2068 réponses à ce sujet

[ElitePinecone]

If the vast majority of the characters from the leaked survey are still in, it makes me wonder what the point of the survey was in the first place.

 

It wasn't a survey to decide which characters would be in the game. I don't know why people believe this and I don't even know how that idea got started. Why would Bioware even rely on random people to determine their companion list, rather than it being something that was worked out by David Gaider and Mike Laidlaw years earlier?

 

It was a marketing survey. Its purpose was to see which characters, features, and PR language ("engage with a visceral open world and compelling combat with deep party members") was most attractive to people, so that they better knew how to market the game. At the time the survey was made DA was expected to be released in late 2013, which meant they had to start preparing its advertising campaign based on what people found most interesting.

[oceanicsurvivor]

It wasn't a survey to decide which characters would be in the game. I don't know why people believe this and I don't even know how that idea got started. Why would Bioware even rely on random people to determine their companion list, rather than it being something that was worked out by David Gaider and Mike Laidlaw years earlier?

 

It was a marketing survey. Its purpose was to see which characters, features, and PR language ("engage with a visceral open world and compelling combat with deep party members") was most attractive to people, so that they better knew how to market the game. At the time the survey was made DA was expected to be released in late 2013, which meant they had to start preparing its advertising campaign based on what people found most interesting.

So, essentially, its our own fault that we don't know who these other companions are b/c we told Bioware they weren't marketable?

[Vapaa]

Okay, but this could be problematic because Wynne does not survive in some playthroughs. So I think this definitively kills Evangeline's chances.

 

Wynne is a dead woman inhabited by a spirit, it wouldn't take a lot of explanation to explain her survival.

 

Also, Leliana.

[ElitePinecone]

So, essentially, its our own fault that we don't know who these other companions are b/c we told Bioware they weren't marketable?

 

I'm not sure what you mean? They probably had a schedule for revealing companions anyway, and the game was delayed by a year after the survey was made. Bioware's marketing people might've even done more surveys since then, especially if they pulled the other one from the internet because so many people were leaking it.

 

(And even then, companions weren't even really a focus of the survey. It had sections on which name people preferred for DA3, which text descriptions of the plot people liked, which game features sounded interesting, etc.)

[BackdoorPaco]

Wynne is a dead woman inhabited by a spirit, it wouldn't take a lot of explanation to explain her survival.

 

Also, Leliana.

 

Pretty sure Wynne was confirmed dead-dead by devs if you had her killed.

Leliana's plot armor doesn't work for other companions.

[Nocte ad Mortem]

They are both pro-circles, how does that work? And Cassandra is going to like Vivienne going by her comment about the type of mages she believe should lead the circles in DotS (or she's going to regret believing that, lol).

 

But I agree that the game doesn't need companions for every factions at odds in the game. The Orlesian civil war, the mage/templar war, the Chantry schism, Ferelden's problems, Neverra's problems, Elven's issues, etc are all ambients for Inquisition's narrative, they are not the main goal.

I don't think they necessarily always balance the representation, exactly. At least not be specifically rationing the factions. An apostate, like Morrigan or Merrill, can represent an alternative to mages in the circle without making the character primarily about the issue, as Anders was. My point was mostly that they already have two characters who's main faction revolves around the mage/templar issue. There are so many more factions, adding in a templar seems pretty unnecessary, to me. That's especially so when those characters related mainly to the issue are already basically siding with the templars. 

 

It seems like we mostly agree, though. I just don't want them to load up too many companions on one issue. I already felt a bit disappointed that DA2 was too heavily fixated on just mages and templars when there are so many other world issues in Thedas.

[azarhal]

On the subject of VO... Bioware did that little blog feature recently with Claudia Black, AND Steve Valentine confirmed he was in the booth on Twitter. Do you think Bioware would have the most important or least important characters' actors record first? If it's the former, that might strengthen Cullen's chances as a companion.

 

David just did a blog about VO and it suggest that anyone being recorded super early was not for anything important because:  "Once the characters are cast—and this process takes place quite late in development, as you want those lines as settled and final as they can possibly be—the scripts start being printed."

 

I suspect he went on the booth for casting purpose, not recording of lines.

[ElitePinecone]

I think the companions seem pretty diverse in terms of which conflicts and storylines they'll tie into. DA:I seems like it has a larger scope both geographically and in terms of the story - I don't think it'll be as focused as DA2's was. 

 

Cassandra and Vivienne are likely interested in stopping or calming down the mage-templar war, the Iron Bull has qunari conflicts in his past, and the Warden could be connected to some revelations in the new Dragon Age book in August, as well as whatever the other Grey Wardens are up to. We also shouldn't forget that Cassandra is Nevarran royalty (which gives her a completely different character angle when we go to Nevarra).

 

Sera and maybe Solas could be interested in an Orlesian elven rebellion, unless one of them is from Ferelden? Cole is.. Cole... and DHMG might have an insight into the Venatori cultists if he tuns out to be from Tevinter. 

[JeffZero]

Yeah, if the companions can be tied into the plotlines that well I'm going to be very happy.

[GVulture]

How ? Cole was listed among the "Characters scenarios" unlike Cullen.

 

What points to Cullen being a companion ? Apart from a picture in the survey and his presence in the War room concept ?

 

 

No, please...no.

There is also his spot in the Survey, just like Cole. Evidence supports Cullen more than Cole because post-survey he has been featured in concept art. There is also the art from the Deep Roads that has Inquisitor, Vivienne, Solas and a... Templar.

 

There hasn't been anything for Cole past the survey.

[GVulture]

Hm.  Was poking through concept art for more potential companions.  I came up with this one:  http://mattrhodesart...age/59421377339

 

The person on the right looks like the Inquisitor, but you can also see a hooded, green-clad rogue--looks like a dual-dagger rogue, too.  The body shape doesn't look feminine, but the figure is wearing a skirt/robe, despite the two daggers.  This is one of the older concept arts, so whoever it is may have been scrapped or drastically redesigned.  Any opinions on the guy/gal in green?

That art is confusing, because Matt Rhodes SAID that red sash was supposed to mean Inquisitor and they both have a sash and eerily similar outfits. I don't think the hooded figure is Cole though, because the hooded one looks like the hooded Fem!Quisitor in the "all she surveys" concept art.

[GVulture]

That's not a solid argument though.  You were using the lack of evidence as meaning something and I simply pointed out that there are other confirmed companions who also didn't have companion stories, so your point was invalid.  I wasn't saying that the fact that he might have a companion story means that he might  be a companion.

 

 

Here's what we have for Cullen:  we've seen him in the leaked survey concept art; we've seen him in the war room concept art; we've had confirmation that his VO was in the studio recording lines.

 

Here's what we have for Cole:  we've seen a description of him in the leaked survey (which a dev later said one of them wasn't still in the game and Cole is one of only two who haven't been confirmed, meaning he has a 50% of being the one who isn't in anymore) and we've had a quote from a dev saying that someone from Asunder was in the game.

As for someone from Asunder...

 

We have concept art of someone looking Leliana. We have art of a mage lighting herself on fire like Adrian. We also pretty much are guaranteed to have Lambert, I would hope, it would suck to build up such a protagonist and then waste him. I find it HIGHLY likely we will meet either Fiona or Rhys (possible Evangeline

Spoiler

if Wynne was alive in Origins to resurrect her

) to discuss mage rebellions.

Honestly, if we get Cole in the game if find it more likely that

Spoiler

he might be a villain or wearing a Lambert Meat Suit

than a companion.

[daveliam]

Firstly, a developer *never* said how many characters from that survey weren't in the game anymore, and I wouldn't be so quick to believe in that statement anyway. It's in their interests to discredit it early on precisely because anything less than that would've meant we knew about six or seven companions way back in 2012.

 

I think the existence of something saying Cole is a companion is - until proven wrong - the absolute strongest evidence, period. The bio says Cole is a rogue, it gives a companion plot arc, and it's featured alongside two other characters who are in the game, and one who seems very likely to be in.

 

It doesn't make any sense to me to just disregard what the devs say because you have a hunch that they might be lying.  We have nothing to suggest that their statement was any kind of misdirection, so it should be taken at face value.  The fact is that they have stated that some of the characters in the survey aren't in the game anymore.  There were four characters in the survey:  one has been confirmed; a second is all but officially confirmed.  The logical assumption is that one (if not both) of the remaining characters (Dorian and Cole) are no longer in the game.  Looking just at the information about Cole, we've had zero supporting evidence since then to suggest that he's still in the game.  This is why I don't think Cole is still in the game.  Maybe he is and I'm completely wrong.  But using the evidence provided, I'm leaning towards him not being in the game.  You can interpret that information differently, if you'd like.  I need something else (besides just a statement that a character from Asunder is in the game in some capacity) to make me think that this character is still around, specifically as a companion.

 

We have never seen Cullen in the party.

 

We have never seen Cullen confirmed as a companion, or with the Inquisitor in any other situation but that War Room art - where David specifically said that many of those characters weren't companions. 

 

Everyone else in that room, with the exception of Cullen, Leliana and Scribe Lady, has been seen in other circumstances as a companion.

 

Agreed.  I don't think that there is strong evidence for Cullen either.  I am leaning towards him being an advisor at this point.

[GVulture]

David just did a blog about VO and it suggest that anyone being recorded super early was not for anything important because:  "Once the characters are cast—and this process takes place quite late in development, as you want those lines as settled and final as they can possibly be—the scripts start being printed."

 

I suspect he went on the booth for casting purpose, not recording of lines.

Or they had a large portion of his lines done and didn't have to cast anyone for Cullen because well... he was already Cullen. There was a deleted tweet from Greg Ellis that was something like "Ohhhh, so THAT'S what Cullen's last name is." =p

[happy_daiz]

Pretty sure Wynne was confirmed dead-dead by devs if you had her killed.
Leliana's plot armor doesn't work for other companions.

 
Yep, I believe you're right. And also...
 
Asunder spoiler

Spoiler

Wynne dies in Asunder anyway, so whether the Warden killed her, or not, at this point in time, she's deader than a doornail.

I still think Evangeline would be a way more compelling character than Cole, as she's now sporting Wynne's fade spirit. My opinion only, of course.

[Vapaa]

There is also the art from the Deep Roads that has Inquisitor, Vivienne, Solas and a... Templar.

 

It's not a templar, it's someone in a plate armor, and not a Templar plate armor (a Templar plate armor has a long skirt).

[Ava Grey]

While Cole is an interesting character, i'd personally rather he had NPC status over follower. Otherwise so far we would have had DA:O/Spirit possessed Wynne, Awakening/Spirit possessed dead Kristoff and DA2/Spirit possessed Anders. Cole would make 4 for 4  and while I know Cole's situation isn't quite the same as the others, (apart from Kristoff/Justice) i'd kinda like one game where we weren't dealing with another spirit companion, but that's probably just me.

[ElitePinecone]

There is also his spot in the Survey, just like Cole. Evidence supports Cullen more than Cole because post-survey he has been featured in concept art. There is also the art from the Deep Roads that has Inquisitor, Vivienne, Solas and a... Templar.

 

There hasn't been anything for Cole past the survey.

 

The armoued figure in the Deep Roads looks like the Warden. Maybe even Cassandra. They both got a lot of plate armour variations in this blog post.

 

[xarthas2]

Hm.  Was poking through concept art for more potential companions.  I came up with this one:  http://mattrhodesart...age/59421377339

 

The person on the right looks like the Inquisitor, but you can also see a hooded, green-clad rogue--looks like a dual-dagger rogue, too.  The body shape doesn't look feminine, but the figure is wearing a skirt/robe, despite the two daggers.  This is one of the older concept arts, so whoever it is may have been scrapped or drastically redesigned.  Any opinions on the guy/gal in green?

 

There are other arts (and in-game footage, I think) that showed a hooded figure. For example, this one http://1.bp.blogspot.../DAI_Tavern.jpg Or maybe is just an Inquisitor?

[happy_daiz]

While Cole is an interesting character, i'd personally rather he had NPC status over follower. Otherwise so far we would have had DA:O/Spirit possessed Wynne, Awakening/Spirit possessed dead Kristoff and DA2/Spirit possessed Anders. Cole would make 4 for 4  and while I know Cole's situation isn't quite the same as the others, (apart from Kristoff/Justice) i'd kinda like one game where we weren't dealing with another spirit companion, but that's probably just me.

 

I agree, but obviously BW really loves having a possessed companion, with exactly the examples you've stated. I mean, they're batting 1000 thus far, right?

 

Which is why I personally think Cole doesn't make sense, and Evangeline would. Having a possessed companion does require having a body, after all. (And the thought of another Kristoff is not particularly appealing, tbh). Then again, I know Evangeline is probably not likely; and even if she was, I'd want it to be a package deal with Rhys.

[ElitePinecone]

That art is confusing, because Matt Rhodes SAID that red sash was supposed to mean Inquisitor and they both have a sash and eerily similar outfits. I don't think the hooded figure is Cole though, because the hooded one looks like the hooded Fem!Quisitor in the "all she surveys" concept art.

 

Yes, it's quite confusing. Both characters are wearing red sashes, and the hooded one is holding a bird - which has also been a symbol of the Inquisitor in concept art.

 

But if the one behind is meant to be the Inquisitor, who is the man standing in pride of place? I hardly think they'd want the player to be standing back in such a pivotal scene (and one that looks so pretty), so he looks like he should be the Inquisitor too. And if he's not the Inquisitor, he doesn't look like any other character we've ever seen.

[xarthas2]

I try to keep in mind that the concept art can be really missleading. Just take a look to the ME3 art Rhodes uploaded. Its nearly impossible to foresee any pice of usefull info from those.

[Nocte ad Mortem]

As for the Cullen/Cole evidence argument, I think the evidence just suggests different things.

 

The evidence for Cole suggests that either he's in and a companion, or he's just out. I doubt we're going to see him in the capacity of an NPC. He was conceptualized in game as a companion, we can be sure that was his original intent if he were to make it. I think we can make a pretty sure guess that it's all or nothing with him. It's not 100%, but I think that's the most likely case.

 

The evidence for Cullen suggest there's an EXTREMELY good chance we will see him in the game. At this point, I would be very surprised if we don't see Cullen in any capacity. However, there's no real compelling evidence to suggest he will be a companion. His positioning and weaponless representation in the survey suggests there's a good chance he was conceptualized as an NPC, as was the scribe girl. We've never seen him in any art or screen shots that would suggest he's functioning as a companion. Considering the composition of the war room, I think process of elimination lends more to the theory that Cullen, scribe girl and Leliana are going to be our main NPCs at the keep. 

 

I'd say what the evidence suggests is that Cole is a companion if he's in and nothing if he's out, but the evidence for Cullen is more leaning towards him being in, but as an NPC. Dorian/DHMG seems to have more evidence as a companion right now than either Cullen or Cole. The lack of evidence entirely for literally anyone else leads me to still mostly lean towards Dorian and Cole being our final cut, but I wouldn't be extremely surprised if this doesn't turn out to be the case. If it's not Dorian and Cole, I would expect it to likely be Dorian and someone they've just kept very well hidden. 

[azarhal]

Or they had a large portion of his lines done and didn't have to cast anyone for Cullen because well... he was already Cullen. There was a deleted tweet from Greg Ellis that was something like "Ohhhh, so THAT'S what Cullen's last name is." =p

 

It was Gaider who said the "So that's Cullen's last name".

[ElitePinecone]

As for the Cullen/Cole evidence argument, I think the evidence just suggests different things.

 

 

I agree with every word of this If Cole isn't a companion, I suspect the ninth spot will be somebody totally unknown. 

 

I think it's worth remembering that the War Room concept art - the only one in which Cullen has appeared - contains characters who are not companions. Of everyone in that image, Cullen, Leliana and Scribe Lady are the only ones who haven't yet been mentioned or seen elsewhere as party members. Cassandra, Solas and Varric have been confirmed as companions, and DHMG looks highly likely to be one too. 

 

Three characters for three arms of the Inquisition is a good theory that someone else brought up earlier - Cullen and Leliana make some sort of sense for the military and espionage branches, respectively, and Scribe Lady was pictured writing down notes, maybe doing a stock inventory, in her survey pic. She was also wearing an awful lot of gold:

 

 

If those three characters are based at the Inquisition's headquarters, it would explain why they were in the War Room, but also why we haven't seen them anywhere else.