‘Dragon Age: The Veilguard’ Just Got A Surprise Free DLC, But Only For A Limited Time

Forbes - Mar 25th, 2025
Open on Forbes

Dragon Age: The Veilguard has been a major disappointment for both fans and publisher EA, failing to meet sales expectations and leading to concerns about the future of the franchise. The game, criticized for its departure from the series' tactical roots and its less engaging narrative, saw EA quickly withdraw support, announcing no further DLC and disbanding the development team. However, in a surprising turn of events, a new free DLC, 'Rook’s Weapons Appearance Offer,' has been released exclusively for PC players, available until April 9th. Despite its unexpected nature, the DLC's content, consisting of weapon and armor skins, has not been well-received by the community, with many finding it lackluster.

The release of this DLC is particularly noteworthy as it contradicts EA's previous stance of no new content for the game. This move raises questions about EA and BioWare's strategy and engagement with their audience. The game's failure has sparked discussions about the direction of the Dragon Age series, with fans lamenting its shift from deep RPG roots to a more action-oriented approach. The scenario underscores a broader trend in the gaming industry, where developers attempt to cater to a 'modern audience' at the risk of alienating long-time fans. The situation has sparked a conversation on platforms like Reddit about the future of the franchise and the need for a return to the depth and complexity that defined earlier Dragon Age titles.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a mostly accurate account of the situation surrounding Dragon Age: The Veilguard, focusing on its underperformance and the unexpected release of a free DLC. It is timely and engages a specific audience interested in the gaming industry. However, the article lacks balance, transparency, and source quality, which affects its overall reliability. While it effectively communicates the main points, it could benefit from a broader range of perspectives and more explicit sourcing to enhance its credibility. The article's impact is limited to the gaming community, and its potential to provoke controversy is moderate, primarily within this niche audience.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article accurately reports that Dragon Age: The Veilguard underperformed in sales and was a disappointment to both fans and EA. It correctly states that a surprise free DLC was released, which was unexpected given previous announcements. However, the claim about the team being disbanded is partially inaccurate; while there were team changes, it wasn't entirely disbanded. The article also accurately describes the DLC's availability and lack of social media promotion. Overall, the article presents mostly accurate information but could benefit from more precise details regarding the team's status.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents a negative perspective on Dragon Age: The Veilguard, focusing on its failures and criticisms. It mentions the game's deviation from traditional RPG elements and its comparison to God of War, but lacks a balanced view by not including positive aspects or fan opinions that may exist. The article could improve by incorporating a broader range of perspectives, such as those from fans who may have enjoyed the game or industry experts discussing the game's development challenges.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and easy to understand, with a straightforward narrative structure. It effectively communicates the main points about the game's performance, the unexpected DLC, and the perceived issues with the game's design. However, some sections, such as the description of the DLC content, could benefit from more detailed explanations to enhance reader comprehension. Overall, the language and tone are appropriate for the topic.

5
Source quality

The article does not explicitly cite any sources, which affects its credibility. It references general fan reactions and company actions but lacks direct quotes or references from EA, BioWare, or credible industry analysts. The inclusion of specific sources, such as official statements or interviews, would enhance the reliability and authority of the information presented.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of how the information was gathered and the basis for its claims. It does not disclose any methodology or sources, which makes it difficult for readers to assess the validity of the information. Additionally, the article does not address potential conflicts of interest or biases, which could affect its impartiality. Providing more context and clarity about the sources and methods used would improve transparency.

Sources

  1. https://www.thegamer.com/dragon-age-the-veilguard-new-dlc-free-march-20/
  2. https://www.vg247.com/dragon-age-the-veilguard-free-pc-dlc-out-of-nowhere
  3. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/dragon-age-the-veilguard-gets-a-crumb-of-support-as-ea-offers-free-weapon-skins-to-coincide-with-a-50-percent-discount/
  4. https://www.ign.com/articles/dragon-age-the-veilguard-gets-surprise-free-weapon-dlc-after-months-without-an-update
  5. https://gamerant.com/dragon-age-the-veilguard-free-weapon-dlc/