Summary
Video games go through a lot during the development stage, from additions to subtractions and divisions to multiplications. At the end of it all, there is generally plenty of content left on the cutting room floor, and that includes BioWare’s classic RPG,Dragon Age: Origins.Dragon Age: Originsis considered one of thebest role-playing gamesever made, but it didn’t reach that point without first having plenty of content cut from its final form.
With the release of the highly anticipatedDragon Age: The Veilguardjust around the corner, it’s worth looking at everything that was cut from theDragon Agegame that started it all,Dragon Age: Origins. Cuts fromDragon Age: Originsincluded numerous character origins, companion features — both narrative and visual — and several story beats and quests. Fortunately, it still came out on the other side a critically acclaimed experience that is still recognized to this day as a bedrock for BioWare and role-playing games.
Everything That Was Cut From Dragon Age: Origins
Many More Origin Stories Were Originally Planned for Dragon Age: Origins
While the final cut ofDragon Age: Originsoffered players six different origin stories to choose from, there was originally a much larger number planned. That exact number remains a mystery, but two of the most significant origin stories that were cut have been revealed. Firstly, there was initially a Human Commoner origin, which was seemingly very similar toLuke Skywalker’s story in theStar Warssaga. The Human Commoner begins as a farmer in Redcliffe Village, and shortly after finding a cow’s mutilated corpse, their farmhouse is invaded by Darkspawn. The Human Commoner then heroically stands up to lead a defense against the Darkspawn until Duncan shows up and eventually recruits the player character.
This particular origin was cut fromDragon Age: Originsbecause the Human Commoner’s story didn’t quite fit the overall tone of the game. Several technical barriers also prevented the farmhouse invasion from being portrayed the way BioWare wished for it to be.Dwyn, the surface dwarfwho refuses to help defend Redcliffe Village in the “A Village Under Siege” quest, was also originally designed to be a villain in the Human Commoner’s origin story — a loan shark who lent the Human Commoner’s parents money.
Another origin that was cut fromDragon Age: Originswas a Human Barbarian origin, which would have taken place in theFrostback Mountains among the Avvar tribes. The story itself would have involved a proving of sorts, in which the player character had to prove their strength to the Avvar clans. However, their clan is eventually wiped out by another chieftain, but the Human Barbarian player character is saved by Duncan, who then recruits the player character.
Players would revisit the site of the origin later inDragon Age: Origins' storyduring the “The Urn of Sacred Ashes” questline, where they would have had an opportunity to exact revenge on the chieftain responsible for the killing of their clan. The Human Barbarian origin went through numerous rewrites but was ultimately cut due to a lack of art resources to finalize a definitive Avvar appearance.
Several Companion Features Were Cut From Dragon Age: Origins' Final Release
With companions being such a significant part ofBioWare games, they are likely to experience a major portion of the cuts that happen before a game’s final release. That especially seems to be the case withDragon Age: Origins, as several companion features were cut from the game before its launch. Perhaps most notably, Jowan was originally intended to be a full-time companion in the game, where the player would have used the Right of Conscription to recruit him once Arl Eamon was healed.
Jowan’s role as a full party companion was ultimately cut during the game’s development, with the final release only making him a temporary companion.
Dragon Age: Origins' companions were also initially intended to develop the Darkspawn taint, after which they would have been required to participate in the Joining and becomeGrey Wardensafter the Landsmeet. Sten, the lovable Qunari warrior companion of the Beresaad, as well as every other Qunari in the game, were supposed to have the iconic horned look thatDragon Age 2implemented. Unfortunately, graphical issues prevented BioWare from being able to design Qunari with horns, so “hornless Qunari” lore was added toDragon Age 2to provide context for Sten and the other Qunari inDragon Age: Origins.
Shale, another ofDragon Age: Origins' potential companions, was initially recoverable from Redcliffe Village before being placed in Honnleath instead and recruited via the game’s Stone Prisoner DLC. More minor companion cuts included Wynne recognizing the player’s decision to become a Blood Mage and alerting Knight-Commander Greagoir and the other Templars during the “Broken Circle” quest. It was also initially possible to turn Morrigan over to Greagoir and the Templars on account of her being an Apostate who was not a part of the Circle of Magi.
Numerous Story Beats and Quests Were Removed From Dragon Age: Origins' Final Cut
Numerous story beats and quests were also removed fromDragon Age: Originsbefore making it to its final cut. Firstly, Celene Valmont I was initially supposed to visit Denerim, where players would have learned that Cailan intended to divorce Anora and marry the Empress of Orlais beforeTeyrn Loghainuncovered the plot. There was also originally an NPC named Renold who was hired by Loghain to defame the player character Warden in a quest titled “Slander and Demand” in Denerim. However, players could recruit Loghain and convince him to order Renold to stand down.
Several minorDragon Age: Originsquestswere cut as well, including one that involved several orphans stealing, and another questline akin to the events of the “Favors for Certain Interested Parties” quest players can complete for the Bartender in the Gnawed Noble Tavern in Denerim.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
WHERE TO PLAY
Enter the world of Thedas, a vibrant land of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities – steeped in conflict and secret magics. Now, a pair of corrupt ancient gods have broken free from centuries of darkness and are hellbent on destroying the world.Thedas needs someone they can count on. Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight to stop the gods from blighting the world. But you can’t do this alone – the odds are stacked against you. Lead a team of seven companions, each with their own rich story to discover and shape, and together you will become The Veilguard.
