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Dragon Age Co-Creator David Gaider Addresses The Veilguard’s “Woke” Criticism

David Gaider’s reported response focused on whether The Veilguard represented a sudden departure from Dragon Age—not whether every player had to like it.
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Dragon Age co-creator and former lead writer David Gaider objected to claims that Dragon Age: The Veilguard had “suddenly gone woke”—not to players disliking the game. In remarks reported in September 2024, he argued that the criticism framed themes present in earlier series entries as a sudden departure.

What David Gaider said about The Veilguard

On September 27, 2024, ComicBook.com reported that Gaider responded on Bluesky to claims that the new Dragon Age had “suddenly gone woke.” The outlet reproduced his post: “Apparently the usual suspects are upset at how ‘woke’ the new Dragon Age is, an apparently sudden and unexpected development in the series. F*****g tourists.”

In a follow-up exchange, Gaider clarified the point, as quoted by ComicBook.com: “I’m simply saying that, if your criticism is that it’s ‘suddenly gone woke’, like this isn’t consistent with everything in the series before it, you’re an idiot. Then again, ‘woke’ seems to expand its meaning daily.” The profanity is reproduced as ComicBook.com rendered it; the original Bluesky post was not independently reviewed. ComicBook.com’s September 27, 2024 report.

His target was the “sudden change” argument

Gaider’s reported objection was about continuity: he considered it inaccurate to describe the game’s themes as a new ideological turn for Dragon Age. That is narrower than rejecting criticism of the game. Xboxygen’s October 8, 2024 coverage likewise reported that Gaider accepted that players could dislike what they had seen; his point was the comparison with earlier games. Xboxygen’s October 8, 2024 report.

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#1 Best Overall
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Standard - EA App [Online Game Code]
  • SAVE A BATTERED WORLD - Enter Thedas, a vibrant world of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths and glittering cities. The world is teetering on a knife’s edge while corrupt gods unleash havoc across the continent. Nations war and factions splinter. Who will you trust? From the Arlathan Forest to the back alleys of Minrathous, this is a broken world. Your actions will affect the fate of Thedas forever.
  • Unite THE VEILGUARD - Unite a team of seven companions, each with rich lives and deep backstories. These are characters to befriend, and even fall in love with. Among them, an assassin, a necromancer, a detective, each and all bringing their own expertise and unique abilities to the fight. You are never alone, decide who to take into battle and together face down demons, dragons and corrupt gods.
  • BECOME THE LEADER OTHERS BELIEVE IN - Select from different races and combat classes, customize your appearance, choose your character’s backstory and begin your journey as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. The choice is yours. Brace yourself, there are tough decisions to be made, allies to inspire, and a fight that needs every sword, staff and bow you can muster.
  • Dramatic Single-Player Campaign - When corrupt Elven Gods threaten Thedas, lead the charge to save it. Rook isn’t afraid of a fight, no matter the odds. No matter the cost.
  • Vibrant And Diverse Environments - Enter a vivid fantasy world and experience imaginative new locations as well as some you’ve heard of, but never seen. Larger Than Life Foes - Battle darkspawn, demons from beyond the Veil, dragons that rule the skies, and unique enemies as you advance your quest and fight for Thedas’s future

What the criticism referred to

Contemporaneous coverage situated the debate around subjects including the character creator, tone, character design, and representation. “Woke” was used as a criticism in that debate, not as a clearly defined or consistently applied category. Gaider’s response, as reported, did not establish that every complaint about those choices was invalid; it challenged the claim that such themes were unprecedented in the franchise.

Gaider’s connection to the game

ComicBook.com described Gaider as a Dragon Age co-creator and former lead writer, and reported that he left BioWare in 2016. It characterized The Veilguard as the first Dragon Age game made without his direct influence. His comments were therefore a former series creator’s view of the franchise’s continuity, not a statement from someone directly involved in developing this entry.

Rank #2
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Deluxe - EA App [Online Game Code]
  • SAVE A BATTERED WORLD - Enter Thedas, a vibrant world of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths and glittering cities. The world is teetering on a knife’s edge while corrupt gods unleash havoc across the continent. Nations war and factions splinter. Who will you trust? From the Arlathan Forest to the back alleys of Minrathous, this is a broken world. Your actions will affect the fate of Thedas forever.
  • Unite THE VEILGUARD - Unite a team of seven companions, each with rich lives and deep backstories. These are characters to befriend, and even fall in love with. Among them, an assassin, a necromancer, a detective, each and all bringing their own expertise and unique abilities to the fight. You are never alone, decide who to take into battle and together face down demons, dragons and corrupt gods.
  • BECOME THE LEADER OTHERS BELIEVE IN - Select from different races and combat classes, customize your appearance, choose your character’s backstory and begin your journey as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. The choice is yours. Brace yourself, there are tough decisions to be made, allies to inspire, and a fight that needs every sword, staff and bow you can muster.
  • Dramatic Single-Player Campaign - When corrupt Elven Gods threaten Thedas, lead the charge to save it. Rook isn’t afraid of a fight, no matter the odds. No matter the cost.
  • Vibrant And Diverse Environments - Enter a vivid fantasy world and experience imaginative new locations as well as some you’ve heard of, but never seen. Larger Than Life Foes - Battle darkspawn, demons from beyond the Veil, dragons that rule the skies, and unique enemies as you advance your quest and fight for Thedas’s future
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Release context at the time

When ComicBook.com published its report, it described The Veilguard as scheduled for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on October 31, 2024. That is historical release context, not confirmation of current store listings, availability, or pricing.

Best Value
Dragon Age: The Veilguard - Xbox Series X
  • SAVE A BATTERED WORLD - Enter Thedas, a vibrant world of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths and glittering cities. The world is teetering on a knife’s edge while corrupt gods unleash havoc across the continent. Nations war and factions splinter. Who will you trust? From the Arlathan Forest to the back alleys of Minrathous, this is a broken world. Your actions will affect the fate of Thedas forever.
  • Unite THE VEILGUARD - Unite a team of seven companions, each with rich lives and deep backstories. These are characters to befriend, and even fall in love with. Among them, an assassin, a necromancer, a detective, each and all bringing their own expertise and unique abilities to the fight. You are never alone, decide who to take into battle and together face down demons, dragons and corrupt gods.
  • BECOME THE LEADER OTHERS BELIEVE IN - Select from different races and combat classes, customize your appearance, choose your character’s backstory and begin your journey as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. The choice is yours. Brace yourself, there are tough decisions to be made, allies to inspire, and a fight that needs every sword, staff and bow you can muster.
Rank #4
Electronic Arts Dragon Age: The Veilguard Standard Edition PS5 | VideoGame | English
  • Dragon age the veilguard action rpg: Immersive action role-playing game where you become the leader others believe in as Rook
  • Save a battered world: Explore Thedas, a vibrant realm of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths and glittering cities teetering on the edge as corrupt gods unleash havoc
  • Unite the veilguard: Recruit a team of seven companions with rich backstories, including an assassin, a necromancer and a detective, each bringing unique abilities to the fight
  • Customize your hero: Select from different races and combat classes, customize your appearance and choose your character's backstory as Dragon Age's newest hero
  • International region free version: Region free PS5 disc plays on all systems, imported international packaging may differ in age rating and labeling, DLC may require correct region

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