by A YouTuber has apologized after Dragon Age: The Veilguard leaks featuring their character were shared across social media and used in attempts to ruin the game.
Before the Dragon Age: The Veilguard review embargo Yesterday, fans discussing the game on Twitter received replies from a user claiming that their “friend” had access to a review copy of the game. In addition to pointing out their friend’s disappointment, these posts also featured images captured in the game, featuring a modified version of the main player character, Rook, covered in distinctive facial tattoos.
Dragon Age: The Veil Guard is certainly not the first game to suffer malicious leaks on social media in the run-up to launch, but the story took a different twist yesterday when YouTuber Matty Schroder, better known as MrMattyPlays, published his review. Schroeder expressed his overall disappointment with the game, but the video stirred controversy for another reason: the Rook seen in it appeared identical to the one in the deliberate leaks.
It didn’t take long for fans to put two and two together and blame Schroeder for the leaks and a handful of racist tweets posted on the leaker’s account. That led to a response from Schroeder late last night, who posted an extensive apology and explanation on Twitter.
I think it goes without saying, but today was an extremely tough day. I really appreciate your patience as I looked into things. First of all, I would like to apologize to everyone at BioWare and EA. I have already contacted them to tell them the truth. We already have…October 29, 2024
“First of all, I would like to apologize to everyone at BioWare and EA,” said Schroeder, who claims he reached out to explain the situation in more detail. He admits that the offending footage is “my gameplay” but says that “I never intended for any clips from Dragon Age to appear” before BioWare allowed them to be shared. Schroeder says he shared two clips with his editor, and that “my understanding is that these clips were then taken, reshared, and passed on to someone far removed from both of us, who then posted them and claimed she was connected to me.”
Schroeder says in no uncertain terms: “Whoever shared these clips […] with the hateful comments and replies attached, it’s not me,” and he has “no idea who runs that account.” The account no longer appears to exist, apparently due to a significant number of reports. Schroeder distanced himself from the harmful comments, saying that “there is no room for that kind of hate.”
Concluding his statement, Schroeder said: “My goal has always been to provide honest, fair reporting about video games and elevate the conversation, not to fan the flames. I am deeply saddened that my clips played distraction from a game that […] others may enjoy it more than I do.” He goes on to say, “It’s been a tough cycle for the people at BioWare and to know that I played a part in the pain of the developer who made my favorite games ever made, it’s a shame I didn’t.” I think I’ll live someday even if people choose to forgive me.”
While Schroeder was disappointed with the latest game in the series, he acknowledges that many others are more likely to enjoy it, as evidenced by the Dragon Age: The Veilguard Metacritic scores. With a score of 84 after 51 reviews, Veilguard is within easy reach of Origins and Inquisition, and that’s certainly a position BioWare seems happy with.
You’ve still got a few days before The Veilguard releases, so stay tuned Dragon Age Timeline.
