Dragon Age: The Veilguard - Soaring to New Heights? Cut Concept Art Reveals Rideable Griffons

The Veilguard Nearly Had Rideable Griffons in Thedas: Dragon Age

Imagine exploring the stunning scenery and taking part in exhilarating aerial combat while riding a magnificent griffon across the skies of Thedas. According to freshly released concept art, rideable griffons were originally intended for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, so this fantasy nearly came true.

The chief concept artist at BioWare, Matt Rhodes, posted this intriguing look inside the game’s creation on his ArtStation profile. The artwork shows a brave warrior charging into battle against a terrifying dragon while perched atop a formidable griffon. This picture suggests the thrilling possibilities that might have been by conjuring an atmosphere of epic scope and adventure.

A “What If” Situation: Dragons versus Griffons

During the early stages of the game’s development, Rhodes stated, a “what if” brainstorming session gave rise to the idea of rideable griffons. The team investigated the possibility that griffons could have a larger role in Thedas and act as a natural counterbalance to the land’s dragon problem.

According to this idea, griffons and dragons would have a dynamic connection similar to that of a mongoose and a cobra, and players might use these magnificent animals to level the playing field in difficult situations. Imagine the excitement of flying through the skies on your trusty griffon partner, swooping and diving as you engage in aerial combat with dragons.

Why Were Rideable Griffons Cut?

While the concept art sparked excitement among fans, rideable griffons ultimately didn’t make it into the final version of The Veilguard. The reasons behind this decision remain unclear, but several factors could have contributed:

Technical Challenges: Implementing aerial combat and navigation with rideable griffons could have presented significant technical hurdles, potentially impacting the game’s performance and stability.
Design Choices: The developers may have ultimately decided that rideable griffons didn’t align with their vision for the game’s overall gameplay and narrative.
Time Constraints: Game development often involves difficult choices and compromises. Limited time and resources may have forced the team to prioritize other features over rideable griffons.

A Sneak Peek at What Might Have Been

The concept art provides a tantalizing insight into what could have been a genuinely unique and thrilling experience in The Veilguard, even though they are not present in the finished game. There is no denying the allure of flying through the sky on a griffon, fighting dragons in the air, and discovering Thedas from a different angle.

This discovery also sheds insight into the imaginative process that goes into making games, wherein innovative concepts are investigated and occasionally shelved to provide the greatest possible player experience.

Griffons’ Prospects in Dragon Age

Even while rideable griffons were not included in The Veilguard, their inclusion in the concept image shows that BioWare hasn’t entirely thrown out the prospect of including them in upcoming Dragon Age games.

Maybe this idea may be revisited in future games, allowing players to finally feel the excitement of riding these magnificent animals and discovering Thedas from a whole different angle.

The Veilguard: An Entire Universe of Opportunities

Even without the ability to ride griffons, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is still a deep and engrossing game. Both fans and critics have praised the game for its gripping story, fascinating characters, and significant decisions.

Players can still come across griffons in other roles as they progress through The Veilguard, like Davrin’s companion’s juvenile griffon, Assan. Despite not being able to ride, Assan contributes a special dynamic to the group and is essential to Davrin’s fighting skills.

The Veilguard, which offers a world full of adventure, intrigue, and limitless possibilities, is proof of the Dragon Age universe’s timeless allure. Players can lose themselves in a genuinely remarkable fantasy experience, whether they choose to walk across its expansive landscapes or imagine the exhilaration of flying through the skies on a griffon.