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Early Mass Effect and Dragon Age concept art, ideas outlined by Bioware artist

BioWare designer Matt Rhodes has posted some Mass Effect concept art which shows early ideas for Commander Shepard, and other designs spanning the series. Rhodes also shows off some concept art for Dragon Age, and notes how his ideas for female character design have changed over the years, and will be on display in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

One of the earlier ideas had Shepard using Reaper technology, eventually becoming somewhat like Mass Effect 1 villain Saren, as he used the tech to accomplish his goals. He would have also eventually been confronted by the new human spectre such as Ashley or Kaiden, depending on your choice - according to
Eurogamer
.

Other designs include art for Tali before she was given a mask.

"The debate about whether or not to reveal Tali's face was one that lasted a long time,"
Rhodes wrote on his blog
. "Versions of her were being worked on fairly often. Personally, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to push players to the edge. Tali was like a pen pal, or a friend you've only ever known online. Depending on how attached to her a player was, how well could they handle her appearance challenging their expectations?

"If she looked a little too alien, just a little too repellent, would they still feel the same way about her? Or did her personality and your history together trump appearances? It's an interesting area to explore and I hope we can find other ways to ask that question."

Tali's appearance was shown in Mass Effect 3 to those who romanced her.

Even more images show off the Human Reaper from Mass Effect 2' and humanoid versions of EDI.

If you click through the link you will be graced with some Dragon Age concept art as well.

According to Rhodes, many of the female character concepts were drawn when he was "younger and very single."

"I'm excited to show off the concept art we've done for Dragon Age Inquisition," he said. "I have a feeling you'll be pleasantly surprised by the effect my strong, intelligent wife and beautiful little daughter have had on my portrayal of women.

"Taking part in the creation of quality female role models has become a priority for me over the last few years."

Dragon Age: Inquisition will release in fall 2014 on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One and your saves from the first game and Origins will carry over.

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In this article

Dragon Age: Inquisition

PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Mass Effect 2

PS3, Xbox 360, PC

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Mass Effect 3

PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U, PC

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Stephany Nunneley-Jackson

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