85 réponses à ce sujet

[GoldenGail3]

I'm more inclined to think that what keeps them from doing it is that not every story may necessarily be well-suited for it, and the multiple class/race options may make some backstories irrelevant. The thing that tied all of the origins together in DA:O was Duncan looking for a recruit to become a Warden and stop the Blight, but Inquisition doesn't really have anything like that. Most of the characters have no serious connection to the mage/templar conflict. Most are just spying on the people there, but don't have any stronger motivation beyond that. They weren't driven from their former lives because of some great calamity or betrayal. The only exception to this is the human mage, who actually had to flee for his/her life from the Ostwick Circle when it rebelled.

I know, that's why my Canon is a Female Human Mage. She had a reason for being there. I really would like the return of Origins, it's what makes DA, the origin stories. They attempted making a Wanna-be Shepard (Hawke)and failed. The Warden was the one I really liked, you can do a whole lot of crap with Origins in the picture.

[Phoenix_Also_Rises]

I agree with everything in the OP whole-heartedly.

 

The origins need to come back. To me, this is not a point of debate, it is a plain, unarguable fact. I honestly cannot add much more to what was already said - the OP especially was thorough and comprehensive - but that will not stop me from trying

 

The key word is involvement. I used to be a bit "meh" about DA:O in the past, but like fine wine and classical music, I have come to appreciate it more in my old age. The origins give the Warden context, a place in the world and in the grander scheme of things; he/she is not simply plopped down on top of a pile of debris, but the game says "Hello. This is you. And this is who you are, where you belong and what you connect to." It shows you that yeah, you are the silent fantasy RPG protagonist, so naturally you are the center of this universe, but you are also more than that. I know this is an odd thing to say about someone who, by their very nature, is already the most important person alive, but it creates an environment where things do not simply revolve around you; there are strings, connecting you to events and people happening and existing in the game. The Warden is more than just a main character - by having an origin and pre-existing relationships we get to experience, they become a person.

 

I usually play Cousland (for some reason, I have this weird thing about non-human protagonists, although I do adore dwarves to death and really appreciate having race options, even if I may not use them myself), and I cannot possibly imagine the main storyline having anywhere near as much impact if I did not get to run around the Cousland castle, interact with family, friends (or awkwardly ask about the well-being of offspring of family friends I most certainly do not have a crush on), and, yes, even Howe, or perhaps especially Howe. Life is good, right? Wrong. In the very next moment, all of that is taken away. From that point on, the motivation of your main character is not only about stopping the blight or dealing with Loghain; this sh*t is personal. That final confrontation with Howe, the outcome - honestly, to me it was more satisfying than resolving the whole Loghain situation later, or even the ending (fire ballistae at Old God dragon, dodge darkspawn, repeat until Old God dragon status = dead). It packed enough emotional punch that I had to run off looking for a mental equivalent of raw steak. Okay, that particular metaphor does not work, but you get my point. I mean, if nothing else, then just the fact that we are still here, years after the fact, whining for more of it has to mean something, right?

[Bhryaen]

When did I say I didn't like Dragon Age: Origins? 

I didn't mean to imply. I just read this:

 

... The only reason Origins was as good as it was(which wasn't very)...

I took considering a game not very good as not liking it.

[KaiserShep]

I know, that's why my Canon is a Female Human Mage. She had a reason for being there. I really would like the return of Origins, it's what makes DA, the origin stories. They attempted making a Wanna-be Shepard (Hawke)and failed. The Warden was the one I really liked, you can do a whole lot of crap with Origins in the picture.

 

 

I admit to being a bit indifferent to a wide variety of origins, but I suppose that's because I actually hate most of the origins in DA:O, particularly the Dalish and Mage backgrounds, which is a little ironic since the Dalish background is literally the only one where the character literally has to become a Warden because they've already been tainted. But seeing Jowan's stupid face at the Temple of Sacred Ashes is a travesty unto the Maker. 

[Hanako Ikezawa]

I didn't mean to imply. I just read this:

 

I took considering a game not very good as not liking it.

Oh, okay. I see how that can be confusing. I meant as good as it was at referring to your background choice post-Ostagar.

[Bhryaen]

I'm more inclined to think that what keeps them from doing it is that not every story may necessarily be well-suited for it, and the multiple class/race options may make some backstories irrelevant. The thing that tied all of the origins together in DA:O was Duncan looking for a recruit to become a Warden and stop the Blight, but Inquisition doesn't really have anything like that. Most of the characters have no serious connection to the mage/templar conflict. Most are just spying on the people there, but don't have any stronger motivation beyond that. They weren't driven from their former lives because of some great calamity or betrayal. The only exception to this is the human mage, who actually had to flee for his/her life from the Ostwick Circle when it rebelled. 

 

Similarly to DA:O, DA4 could share similarities to DA:O in having the new PC be whoever what's left of the Inquisition seeks to recruit to do whatever in Tevinter, but who knows.

The whole "spy on the Conclave" angle (for non-humans) wasn't developed though- both a somewhat lackluster approach in itself and also a potentially superb story hook that simply fizzled. They could have had Morrigan pass through the Lavellan clan, warning of what might happen if results at the Conclave don't go well, thus instigating the Keeper to send someone, or she could've contracted the qunari mercs herself because she was concerned, being their "mysterious client," or there might have been concerns by the carta leader that the mage-templar conflict would disrupt their lyrium deals, so they sent someone to get immediate word on how they should proceed, given the results of the Conclave event. All of those could have been the case (or better ideas), but none were explored. It was just "you were sent."

 

I don't think any origin would be unsuited to any main plot they might devise. They're imaginative folks after all. I have confidence in them.

[Bhryaen]

I admit to being a bit indifferent to a wide variety of origins, but I suppose that's because I actually hate most of the origins in DA:O, particularly the Dalish and Mage backgrounds, which is a little ironic since the Dalish background is literally the only one where the character literally has to become a Warden because they've already been tainted. But seeing Jowan's stupid face at the Temple of Sacred Ashes is a travesty unto the Maker. 

That's the beauty of multiple origins though: you don't have to like some single one they proffer. If you liked any, they succeeded. There are multiple to choose from and form opinions about. And keep in mind- hating is not the same thing as indifference. I used to loathe Jowan and his whiny voice- made plenty of quips about him on the old forums- (he ultimately grew on me, the rotten bastid) because I felt strongly about him and the situation I was in primarily because of his self-centered actions. He didn't even care if I died trying to help save his arse! But if they can write something you feel something about, again they've succeeded IMO.

[GoldenGail3]

I admit to being a bit indifferent to a wide variety of origins, but I suppose that's because I actually hate most of the origins in DA:O, particularly the Dalish and Mage backgrounds, which is a little ironic since the Dalish background is literally the only one where the character literally has to become a Warden because they've already been tainted. But seeing Jowan's stupid face at the Temple of Sacred Ashes is a travesty unto the Maker.

I dislike the Dalish Origin , but the Magi Origin has a special place in my heart. It was my first playthrough, after all. I don't really care the DN (sorry) or the DC and the CE. I like playing the Human Nobles, where I get to be queen! It's amazing!

[Andraste_Reborn]

I'd like to see a return to origins for DA4, or at least some kind of prologue where we get to establish our character before the proverbial hits the fan. I think one of the weaknesses of Inquisition is that you're thrown into the fire without any chance to establish a personality for the protagonist.

 

However, if they do them again, I expect them to expend fewer resources. The dwarf origins in DAO are both brilliant - some of the best parts of the game, IMHO - but only 5% of players ever saw them. That's a lot of zots devoted to a very small percentage of the player base. I mean, obviously the fact that a majority of players won't use something isn't, in an of itself, a good reason to cut it - otherwise they'd cut rogues and female PCs and stop putting endings on games. But it is something BioWare need to take into consideration.

 

Maybe it's as simple as just doing fewer origins? One for each class or each race? That way there'd only be three or four to worry about.

[KaiserShep]

I dislike the Dalish Origin , but the Magi Origin has a special place in my heart. It was my first playthrough, after all. I don't really care the DN (sorry) or the DC and the CE. I like playing the Human Nobles, where I get to be queen! It's amazing!

 

The only one I really care for is the human noble origin, partly because I prefer to play humans, but mainly because it's the only one that comes with a proper revenge story that gets to draw out dramatically near the end of the game. Other than that, the others don't feel as well developed to me, which I guess is understandable since it's quite a lot to devote to all of these playable sequences, a couple of which have their own dedicated level designs. 

[GoldenGail3]

I'd like to see a return to origins for DA4, or at least some kind of prologue where we get to establish our character before the proverbial hits the fan. I think one of the weaknesses of Inquisition is that you're thrown into the fire without any chance to establish a personality for the protagonist.
 
However, if they do them again, I expect them to expend fewer resources. The dwarf origins in DAO are both brilliant - some of the best parts of the game, IMHO - but only 5% of players ever saw them. That's a lot of zots devoted to a very small percentage of the player base. I mean, obviously the fact that a majority of players won't use something isn't, in an of itself, a good reason to cut it - otherwise they'd cut rogues and female PCs and stop putting endings on games. But it is something BioWare need to take into consideration.
 
Maybe it's as simple as just doing fewer origins? One for each class or each race? That way there'd only be three or four to worry about.

No, I've played the DN Origin and I thought it was decent, but it doesn't feel as good when you can delcare yourself Queen Consort

[Bhryaen]

I'd like to see a return to origins for DA4, or at least some kind of prologue where we get to establish our character before the proverbial hits the fan. I think one of the weaknesses of Inquisition is that you're thrown into the fire without any chance to establish a personality for the protagonist.

 

However, if they do them again, I expect them to expend fewer resources. The dwarf origins in DAO are both brilliant - some of the best parts of the game, IMHO - but only 5% of players ever saw them. That's a lot of zots devoted to a very small percentage of the player base. I mean, obviously the fact that a majority of players won't use something isn't, in an of itself, a good reason to cut it - otherwise they'd cut rogues and female PCs and stop putting endings on games. But it is something BioWare need to take into consideration.

 

Maybe it's as simple as just doing fewer origins? One for each class or each race? That way there'd only be three or four to worry about.

People still tend overwhelmingly to play human- probably always will be the case- but players may not be able to play monarch in DA4 to make the human origin so sexy, and I think Varric in DA2 and Scout Harding and others throughout the DA series have raised interest in dwarves from DAO's time past the 5%. Or maybe not, but like you said- the dwarf narrative in DAO was brilliant- remains brillant- and now there's a load more dwarven lore to take in. If they add dwarf mages- or some variant based on contact with the Titan that grants special dwarfy powers- interest may raise even more. Or not. Still, DAO wouldn't have been the game it was without the dwarf or other non-human origins. It actually means more to choose human when you have a choice. And a lot of people love elves and now qunari as well. I don't know what the stats are, but I certainly see a lot more of us non-human fans on the forum than can be ignored outright with good reason. A great deal of the players of their game are digging their non-human content immensely.

 

If they limit each origin to a single instance, that would obviously make their lives (and job) easier, but they would be also be forced to boil down each race to a single type, making their creative job harder. They do need to keep it feeling organic and try exploring new character experiences. And limiting themselves that way would not be nearly as excellent as having, say, a noble human and (at long last) a commoner human. Having two each does now mean eight origins rather than sixish (an elf mage had a few extra lines in DAO). If they also make a full nine companions, yeah, it's a lot of writing and choreographing to provide for. I mention that at the end of the OP. But it will also be very worth it, and if they focus on the origins and companions in their new main plot rather than on making Assassin's Creed fetches or huge side areas that aren't as well-integrated into the game experience, they'll have a lot more resources to work with. They're veterans by now at hammering out narratives that involve large quantities of variables, so, although it's probably still a considerable amount of work to design and check thoroughly, they're in a better position today to do it than they were back in DAO's time given the dev tools at their disposal.

 

Ultimately it will depend on what they want to do. They're not going to give us anything they have no interest in, alas... So I'm just hoping they're still inspired by what they've already made enough to start building on it. Their original game in the series certainly still inspires their player base and its unique origins component could inspire a new generation of rpg'ers.

[Ilwerin]

I played all origins in DAO and in fact I probably enjoyed origins most in the whole game - I always enjoy to replay them, just them. Like a refreshing short story when you have only hour or so for playing  IMO DN was absolutely the best (and returning to Orzamar as DN was... touching), with CE and CM on the second place (although I usually play as human in most games). Of course all those great characters we have met with Duncan in the first place...  

These origins make so many people love the Warden most of all three protagonists. I would really like something like this in the next DA...

[Korva]

I must be among the few who sees no merit in the origins at all.

 

First off, I didn't really like any of them. The only one that wasn't "meh" or worse was the human noble, and even that had elements that grated on me badly. Second, they are a red herring -- once over, they are completely meaningless. Third, I have issues with the writers trying to force relationships on me instead of being able to choose which NPCs I want to grow closer to. Fourth, I simply prefer the "basic framework with room for headcanon" approach that Inquistion used. I am far more attached to "my" Trevelyan family than I ever was to Bioware's Cousland family.

 

I'll preach this till the cows come home: IMO, the problem with Bioware's protagonists (especially in this 5-minutes-of-fame-and-then-disposed-by-any-means franchise) is that they are not allowed to be characters, nevermind the most important characters in their stories as the protagonist generally should be. A character can be a character with a super-detailed background or with nothing but a basic framework. What matters is being allowed to explore and express our characters in-game, have the world around us take an interest and remember and react to what we say and do. That isn't happening, that is what needs to change -- though sadly the writers show no inclination to do that. As long as PC/NPC interactions remain a strictly one-way affair of us providing characterization and development options for them but almost never getting even a moment's genuine compassion or curiosity in return, even the most elaborate backstory in the world isn't going to actually be worth anything.

[AntiChri5]

I strongly disagree.

 

I have lost count of the amount of characters I have abandoned in Ostagar because the majority of divergence in the game is restricted to the first few hours. Once the Origin is over, I realize the rest of that playthrough will just be the same old **** with the occasional person saying "Hello, you are an elf" before their normal interactions begin.

 

Origins just blow their load way too early. What I want is sustained divergence or unique content seeded throughout the entirety of the game. Instead of spending two hours with your Dalish characters clan before the conclave or whatever, I want them to send people to Haven and Skyhold to check on you, so you can talk to them. I want a unique quest in the middle of the game. I want different ending options.

 

I also want things like class and specialisations to offer such.

[Semyaza82]

  Would absolutely love to have origins come back. For every full play through I did I probably played each origin six or seven times. They added so much to DAO, with so many parts of the game having a special meaning for different origins. Dealing with Arl Howe as a human, going to Orzammar as a dwarf (and different within that for a commoner and noble), as a Mage seeing the circle you grew up in falling apart, visiting the Alienage as a City Elf. 

[Bhryaen]

I must be among the few who sees no merit in the origins at all.

 

First off, I didn't really like any of them. The only one that wasn't "meh" or worse was the human noble, and even that had elements that grated on me badly. Second, they are a red herring -- once over, they are completely meaningless. Third, I have issues with the writers trying to force relationships on me instead of being able to choose which NPCs I want to grow closer to. Fourth, I simply prefer the "basic framework with room for headcanon" approach that Inquistion used. I am far more attached to "my" Trevelyan family than I ever was to Bioware's Cousland family.

1. So did you even like DAO? If none of the origins appealed to you much, did the main story? I assume you played through it? But this doesn't mean that origins in DA4 would be just as unappealing to you, of course, so adding origins to DA4 is not exactly off the table.

2. I didn't find them "meaningless." Even if they'd been only at the beginning, that would've added a great story element. I just would've been left hanging. But they didn't stop there: they included a return experience and choices at the end, at least for non-humans. Humans got different extras. But I'm not arguing for a repeat of DAO's exact approach, mind you. I would argue they go further.

3. Are the relationships with Varric, Cassandra, and Solas forced as well? You have no choices in the beginning- just them- or solo it- and you only pick up Dorian before Skyhold- which is potentially a lot of hours with that same group. Should we have The Iron Bull, Blackwall, Vivienne, etc. already in Haven- or at game start? At a certain point I'm willing to just back off and let the devs create something for me. Life is like that. No one chooses their family or their background. It's chosen for us by the world around us. That's why, even if I thought Jowan was a nitwit, I never thought, "How dare the devs give me such a character!" (Actually I did think that with Dog, but I'm not unaware that plenty of players enjoy a companion like that, so... It's not all about me.) You play a character in a set of circumstances. Most people enjoy acclimating like that quite a lot. But you're certainly entitled to your own druthers.

4. Origins in no way contradict a "basic framework with room for head-canon." They just lay more framework than, say, Baldur's Gate which just makes whatever you're playing a generic character in those circumstances. If you prefer BG's format, I'm not going to say you're "wrong." Unlike what you're saying about origins.

 

I'll preach this till the cows come home: IMO, the problem with Bioware's protagonists (especially in this 5-minutes-of-fame-and-then-disposed-by-any-means franchise) is that they are not allowed to be characters, nevermind the most important characters in their stories as the protagonist generally should be. A character can be a character with a super-detailed background or with nothing but a basic framework. What matters is being allowed to explore and express our characters in-game, have the world around us take an interest and remember and react to what we say and do. That isn't happening, that is what needs to change -- though sadly the writers show no inclination to do that. As long as PC/NPC interactions remain a strictly one-way affair of us providing characterization and development options for them but almost never getting even a moment's genuine compassion or curiosity in return, even the most elaborate backstory in the world isn't going to actually be worth anything.

Describing DA as a "5-minutes-of-fame-and-then-disposed-by-any-means franchise" sorta makes you not the most typical DA fan- if one at all- and your criticisms then must be couched in that context. But I agree: they could adopt the origins approach again but do a lousy job of it. As they could if they don't adopt it. Adding origins experiences isn't mutually exclusive with the "better protagonist experience" you describe. From my experience with DAO's origins I found that such a game dynamic can contribute strongly to "being allowed to explore and express our characters in-game, have the world around us take an interest and remember and react to what we say and do." Moreso than with a single origin or a vapid origin. In fact, with attention to this throughout the game, not just in a few game sections, there is a deep potential for such a thing in DA4.

[Bhryaen]

I strongly disagree.

 

I have lost count of the amount of characters I have abandoned in Ostagar because the majority of divergence in the game is restricted to the first few hours. Once the Origin is over, I realize the rest of that playthrough will just be the same old **** with the occasional person saying "Hello, you are an elf" before their normal interactions begin.

 

Origins just blow their load way too early. What I want is sustained divergence or unique content seeded throughout the entirety of the game. Instead of spending two hours with your Dalish characters clan before the conclave or whatever, I want them to send people to Haven and Skyhold to check on you, so you can talk to them. I want a unique quest in the middle of the game. I want different ending options.

 

I also want things like class and specialisations to offer such.

Reading what you say it seems like you actually strongly agree, not disagree. I tried to make this clear in the OP, but apparently I could have been more explicit: I don't just want a repeat of DAO's origin experience; I want to see it throughout the game. I want to see that element developed. And it would be best if it weren't "staged," in the sense of just getting an origin-specific experience at X location, Y location, etc. Better would be, elves get one at A, G, and J locations, dwarves at B, C, and Q locations, etc. Something that feels more spontaneous and natural to each situation. For instance, a Dalish or qunari might not have as much to say in the ruins of the Hissing Wastes or Descent as a dwarf. Or a dwarf or qunari might not have as much to say in Val Royeaux or the fort in the Exalted Plains as a human, particularly if there were an Orlesian human origin. Or maybe a qunari would have something to react to in Val Royeux given the nature of the qunari origin they create. Even an elf might have comments in the Winter Palace given how racist the humans were and how racially stratified the servant staff was. But none of that happened with particularly much frequency in DAI- not with the protagonist and not with companions (there was some after all with companions). So I'm advocating for adding more of just such content in DA4. Then the "divergence" of origins, as you say, would indeed be more than a few hours, wouldn't "blow its load" early, and, yes, we'd get "sustained divergence." Exactly what I want and have been arguing for.

 

And the devs don't have to stop at just making characters pipe up here and there. They could create whole areas relevant to a single origin- or very relevant to multiple origins differently- that have quests and NPC interactions that bolster that experience- and companions that react differently generally or in certain situations regarding our origins, and sustained relationships from origins that develop over time. There really isn't anything to hold them back on developing origins content other than the limitations of creating the game within a certain amount of time and keeping within the parameters of the main story they're trying to tell. They'd just have to commit to that focus.

[Absafraginlootly]

Whilst I see the value of having a very unset background that allows you to head canon whatever you like, I very much enjoy that in elderscrolls games, thats not what draws me to Dragon age games.

 

I first got Dragon Age Origins because it stood halfway between a blank PC that allows you to be anything but never have the game respond to that, and a set pc where the games responds but you don't get to have your own character.

 

Its a compromise where I share my character with the writers so I can have a more responsive game and more personnel story, and still control most, but not all, of who my character is.

 

I really enjoy this and would rather they not stray too far towards a set, or a blank protagonist.

[GoldenGail3]

Whilst I see the value of having a very unset background that allows you to head canon whatever you like, I very much enjoy that in elderscrolls games, thats not what draws me to Dragon age games.
 
I first got Dragon Age Origins because it stood halfway between a blank PC that allows you to be anything but never have the game respond to that, and a set pc where the games responds but you don't get to have your own character.
 
Its a compromise where I share my character with the writers so I can have a more responsive game and more personnel story, and still control most, but not all, of who my character is.
 
I really enjoy this and would rather they not stray too far towards a set, or a blank protagonist.

So you support Origins? Good, we need more Origin supporters, we can't have another Hawke (a set character)

[Shechinah]

They could have had Morrigan pass through the Lavellan clan, warning of what might happen if results at the Conclave don't go well, thus instigating the Keeper to send someone, or she could've contracted the qunari mercs herself because she was concerned, being their "mysterious client,"

 

I personally dislike the idea of Morrigan having such involvement: I like that the Lavellan clan took the iniative on their own to investigate the Conclave since it would be likely obvious that the potential outcome of the summit would impact their lives especially if said outcome was a bunch of mages and templars faring unrestrained around with better or worse intentions and control.  
 

[AntiChri5]

Reading what you say it seems like you actually strongly agree, not disagree. I tried to make this clear in the OP, but apparently I could have been more explicit: I don't just want a repeat of DAO's origin experience; I want to see it throughout the game. I want to see that element developed. And it would be best if it weren't "staged," in the sense of just getting an origin-specific experience at X location, Y location, etc. Better would be, elves get one at A, G, and J locations, dwarves at B, C, and Q locations, etc. Something that feels more spontaneous and natural to each situation. For instance, a Dalish or qunari might not have as much to say in the ruins of the Hissing Wastes or Descent as a dwarf. Or a dwarf or qunari might not have as much to say in Val Royeaux or the fort in the Exalted Plains as a human, particularly if there were an Orlesian human origin. Or maybe a qunari would have something to react to in Val Royeux given the nature of the qunari origin they create. Even an elf might have comments in the Winter Palace given how racist the humans were and how racially stratified the servant staff was. But none of that happened with particularly much frequency in DAI- not with the protagonist and not with companions (there was some after all with companions). So I'm advocating for adding more of just such content in DA4. Then the "divergence" of origins, as you say, would indeed be more than a few hours, wouldn't "blow its load" early, and, yes, we'd get "sustained divergence." Exactly what I want and have been arguing for.

 

And the devs don't have to stop at just making characters pipe up here and there. They could create whole areas relevant to a single origin- or very relevant to multiple origins differently- that have quests and NPC interactions that bolster that experience- and companions that react differently generally or in certain situations regarding our origins, and sustained relationships from origins that develop over time. There really isn't anything to hold them back on developing origins content other than the limitations of creating the game within a certain amount of time and keeping within the parameters of the main story they're trying to tell. They'd just have to commit to that focus.

We agree that race/background should offer a decent amount of unique or divergent content, yes. Where we disagree is how that's implemented.

 

I think that Origins are a bad way to go about it because they load up the beginning with wholly exclusive content. This means that there is less exclusive content to seed throughout the entire game. Development isn't free, unfortunately. Resources are finite. The origins had their place in Origins, but going forward I think they are just too inefficient. 

[Bhryaen]

I personally dislike the idea of Morrigan having such involvement: I like that the Lavellan clan took the iniative on their own to investigate the Conclave since it would be likely obvious that the potential outcome of the summit would impact their lives especially if said outcome was a bunch of mages and templars faring unrestrained around with better or worse intentions and control. 

lol I was pulling that storyline possibility out of the air off-the-cuff... with no game writing background or team of colleagues to consult. Don't take it seriously. I wasn't advocating the idea, just showing how some narrative could have been done other than what was done to explain clan involvement- i.e., nothing. The issue I was illustrating was only that point. A better idea might be the Keeper sensed some disturbance in the Fade- or your protagonist was interested in Chantry events due to contact with humans and wanted to go (as I roughly head-canon it)- or something. They just didn't invest in an explanation at all.

[demonicdivas]

I

 

Origins are identity-based, not just encounter-based. Were you a cutthroat or a compassionate sort before joining the Wardens (or becoming a Herald, for that matter)? You don't just assume that. You demonstrate that with choices well before you're busy saving the world or fighting for your life. Head-canon is inevitable regardless of origins or not, but it gets sooo much more rich when you actually play through your own "pre-story." Origins let you be before you go do.

 

 

Completely agree. The whole of Origins felt like a much more personal experience than what we got subsequently. BioWare excel at developing characters who you can relate to - for DAI though, I found it hard to get my head round my own Inquisitor.  

 

The lack of origin story wouldn't be such a downer if we had some kind of family connection. I felt connected to Hawke's family... Brosca, Tabris, Aeducan... if we had some kind of significant connection to our background, to our past, I wouldn't be fussed at not having actual playable origins. I think dwarven Inquisitors suffered the most from this, since we had such a brilliant introduction to Carta life in DAO. Compared to that, Cadash's experience seems sorta... lackluster.

Frankly, headcanon only goes so far. I don't want to feel like I'm playing a blank slate MMO protagonist. If I wanted to make it all up in my head, I'd write a fanfic.

 

I got so frustrated with the lack of background to the character I actually had to go off and write something out myself. It was way too vague and - seemed as if unless you were a human noble everyone ended up at the Conclave as a spy.  That was a bit weak imo. The start left much much to be desired, as did the subsequent dialogue for the Inquisitor.

 

Decisions impacted on other characters around me - companions anyway, but I didn't get the same sense for the Inquisitor. Someone mentioned the word bland which is exactly right.

[Xcorpyo]

This is a nice thought, but I don’t know if it’s doable anymore. Especially since they keep adding new races and don’t forget the mage/fighter/rogue differences. You’ll need different mage starting points for Dalish, human and Qunari, etc. It would take much of the dev’s focus, and let’s face it, most casual players won’t try more than two of those, if they get that far. So they chose to get the extra content for all players, rather than have parts that a casual player will never see.

 

And I don’t think you’ll react like the Inq if you have an hour of play time immersing yourself in your character and your race/religion.

They went for the blitzkrieg approach, knowing that if you only read your race/char history on a card will not be enough for a deep immersion, and before you know it, you are taking orders from some Chantry stooges, are sticking your arm in green stuff, and bam, you are the Chantry’s new poster boy as the Inq and the Herald of Andraste.

 

If you would have played an hour as a noble dwarf by that point, you would be more inclined to give Cass the finger, call everybody a bunch of Stone touched idiots at the Herald part, and ask for a damn lawyer when Cass is having her ‘you did it, confess!’ bit in the dungeon to scare you into helping them.