Dragon Age: Origins Director Calls Fade Sequence 'Filler' and 'Not Very Good'

Mark Darrah, co-director of Dragon Age: Origins, admits the Fade sequence was rushed filler that didn't age well, and says he'd cut or dramatically reduce it.

Ever found yourself groaning when Dragon Age: Origins yanks you into the Fade, separating you from your party for what feels like forever? You're not alone—and now one of the game's own directors is on your side.

Mark Darrah, co-director of Dragon Age: Origins, recently took to TikTok to answer a fan question about which features he'd remove from each Dragon Age game. His answer was swift and brutal: the Fade sequence from the Mage Tower. "It's not very good content," Darrah said flatly. "It's kind of filler. It was definitely done pretty fast in the end."

For those who've blocked it from memory, the Fade is that bizarre dream dimension you're forced into during the Mage Tower questline. You leave your companions behind, gain temporary shapeshifting powers, and slog through a series of disconnected puzzles and combat encounters. It's a jarring tonal and mechanical shift that has divided players for years—some appreciate the change of pace, but many see it as a tedious detour.

Darrah didn't mince words about its legacy either, noting that the sequence didn't "age super well." He said he'd be tempted to either cut it entirely or dramatically reduce its scope. Coming from the guy who helped steer the ship, that's about as close to a confirmation as you'll get that the Fade was a rushed attempt to pad out the game's runtime.

What's wild is that Dragon Age: Origins would still be a massive RPG without the Fade. The game is already stuffed with hours of quests, dialogue, and lore. So why keep something that even the director considers filler? Nostalgia? Tradition? Or maybe just the fact that patching it out now would feel like erasing a piece of BioWare history.

For longtime fans, this admission might sting a little. If you've spent the last 17 years defending the Fade as a bold experiment, you now have one of the game's own directors working against you. But it's also refreshing—rarely do developers speak so candidly about their past projects' flaws. It humanizes the creative process and reminds us that even beloved classics have their rough edges.

So, what do you think? Does Darrah's confession change how you feel about the Fade? Would you cut it if you had the chance, or do you secretly love those dreamy puzzles? Let us know in the comments!