The Importance of ‘Dragon Age: The Veilguard’ to Me as a Fat, Queer Gamer

CAUTION: Spoilers Ahead for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Read at Your Own Risk!

As I explore more video games, I often yearn for the option to play as a character with a fuller figure. I crave representation in fantastical realms, sci-fi adventures, and peculiar universes, outfitted splendidly alongside my companions while enjoying epic battles. While some games provide a limited range of body sizes in their character customization, the offerings remain disappointingly scarce.

To my delight, Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s character creator permits the crafting of petite fat characters, showcasing curves at the hips, thighs, and stomach — even within their armor. The term “petite fat”here indicates individuals who typically fit into 1X-2X clothing and may also find comfortable options in standard sizes from various brands, thus opening doors for a wider audience compared to those on the larger end of the spectrum. Additionally, Veilguard elevates this experience; the “scars”section features full-body applications that evocatively mirror stretch marks — a detail usually requiring modding in other PC games.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard character creator body modifier screenshot — (BioWare)

During my inaugural playthrough of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, I crafted a rogue dwarf allied with the Shadow Dragons and anticipated some flexibility in body type. However, the sheer variety in customizing Rook’s physique prompted me to explore human, elven, and qunari variations as well. All of them could embody small-to-medium fat characters, with adjustable stretch mark visibility—an aspect I consider insignificant to most, but as a vocal advocate for fat liberation, this felt monumental.

Initially, I presumed that once I exited the character creator, Rook’s fatness would be less visible during regular gameplay—but that wasn’t the case. As my character navigates Thedas — running, jumping, or engaging in combat — Rook’s thighs, hips, and stomach remain apparent within the armor. There’s no graphical clipping, which often occurs when models intersect poorly, allowing Rook to look exceptionally impressive while skillfully wielding daggers.

Rook’s fuller figure is also noticeable in cutscenes— including a climactic romance scene in the endgame that unfolds in intimacy as they disrobe. Although Rook’s likeness doesn’t perfectly match my own (in any format), it is the closest representation I’ve encountered in a video game, creating an emotional experience for a devoted Dragon Age enthusiast eager for another excursion in Thedas. The significance became evident as I played, leading to poignant moments of joy where I found myself emotionally moved just by witnessing my fat character’s journey.

Screenshot of Rook, Taash, and Harding at the Lighthouse in Dragon Age: The Veilguard — (BioWare)

Rook isn’t the only one representing—Thedas is populated with fat NPCs as well. I distinctly remember encountering at least one Veil Jumper sharing a resemblance with Rook, alongside a few dwarves and a human. Encouragingly, I don’t recall any negative remarks about body size, although I’ll be extra vigilant during my next playthrough since side dialogues among NPCs, including companions, can easily contain nuanced conversations.

Critics have relentlessly targeted the inclusive features in Dragon Age: The Veilguard for months, and I’m certain that visibility of fat representation will draw more ire. The topic of fatness can invoke divided sentiments in fantasy settings; in real life, it is often deemed an undesirable attribute to be corrected. Meanwhile, many seasoned gamers prefer to avoid confronting societal issues like poverty, racism, or body diversity within their gaming experiences, often oblivious to the irony of their objections. Efforts to embrace inclusivity—especially within sci-fi and fantasy realms—face consistent backlash.

BioWare has consistently aimed for inclusivity, with a rich history of trans and LGBTQ+ character representation since the release of Origins in 2009. Regrettably, the stigma against fatness frequently permeates LGBTQ+ circles as well; thus, positive depictions of one demographic do not inherently guarantee that others, or those living at their intersections, will receive the same treatment. As a fat, queer gamer who adores Dragon Age, I am genuinely excited to see fat representation integrated in a meaningful way in Veilguard, and I hope this sets a precedent for more thoughtful inclusion in future titles that avoids stereotypes of “humorous”or “villainous”portrayals.

Screenshot of Rook leading the party into battle in Dragon Age: The Veilguard — (BioWare)

This passion for representation isn’t merely personal. The inclusion of fat character customization options in games such as Dragon Age: The Veilguard empowers fat individuals to envision ourselves undertaking thrilling adventures, rather than feeling the need to diminish our presence to fit within conventional narratives. Representation is a vital initial step in the march toward liberation, particularly in dismantling oppressive constructs like the dieting industry.

Regardless of what critics may assert, I am eagerly playing as a fat Rook in Veilguard and wouldn’t change that for anything.

You can experience Dragon Age: The Veilguard on PlayStation 5, Xbox, or on PC through Steam and Epic Games. The Standard Edition is priced at $59.99, while the Deluxe Edition costs $79.99.

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Image Credits: Themarysue.com