Whether you despair or delight at the sight of cosplay, one thing's for certain, fans of that brand - be it, comic, cartoon, TV show, video game or film are an enormously dedicated bunch. The same thing goes for those who spend their artistic hours in sketching, busily recreating the exploits of the player on the page.
Sadly, some developers are less in touch with their creative fanbases than others, with the end result being that some beloved characters miss out on all the action. Stumped by a lack of reference materials or confused by lifeless community hubs, it's no wonder many gamers stick to the more well known of characters. Thankfully, for fans of Dragon Age: Inquisition, developer BioWare is more than aware of your needs. The reason? Jessica Merizan of BioWare community support is one of you.
Writing on the company's official blog page this Monday, Merizan recounts her own cosplaying exploits and eventual employment within BioWare. Having encountered many of the issues associated with pre-release cosplaying, Merizan is better placed than most to tackle these oversights, starting with a brand new initiative named the Dragon Age: Inquisition 'Character Kits.'
Kicking off with "Witch of the Wilds" and perpetual fan favorite Morrigan, these multi-part breakdowns feature an in-depth look at a character in costume. With close-up views of everything from jewelry to hairstyles and stitching to seams the creation 'Kit' provides a one-stop reference for any fans planning on recreating Morrigan's ball gown attire.
Discussing the impetus behind the move, Merizan states: "I don’t know if you creators out there are aware of how much of your work is printed and plastered around the office or on computer/television monitors. During crunch or late nights, it’s a great reminder that video games inspire people–which, in turn, inspires our developers."
While the introduction of community-centric kits is a definite win, it's particularly encouraging to find studios drawing inspiration from fans. Perhaps the next stage in the producer/consumer relationship will see amateur artists and costume designers engaged in competitions to have one of their designs featured in the game itself. Look out for new Dragon Age: Inquisition character kits in the weeks and months ahead.
Is any of your work currently adorning the walls at BioWare HQ? How can developers become more involved in their creative fanbases? Is research and guesswork a major annoyance, or all part of the charm in cosplaying pre-release titles? Have your say in the comments below, and be sure to check in with all of the latest Dragon Age news right here on Game Rant.
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Dragon Age: Inquisition releases Q3, 2014. The game is scheduled to appear on Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4 & PC platforms.
Follow Sam on Twitter @GamingGoo.
Source: BioWare Blog