actions without the added burden of managing companions. Removing control over party members actually increased player engagement with the game.”
Player influence over companion behavior
While players won’t have direct control over companions, they will still be able to influence their behavior during combat. For instance, companion Lace Harding will have preset behaviors that players can activate through the combat wheel. This system allows for some strategic input from the player without overwhelming them with micromanagement.
Benefits of limited control
One of the benefits of not controlling companions is that they will have their autonomous lives and paths in the game world. Each companion will have their own unique story arcs, interactions with villains and other characters, spread across various regions in the game. Players can choose to engage with these arcs or let them unfold on their own, leading to different outcomes and character relationships.