BioWare’s upcoming title,Dragon Age: The Veilguard, wants to set a new benchmark in PC gaming within the franchise, showcasing features like ultra-wide resolutions and ray tracing. This technological leap highlights how far the series has come since the days ofDragon Age: Origins. WhileOriginsremains a beloved classic, its performance on modern PCs leaves much to be desired. The contrast between these two titles raises an important idea:Dragon Age:The Veilguardcould be the catalyst for BioWare to revisit and refreshDragon Age: Originsfor a new generation.
Dragon Age Origins And The Need for Optimization
As PC gaming hardware continues to advance, older titles often struggle to keep up, andDragon Age: Originsis no exception. Despite its iconic status,Originsfaces numerous performance issues on contemporary systems. Gamers frequently encounter crashes, compatibility problems with newer GPUs, and a notorious memory leak that leads to frustrating gameplay interruptions. For a game that still sees regular sales on platforms like Steam, these issues are not just inconvenient—they’re a significant barrier to new players who would like to dive into the game that launched the series.
In itsrecent blog post, BioWare emphasized that theDragon Agefranchise ‘started out on PC,’ highlighting its commitment to making the platform a great place to playThe Veilguard. This focus on PC is essential for the series' future, particularly given thatDragon Age: Originsis often regarded as the definitive experience on this platform due to features like the isometric camera angle, which was absent in console versions.
BioWare’s dedication to over 200,000 hours of testing for PC compatibility with TheVeilguardshowcases its commitment to optimization. However, this raises the question of whyDragon Age: Origins, a cornerstone of the franchise, hasn’t received similar attention. After BioWare dedicates such resources toThe Veilguard, it seems only fitting that it invests in a remake or remaster ofOriginsto ensure it performs smoothly on modern hardware.
A Case for Remastering Dragon Age Origins
The technical challenges associated with runningDragon Age: Originson modern PCs highlight the need for a remaster. Current players often find themselves forced to search for mods or tweak files to get the game running properly—a process that can be daunting, especially for those unfamiliar with PC gaming. One of thebiggest selling points of theDragon Ageseriesis arguably the ways in which players can customize their story across the series, but it’s hard to enjoy that experience on PC ifOrigins' performance suffers. This is a significant detractor to revisiting the decade-long narrative.
BioWare could revitalize the game by making it appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers. It could resolve existing compatibility issues, upgrade the graphics with high-resolution textures, improved lighting, and modern shaders. Ensuring smooth performance across various hardware, including ultrawide monitors and newer GPUs, would make the game more accessible. Quality-of-life improvements, like a streamlined user interface, faster load times, and refined combat animations, could further enhance the experience.
The Financial Argument Why a Dragon Age: Origins Remake Makes Sense
Beyond the technical and nostalgic reasons, there’s also astrong financial case for aDragon Age: Originsremake. The game still enjoys a dedicated fanbase, and its frequent sales on platforms like Steam indicate that there is a consistent market for it. However, the frustration many players face due to its outdated performance could deter future sales and damage the game’s reputation. By investing in a remake, BioWare could tap into this existing demand while also attracting new players who may have been put off by the technical challenges of the original.
WHERE TO PLAY
From the makers of Mass Effect comes the dark fantasy epic: You are a Grey Warden, one of the last of a legendary order of guardians. With the return of mankind’s ancient foe and the kingdom engulfed in civil war, you have been chosen by fate to unite the shattered lands and slay the archdemon once and for all. (1) Immerse yourself in a shattered world on the brink of annihilation; (2) Experience complex moral decisions that have game-changing consequences; (3) Sculpt your hero in your own image or fantasy; (4) Engage in bone-crushing, visceral combat against massive and terrifying creatures
