As a long time listener, I must thank you both for your powerful beam of positivity in a sea of negativity. I will follow your lighthouse until it retires!

I can always rely on you guys to be grounded and reasonable. (I already listened on Spotify but am re-listening)

I'm glad I'm not the only one that liked the trailer. Honestly, I know I'm not the only one, but it can be really hard when comments on EVERY social media post are SO negative it can be hard to be happy about something I've been waiting 10 years for, so it's nice to hear from similarly-minded people!

The one time I say, 'I like to respond to comments,' you guys drop 214 comments in the first day lol. I love all y'all - we've been through a lot and I know I speak for both Caitie and myself that we still dig doing this for y'all as much as anything. Dragon Age summer here we come.

You can be hyped and enjoy both BG3 and Dragon Age

The Dragon Age games never look like the trailers. 😁

Okay, but genuinely, the fact they have Caitie on the council, helps ease my fears a lot.

I absolutely get where some of the detractors are coming from, because between the art style and the purple colors, the game looks indistinguishable from some Fortnite ads I've seen in casual scrolling. It's definitely a learned skill not to get too wrapped up in trailers (speaking as someone who definitely got suckered by implications of Tears of the Kingdom marketing over a year ago).

Caitie, I totally understand your reasoning on shutting down social media things for now. I don't want the negativity of the mob to influence my own experience on the game. I might just do a full black out myself after tomorrow until I have played the game.

Welcome back Caitie and Jordan! And congrats Caitie for your role in the Bioware community! As someone who was here the first podcast where y'all admitted split the veil wasn't the best name, looking forward to a Dragon Age release with y'all finally lol

Rook was just a slave Pawn in dragon's dogma 2. Now he is finally having a protagonist role. Haha

Not to be sentimental in the comments but I started listening to this podcast when I moved a few years ago and binged through every episode while painting and decorating, and now I am once again moving and am so excited to have new Dragon Age things to hear y'all talk about while I decorate another home. Y'all really have gotten me through some stressful moving moments and I appreciate the work you guys put in so I'm not dying of boredom while trying to make my space cozy to game in.

I trust Catie. But she said she wasn't involved in anything lore related... So I must assume the council wasn't consulted on the tone of the trailer, nor the title of the game (should have been common sense for the council to advice dropping the "The")... So what was the purpose of the feedback the council was supposed to give? Idk, feels like the council itself is just marketing... Still, I'll wait and see...

I have been a fan of Dragon Age since Origins first released in my early high school years. I won't lie the latest trailer made me nervous but I think that comes with any game release. I have also followed Ghil since her early vids and knowing that she has been privy to more info than us and is still excited, makes me excited. I loved the look of the elven ruins in the trailer and I just can't wait for tomorrow to see gameplay (sadly I have to wait a bit longer as I live in New Zealand).

The protag is Rook. Read it on an official announcement.

The number of people on Reddit who were positive compared to youtube shocked me and convinced me that everyone in those youtube comments needed their nappy changed. I've never seen so many people get their undies in a bunch over a trailer that doesn't even have gameplay. Dragon Age fans need a reality check or to go touch some freaking grass.

Yo, shoutout to Final Fantasy: Tactics Advance for being one of the best games on the GBA and one of the best Final Fantasy games in the series and I’ll die on this molehill.

The way I would describe BG3 is it almost feels like DA:O 2, or at least all the time I’m thinking to myself “man, there were a lot of people on this dev team who loved Dragon Age Origins”And it makes sense why it would feel that way, like you said, DAO was the spiritual successor to BG2, and BG3 was its literal successor. I think that kind of vibe might lead trolls to say “Baldur’s gate is more dragon age than dragon age” But you guys hit the most important point, there’s room in the world for both :)

So happy to here you got to work with BioWare! As for the trailer overall I loved it and while I was somewhat hesitant on the artstyle. Looking at the gameplay sneak peek and the game screenshots posted by gameinformer im confident that one the games gonna look great and two that the actual artstyle of the game is gonna follow in the footsteps of inquisition!

Don't get worked up about the comments, people on KZfaq specifically have been very... not just negative, but mean-spirited about both the new game and BioWare in general. The comments section of the trailer looks like a disaster zone of insults, wild speculation and malicious misinformation. Idk what's going on honestly, the part of the DA fandom on tumblr seems fine...

I just saw the gameplay sneak peak and while it does make me think of inquisition a bit, for some reason I am getting really strong dragon age 2 vibes - in a really good way, like if da2 had more time and money. I am with you guys that it's best to wait to judge until minimum the gameplay trailer, but ideally until the game actually comes out. Like i get that people are worried but oh my gosh, the negative comments are so much and so draining! I feel like you're not even allowed to be excited but i don't care I'm EXCITED!!! I love the dragon age world and i can't wait to see more. And it doesn't have to be "Better" than bg3. I just want dragon age and that's all.

To be perfectly honest, yesterday kind of left a sour taste in my mouth (I guess that’s par for the course though with DA marketing through the years lol) but seeing the short 20 seconds of gameplay today and hearing that a lot of trusted people have seen more and say “just wait” definitely helps. Maybe it’s just the fandom copium, maybe it’s actual faith in BioWare idk. As long as it feels like DA and has the tone and depth and soul that we’ve all come to love, I’m happy. 😅 and I’m tentatively excited to see more and more in the upcoming future and, hopefully, come this fall drown myself in Dragon Age lore again. Side note: use the sound board more. That shit is hilarious. 🤣🤣

I already listened to this podcast on Spotify, but I can only imagine how difficult it is to stay silent when you have more knowledge of the final product and witnessing the fan panic (me included for a while there) I definitely did not like the trailer, and it made me worry about the writing tone, but the gameplay teaser seems like the actual game will be the Dragon Age we love. As long as the writing is consistent, we will have a gem. Also, I am ready to romance Neve.

The Splitting of the Veil is truly upon us Also I just want to say I literally can't listen to Magister or whichever tavern song you guys use for your intro and outro without waiting to hear Jordan saying like "so what IS up with spider with hands?"

Seriously Katie, really happy for you and really happy that they included you. You've always been critical of there mistakes and at the same time very positive. Like many of us on the fence the news that you were in it give me hope. Kudos, congrats and keep it 100%

They put 20 seconds of game play on Twitter and I'm so much more excited now haha. I know I'll love it, so much so that I'm waiting to schedule a minor surgery until the actual release date is revealed so I know I'll be able to play while I'm off my feet for two weeks. 😂

I thought the trailer looked bad, but the short clip of gameplay restored my faith a little bit because it looks so much better. I'm a major Dragon Age fan of many years, but I thought the trailer looked ... corny. I think the game is going to be good though.

I like the change of new companions, but I was hoping for a Solas appearance in the trailer. The best part was that Harding looked like Princess Fiona from Shrek especially the hair.

34:43 Truth! I love Dragon Age and 2 was my favorite. I really just want to play a new Dragon Age, so I know for sure I will love Veilguard no matter what.

Came from Apple podcast to leave a comment. I’ve been listening to the pod since it launched & it’s still one of my favs (name and all lmao)🥺 You both take my thoughts that i struggle to explain and speak on it so eloquently! 35:00 Caitie sounded so sincere here like it almost made me tear up OOOF. Y’all are so down to earth, it’s always refreshing to hear y’all’s takes ❤ appreciate you both!!

im so excited for tomorrow. honestly my first reaction was mouth open too stunned to speak lol. kinda didnt enjoy face animations but i figured its just for the trailer so i wasnt too bothered. Congrats to Caitie

Shocked at the negativity. So excited for all of this!

BG3 is 100% the best game I've ever played, but people are forgetting that the original games WERE Bioware! I've described my feelings playing it as the same I had playing DA:O for the first time. The biggest difference for me is that BG3 is based on existing 5E lore, none that's original strictly to Larian. And DA is completely original lore, which is going to be a completely different experience. I don't know what The Veilgaurd will be like, but what I do know is that the story will be original and vastly different than BG3 and that's what I'm excited for! BG3 and even Divinity would not be here if not for the influence of Biowares early writing. I think DA4 has every bit a chance to stand on it's own, and maybe DEVs will even find inspiration from BG3s success for future games, ya know? I think it's silly to pit games against each other that will ultimately both be fun to play and experience.

I know no one can answer this right now, but I really want people to answer this once they are allowed. Did they remove the real timer for missions? The wait real world hours mechanic. I really hope they remove that feature

I am so happy there is a video up already because I am so obsessive about the news

Caitie's cackle remains my favorite part of this pod lol

My takeaway is the people that are upset and saying they are going to Baldurs gate 3 is the lack of dark fantasy feeling in the character trailer. My main worry is going to be the ret-cons, lore mistakes, or overall design changes again. The character trailer left a bad taste but I'm reserving judgement for the gameplay trailer and even later the overall story. I'm still getting the game weather it be release or later simply because I love Dragon Age.

Genuinely happy to hear your takes on this after seeing just the persistent bashing everywhere i looked after the new name and trailer dropped. Looking forward to watching the gameplay tomorrow!

I didn't rly have any negative feelings on the trailer but I think I divorced origins from the rest of the series a long time ago and really had no expectations. I'm surprised by how excited I am!! 😊

I am genuinely shocked by the response to the companion trailer. It was very obviously a stylized promo that they wanted to show off the new companions and probably have a little bit of fun with since it's been so long, only to be met with vitriol from origin bros. The under a minute trailer didn't even showcase gameplay, plot, or any writing. I personally can't wait for the gameplay that's going to be showcased as it'll show us how veilguard is really going to be like.

Its so great to hear you both! Im excited. Im also hoping to see maybe Fenris, not as a playable character, but in the game. Like Morrigan or Hawke.

After the brief gameplay clip they teased out today and hearing that we're going to have faction choice *and* be able to customize our Inquisitor, all fears I had from the trailer are dispelled. I'm chalking it up to EA's marketing department still not knowing how to market Dragon Age I agree that comparing Veilguard to BG3 isn't really going to do anyone any favors (though for what it's worth I'm already anticipating I'll like Veilguard more because I am one of the few people on the planet who *didn't* like Baldur's Gate 3, lol) Very excited for the full gameplay reveal tomorrow!

How does Harding have powers ? I’m confused as to why you didn’t mention the dragon at the end in the black city

SO EXCITED TOO GET BACK INTO UR VIDEOS AFTER THIS LONG WAIT!!!

So when should we all start our replays in preparation for DA:Ve

These guys are not ready when they get hundreds of thousands of viewers after Da4 drops

I actually love the name Split the Veil!

Always happy to hear from you guys even if Jordan is retired ❤Another good episode ❤

I need to watch/listen you guys more lol I've watched almost all of Katie's videos though and I hope to start creating DA content myself. You guys are my inspiration along with the love I have for these games and developers and I'm soooo happy for you Katie! Congrats!

I think my biggest concern is that the characters in DA have consistently become more and more complacent with the world being destroyed around them. Im currently replaying Origins, and the way NPC's discuss the Blight and potential civil war makes me truly feel there is an impemding crisis. The Elves are concerned with their own plight but dont take the idea of the blight as something to scoff at amd while the dwarfs seem disconnected with the world they still take themselves and dark spawn very seriously. DA2 introduced the idea of some lighthearted characters who can joke at the horrors they endure, but the game still took itself seriously. DA:I felt like most every companion was either one or the other. They are completely grounded and would not budge or joke at all or can't take anything serious to save the lives of those around them even if they thought they couldn't save anyone. This cast from what I've seen makes me feel like maybe one or two characters MIGHT take themselves seriously while the rest are just here for the ride, and maybe they'll save the day if they're lucky so we night as well laugh all the way there. I can't for one moment take the game seriously with a trailer like this, and I want the game to make me feel like there is something seriously at stake. I want to be wrong. However, I won't hold my breath.

The way DAV is being compared to baldur's gate is like how inquisition was compared to witcher 3. They're not like, interchangeable. I like baldur's gate but I'm exhausted by the turn-based combat, I'm excited to return to thedas.

Couple things: One, I always love hearing you guys speak about video games in general. Your ability to see most, if not all, perspectives and take them into consideration when discussing topics is truly refreshing. Two, my thoughts on the art style. Each dragon age has looked different from the last, and the trailers have never been conducive to the game. I personally like a cartoony art style, it can stand the test of time much longer than photorealistic graphics. I think it’s jarring to some because Baldur’s Gate 3 is photorealistic and so was DA:I. I quickly had to look away from the KZfaq comments on the trailer for my opinion was beginning to be colored by negativity. I’m looking forward to Tuesday to see actual gameplay. Three: this is just for me and other native people in the comments but I laughed a little too hard to Caitie saying she was on council. It’s basically a Native American meme, people who are on council have political power and like to throw it in your face. You can google it and a video spoofing the trope can be easily found. However, congratulations for making it on the community council, and how guarded you are on your opinion has me excited for Tuesday and for when you can more openly speak.

I swear, there was enough salt in that trailer comment section to pay a Roman legion. Probably more than one. I’m glad to see that’s not the case here. I just got back from watching the gameplay showcase, and all I will say is that I’m excited!!!!

Split the veil... The veilguard... Hmm... Are you the baddies???

I wanna talk about BG3 vs DA:V hype too! I’m way more hyped for DA:V in this media cycle than I was for BG3 last year, and while I was playing it I did really enjoy it but there was something about the Dragon Age franchise that I was desperately missing that BG3 didn’t satisfy. Maybe it’s the nostalgia, maybe it’s my deep attachment to Dragon Age, but even if it can’t compete with reigning champion BG3, I think I’m going to enjoy DA:V more than I enjoyed BG3. Even though it’s an objectively spectacular game, even if it’s subjectively better than Dragon Age has been, there’s something special here that I’m longing for - in the way they tell their stories and write their characters and build their world. Just another hardcore fan sitting listening to a Bioware podcast in 2024 I guess 😂😅

I'm just glad to have more dragon age finally ❤ I missed Baldur's Gate due to lagging technology and having a kid, but I am going to fix my computer for Dragon Age... And my son is old enough to entertain himself now haha

We went from Red to Green and now purple. I am ambivalent and shall see what the story is written. Also, talks of faction origins, but maybe not, who knows.

Dragon age VS BG3 is like apples and oranges to me. Yeah their fruit but they're so different.

I loved the trailer! I disagree that it looks like Fortnite and had Marvel like Banter. It seems that people get more hyped with the more in game content shown, so that's good. I've not seen anything that has me feeling down so far!

Jordan you're a chill dude and I like your voice

Glad to hear from you guys 🥰

11:11 In the words of Flemeth “names are pretty but useless”

I am pretty much like you guys... being lukewarm excited about DA4 The Veilguard. LIKESPIKE D VIDEO! FOLKS ❤

OMG SO FAST AFTER REVEAL! HELL YEAH

So glad to see u guys so soon. I thought i was negative about this game but apparently i was barely compared to the raging fans rn it seems like no matter what the game is people are trying to label it as a " woke" game and cancel it before anything substantial has been released. The gaming community is more toxic than ive seen in a long time

When the trailer started, I honestly thought it was an announcement for a new animated show. Even the tone doesn't feel like DA

Great video as always! Looking forward to the next one!

I love hearing both of your takes. The trailer just seemed like a continuation of The Missing comics to me. I will be extremely surprised if the game actually looks like that. I don't see how Varric could be that old and if he is, the Inquisitor is probably dead. I think the name was Rook. BG3 is not as great as people say but take that with a grain a salt. I just bought BG3 after purchasing a new gaming computer so I was shocked with having to deal with all the glitches and not being able to finish quests without going back hours of gameplay to do so. Some of the known glitches are baked into your game file so the only way around it is to start a new game or mod it. I can only play games with a gamepad and the layout of the ability/spell wheels was horrid. Needless to say, I never made it out of Act 1. I absolutely loved playing as a bard/warlock character though and being able to do things any character should be capable of like lockpicking! That is and will forever be my biggest gripe with DA, not being capable of using a lockpick with any background and not having a 1st person option.

I'm also so much more excited than I thought I would be! BG3 definitely overwhelmed me, I would have loved playing it more if I was younger and had more time, I'm actually happy DA keeps moving away from that technical crpg style 😅 I think MA:A had some of the most fun combat I have experienced, so hoping a bit for that feeling, but the most important is the story and the characters for me

I like the art style, but the main problem with it is, after they told us they would be going in a more dark fantasy route, the art style tells us the opposite. But I am still down for everything I'm seeing if it isn't exactly what I want.

I don’t get why people were automatically so negative 😭 We’ve waited 10 years for this! Art direction and designs change. Not to mention Dragon Age has a track record of the trailers not looking like the games. I’m excited and can’t wait to finally play this game 😁

After watching the Gameplay Trailer I am relatively excited. I am just curious aboht what the actual leveling system will look like. I am hoping it will be more in-depth than Inquisition, and we will at least have the option to directly contol our attributes, instead of only through passive abilities. Maybe it can be an option to turn on/off for players, or there can be an auto-level option for the attributes specifically based on class, or what skills/specializations you typically use to help balance it for players who want that broader depth of control

I really hope they don't kill Varric off. I kind of hate the killing the mentor trope. Especially when it's the character who's basically become the face of the franchise. It'll be like when Han Solo was killed off. Alot of fans just turned on the new characters with a very "you're not my real dad" vibe. Crow in Destiny got similar hate even though I think that might be the best handling of that trope I've ever seen.

Whether you personally like the trailer or not. The fact stands that it is marketing, and it failed miserably.

Why are people acting like the criticism of the trailer is just roaring mob without any reasoning behind it? if anything it shows something went wrong. Lots of these people are long time fans of Dragon Age (if not most/all bioware games) who have been waiting for continuation for 10 years and we got really poorly done "reveal" trailer (with some questionable stuff like Veil Jumper) which showed absolutely nothing about the game. I believe it would be much better if bioware introduced the reveal trailer as character reveal or something.

Bioware have the luck to have a DA core fan comunity. We will love the game, if character and story is their. DA2 was my lowest point. As long as i can play the game and they have had more time then in DA2 i am good and will buy this.

It's great to hear from y'all again so soon, especially you Mr. Retired! Congratulations Caitie! I am still so glad bioware realized your passion and love for this series could be helpful in keeping it steered in a good direction. I hope I am not part of the toxicity you've been experiencing, I know I ask silly questions often (and regularly hate on Solas), but I appreciate the interactions you provide still. Unfortunately, dude bro gamers are in every community and if some have issues with women, well it sucks to be them. They have no place in this community. I'm still amazed they're talking about "woke" for any bioware game period. Y'all make some very valid points, but I'll argue I still want a game that looks like the Sacred Ashes trailer. It's been 20years! Gimme that CG remake! Give me Dragon Age Legendary Edition! Like Ea's remaster (MELE) outperformed FFVII Rebirth (and Remake!) in terms of company expectations. EA needs to just listen to Flemeth and leap into the Abyss (Remaster time). Thank y'all for your time, as you're busy adults. It's always a joy to hear the passion y'all have for these series. I'm excited for what DA, ME, and you folks do next!

I kind of feel the need to point out that Dragon Age 2 holds up far better than it has any right to partially because its art style is kinda cartoony. Also, Zelda the Windwaker, art style was panned, but it's beloved today because it still looks good.

I admit. I am disappointed by the direction. They seem to be going. DAI had a pretty good art style that felt held back by the engine at the time. And I think the new gameplay direction kind of boring lame seeing how many god of war like games we have seen recently.

Can wait to play the game. I liked the trailer and looking forward to get to know them.

WE'RE BACK BAYBEEEEE I hate that I understand that some people part of the Community Council would want to disclose it to the fans because they really can be downright scary. It's gratifying to hear that they have taken pillars of the DA community to get feedback on the game! Congrats, Caitie ❤ Jordan, you are hilarious with the soundboard. Second on the "The". I like the name change to rather reflect the "heros" rather than the "villain". I let myself fall off the DA wagon a bit so that I wouldn't get sucked in with the negativity, because it is so easy. Even now, the comments under things posts from so-called fans are so negative and doom-saying! I was kinda ignoring DA but this trailer has brought me back to my high school days when Inquisition dropped and I am giddy. I will marry Taash. The art-style is whatever. I don't think the art style in the trailer is at all refelctive of what the actual gane will look like. For me personally, I've been getting bored of the striving towards realism and enjoy a more stylised look. Either way, story is more important to me. My favourite comment on the YT video was saying that Solas is gonna look like Megamind 😭 We better be able to take Harding to Hightown. Lol I have 300 hours in BG3 and still haven’t finished the game, so now I have a fire under my ass to actually finish it. Sorry for the long comment, I'm just do excited that this is coming back and to listen to y'all talk about it!! ❤

Got to watch Darrah's and Catie's stream! Can't wait for gameplay, since hopefully that gives us more insights. Working on some fan art to hopefully showcase by release!

I'm so glad to hear you guys have a reasonable reaction to the trailer while the general community seems to be losing their sh!t! I think the trailer the way it is because BW want to make a distinct impression from BG3, so they make a faster paced and more energetic game (there are 3 members and no pause now). From what we've seen so far it still looks like a solid Dragon age ip

I don't like the "the" or the introducing a cast of characters style of the trailer, it didn't feel like a first look trailer, more like the last trailer we'd get just before a release. But whatever, i won't judge it based on that, waiting for gameplay. And hopefully a story trailer.

Coming after the Gameplay reveal. The actual Reveal trailer was absolutely garbage and did nothing but grow my uncertainty with the game. But the gameplay reveal tells a very different story. I loved it.

My only issue with new name is they've portmanteau'd two words I always mess up the vowel order with. I will never spell it right. BG3 is good, but it's not as good as people say it is (for me at least. Act 3 issues aside). Essentially, it's DoS2 with DnD restrictions. DAVE is probably not going to sweep the GOTY awards, I don't expect it to. As long as it's my "cozy" Thedas time, I'm good.

On the whole DragonAge/BG3 discourse- at least for me personally, I found myself far more invested and interested in the story of DragonAge over BG3. Both are great but something about DragonAge captured me in a way BG3 didn't. Maybe it was the multiplayer aspect or that I just felt more interested in the combat in BG3 rather than the dialogue. But regardless, there's literally no reason to compare them. Enjoy them both in your own way. I don't get the whole "its one or the other"....just enjoy both for what they are.

After seeing the small 20 second game play clip they released today it definitely looks more like a dragon age instead of a fortnight

I love final fantasy tactics advanced, too! I felt like no one else played it.

I missed these podcasts

Omg hi it's me ❤

Guys was this actually the 100th episode????

First thing i did when isaw the announcement was come here again after a couple years glad to see its still going i really did not like the feel of the trailer but I really hope I can enjoy the game considering how deep i was in for years

thoughts: claps deserved Caitie, we're so proud of you you guys need to use the sound board more OH I did hate the "The", it's cleaner without it varric looks older, but to be fair, all of us do now I noticed a lot of similarities between veilguard and DA2/ME2, the companions, the setting, game mechanics, and the mission I LOVE THE ART STYLE, FOR ME IT'S AN EVOLUTION OF INQUISITION'S THEY LOOK RELEATED AND IT'S FUN, I LOVE FUN so I'm definitely excited but not as much as I was at 15, a lot has changed, I haven't played a dragon age game in a while but somehow in spite of troubles I'm very f excited.

35:03 wow the Dragon Age 2 slander 😂

As happy as i am that Harding is the Dwarf companion, im upset its ANOTHER surface Dwarf and not one who at least grew up in a Thaig. Dwarf commoner is my favorite origin and it sucks we dont get to learn more of that history anymore in favor of Varric being a goofy lil guy. Like, Sigrun from Awakening was so cool, i want more Dwarves like her

I like just Veilguard. The...doesn't mesh with the other titles.

I liked the trailer! I liked the tone and I think everyone looked cool. It feels like alot of people just want to be negative but until we play it we won't know it sucks, so give it a chance.

39:20 there really is no comparison between BG3 and DAV they clearly have very different goals and I’m just glad I live in a world where I have BG3 if DAV decides to go in a direction I can’t follow. Edit: perfectly said by Jordan.

I haven’t fully listened to the video yet but I honestly liked the trailer well enough. The only thing I didn’t like was the music because it made me think of a football (or soccer to some) game somehow. 😂