While initially announcing the new Dragon Age title at the Game Awards 2018, BioWare has mostly kept quiet about the upcoming fantasy RPG. There have been teases and leaks of information about the game formerly known as Dragon Age 4. However, now it seems that BioWare is gearing up for the floodgates to open for the upcoming RPG, giving it an official new title and logo recently.Dragon Age 4, now known as Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, showed off its new name with a bright purple and white logo. This is a first for the series, compared to the red and white logos associated with Dragon Age 1 and 2. Inquisition also differed from the tradition set by the first two games, but that logo went for a green and gray design. It seems that, despite Dragon Age: Dreadwolf's logo marking a stark difference from the other games of the franchise, in other ways the latest Dragon Age title may be returning to some of the franchise's roots.While, like most other Dragon Age games, Dreadwolf will feature a customizable protagonist and the typical BioWare role-playing elements, the upcoming game may also see a return to more linear play spaces. Dragon Age: Inquisition gave the franchise its first experience with a fully open-world design. And while fans enjoyed being able to go wherever they pleased, BioWare has proven with both its Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises that it prefers to stick in some linear gameplay every now and again. It seems from a new level designer position advertised at BioWare that Dragon Age: Dreadwolf will be combining open world with more linear spaces.
The level designer position is specifically advertised as being for a Dragon Age title, with reference to the right candidate having experience in "closed and open-world layouts." While some fans may be initially disheartened to hear that Dreadwolf won't be allowing for a fully open experience, others believe BioWare is taking steps to assure the newest Dragon Age game will have a consistently strong narrative. Already the story elements of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf are being picked apart by fans, after the title was connected to Solas AKA the Dread Wolf, who is likely to be the game's antagonist.
If Dragon Age: Dreadwolf allows for a mix of open exploration tied in with some linear moments akin to the experience of The Witcher 2, it is unlikely that ditching a full open world will make the game any less enjoyable on its own. Those expecting the release of a new Dragon Age this year may want to settle in for a bit longer wait, though, as the fact that the company may still be looking for level designers to work on the game implies there is still much to be done.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is in development.