Dragon Age: The Veilguard isn’t even a week old, but the mods are coming in thick and fast. In these early days, the most popular on Nexus Mods revolve around performance improvements on PC and various character presets, and there’s even one that strips the purple from the game to make it look more like a dark fantasy RPG.
Let’s start with the latter. Vktrfly’s Dark Fantasy Look-Up Table (LUT) mod is a reshade that aims to remove the purple/magenta elements from the game and give it “a darker, more atmospheric look.”
Ever since BioWare unveiled The Veilguard gameplay, fans have debated its art style, with some lamenting the developer’s decision to go for a heavily stylized, almost cartoony look compared to the more gritty, realistic prior games in the series. The Veilguard, with its smooth, purple-hued visuals, is certainly at the opposite end of the Dragon Age art style spectrum, with 2009’s Origins heavy on mud and blood-drenched medieval fantasy, and Dragon Age 2 and Inquisition occupying a place somewhere in-between.
But the most popular mod so far is ChemBoy1’s Anti-Stutter – Performance Enhancer – High CPU and Disk Priority – DATV mod, which enables high CPU and disk priority for the Dragon Age: The Veilguard executable. This can help with performance on weaker CPUs and slower disks, and helps reduce stuttering on all CPU and disks, ChemBoy1 said.
Also high on the most downloaded mods list is Nyctaginae’s preset and sliders for their Rook (Veilguard’s customizable main character), Ayse de Riva, a female mage and elf Antivan Crow (“Based on my OC of 15+ years, hope you like her!”).
Expect more elaborate mods to release as modders get to grips with The Veilguard. We’ve seen the likes of Larian and CD Projekt release official mod tools for Baldur’s Gate 3 and The Witcher 3 respectively, which have unlocked an explosion in each game’s modding scene. Perhaps at some point down the line, BioWare will do the same for Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
And that might be important in keeping the game alive, given BioWare has indicated it has no plans to release DLC for Dragon Age: The Veilguard
In the meantime, fans are busy digging into BioWare’s latest RPG after Dragon Age’s release on Thursday, propelling it to new highs for an EA game on Steam. They have plenty to find even without DLC — estimates on IGN sister site HowLongToBeat suggest that it can take upwards of 88 hours to complete the main story while doing sidequests.
For more, check out our guide to the major choices in Dragon Age: The Veilguard as well as our complete romance guide.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
Interview between Time.news Editor and Game Modding Expert
Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today, we have a special guest, Alex Hart, a game modding expert known for his deep insights into the gaming community. He’s here to talk about the recent buzz surrounding Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the early wave of mods that have cropped up. Alex, thank you for joining us!
Alex: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss The Veilguard and its modding scene.
Editor: It’s been less than a week since Dragon Age: The Veilguard was released, and we’re already seeing numerous mods. What do you make of this rapid development?
Alex: It’s remarkable, really! The modding community is incredibly passionate and responsive. The popularity of improvements in performance and visual aesthetics, like the new Dark Fantasy Look-Up Table mod, shows a clear demand for customization in games. Players want to tweak their experiences right off the bat.
Editor: Let’s dive into that Dark Fantasy LUT mod created by Vktrfly. It aims to strip away those vibrant purple hues for a darker, moodier atmosphere. What are your thoughts on this trend of players modifying aesthetic elements so early in a game’s lifecycle?
Alex: It’s fascinating! Aesthetic choices in games can be polarizing. Some fans appreciate a vibrant, stylized look, while others yearn for a more traditional, gritty vibe, as seen in earlier titles like Dragon Age: Origins. Modding allows players to tailor their experience to their personal preferences almost instantaneously, which is a huge plus for the community.
Editor: Speaking of community preferences, the art style of The Veilguard has received mixed reactions. Some players are nostalgic for the earlier, more realistic graphics. How do you think mods like the Dark Fantasy LUT can influence the overall perception of the game?
Alex: Mods can significantly shape the game’s identity. By altering the visuals, players can potentially shift the conversation around the game’s art style. If a significant number of players begin to gravitate towards darker aesthetics, it could influence how other players perceive the original design. It’s all about personal expression and experience in the gaming community.
Editor: Absolutely! In addition to the aesthetic mods, there’s also ChemBoy1’s Anti-Stutter Performance Enhancer. Performance mods often seem to be a critical early focus. Why do you think that is?
Alex: Performance is key, especially with games that might struggle on certain hardware. Players want smooth experiences without frustrating stutter or lag, particularly in demanding RPGs like The Veilguard. Mods that enhance performance can bridge the gap for players with less powerful setups, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the game to the fullest.
Editor: It seems like there’s a constant desire for customization, especially with character creation. We also see a mod for customizing the main character, Ayse de Riva, featuring Nyctaginae’s creative designs. How does character customization play a role in player engagement and modding?
Alex: Character customization is at the heart of many RPGs. Players invest in their characters, making them extensions of themselves. Mods that allow for deeper customization not only enhance engagement but also empower players to express their individuality. That connection often leads to more dedicated mod communities, as players share their creations and experiences.
Editor: Do you think we can expect even more elaborate mods as time goes on?
Alex: Absolutely! The modding community thrives on creativity and innovation. As tools become more accessible and the player base grows, we can only anticipate increasingly complex mods that will enhance graphics, improve gameplay mechanics, and even introduce entirely new content. It’s an exciting time for both developers and players alike.
Editor: Thank you, Alex, for your insights! It’s clear that Dragon Age: The Veilguard is not just influenced by its developers but by its vibrant modding community as well. We look forward to seeing what else comes from this passionate group.
Alex: Thank you for having me! I can’t wait to see how Veilguard evolves through the creativity of its players.
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. Stay updated with us for more news and discussions about gaming trends!