Dragon Age PAX panel hints at Orlesian setting for DA III
While stressing that nothing has been announced or confirmed, Dragon Age creative director Mike Laidlaw dropped some huge hints on the franchise's future during a panel at PAX East 2012.
Having closed the doors on Dragon Age II, Laidlaw said BioWare is, as ever, harvesting player feedback before approaching the franchise again.
He noted three main points, all of which the developer will try to address, including an exhortation to "stop reusing levels".
Laidlaw showed what seemed to be concept art of open landscapes and some sort of camp, and said BioWare hopes to explore space and openness, bringing something fresh.
"If we really have to go somewhere urban, let's not go to Kirkwall," he added ruefully, to laughter from the audience. "Let's go somewhere new. Maybe somewhere a little more - French."
Orlais, a country bordering Dragon Age: Origin's Ferelden and Dragon Age II's Free Marches, is populated by voice actors with French accents. Just saying.
Laidlaw also said he hopes to include "decisions that matter", including those made in previous games, and that BioWare is working on import problems and "weirdness" noted in earlier releases.
Finally, he addressed the issue of equipment for followers, with the comment "Yah. It's back."
After demonstrating how a shared piece of armour can change the appearance of a party member without detracting from his or her distinctive look, and again emphasising that nothing is set in stone, Laidlaw said that "in theory" players may be able to customise colours and even fabric of armour items for party members.
He also deadpanned a hypothetical party containing a Gray Warden and a Seeker. "A Seeker," he emphasised, although the character shown looked a great deal like a face familiar to fans.
You can watch the panel below, courtesy of Gamespot.
Thanks, Kotaku.