Even if you go beyond the very extensive character creator, Dragon Age: The Veil Guardian includes a whole range of ways to roleplay a gender fluid character, especially when it comes to dialogue options. It’s a seamless integration that adds an extra layer of robustness to the role-playing experience, and one that the developers were keen to add.
“We know how much it means for players who want to choose these options to feel seen and have that experience of actually celebrating and reflecting the joy they feel in their own authenticity,” explained Game Director Corinne Busche versus igamesnews.
While this is the first time a Dragon Age game has allowed you to create and roleplay an explicitly trans character, it is not the first time a trans character has appeared in the franchise. Dragon Age: Inquisition had creama mercenary in the Iron Bull Company who was also a trans man. This was pretty revolutionary at the time, although in retrospect there were some dialogue options regarding Krem’s gender that could have been handled differently (there is one Opportunity to ask him if he is a womanfor example).
But in the 10 years since then inquisition, The discussion about gender identity and the portrayal of trans and non-binary people in the media has changed.
“The topic is complex, the language is complex and it is constantly evolving,” said Busche. “The way we as a society think about and describe gender identity has evolved since previous versions of Dragon Age. I’m very proud of something inquisition That’s what I had done with Krem, and yet today we’ll perhaps approach some elements of it a little differently. Especially when we think about the ideas of disclosure, how these belong to the individual, those deep moments of introspection where one can really examine: Who am I? What does this mean for me? What role does it play in my life?”
One of the early moments of The Veil Guardian involves Rook, the player character, in his private room, where he unpacks some personal items and thinks about various aspects of himself, such as his class and faction. This also includes the opportunity for Rook to comment on and determine her gender identity through an internal monologue. It’s a small interaction, but one that colors the character nicely. But the game goes beyond that. Rook may also choose to discuss her gender with other characters, in scenes ranging from advising a companion figuring out their own identity to approaching a potential romantic partner.
“My favorite moments on this topic are not just the moment of introspection and the opportunity to tell yourself that you are trans or non-binary,” Busche explained. “It’s actually those reveal moments that happen later on, when you meet another character that you want to reveal, or when you start to develop a relationship with one of your companions and want to reveal something.”
Ultimately, the developers wanted to personalize the experience. Some players may want to play a trans or nonbinary tower and not engage in dialogue. others may want to talk openly with other characters about their gender identity. What’s important is that there is a choice for this in this game.
“Disclosure belongs to the individual,” Busche said. “So you could decide that your character, your Rook, is trans and you don’t reveal it. This is yours. And if so, these moments are so relatable and feel so personal. I really love the depth of storytelling it opens up for us. I have to say I cried more than once.”
