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Dragon Age 2 abducted from Steam, EA points finger at 'restrictive' terms of service as the culprit
The mysterious disappearance of Dragon Age 2 from Steam this week, just before the launch of the game's latest DLC, is yet another thorn in the side of EA's relationship with Valve's Steam digital distribution game service. As many had assumed, the game wasn't removed due to the recent (re)launch of EA's own digital distribution service, Origin, but in fact because DA2's latest DLC doesn't play nice with the Steam Terms of Service. As the DLC -- named "Legacy" -- is delivered via an in-game store, rather than via Steam's own client, the game was removed. "Unfortunately, Steam has adopted a set of restrictive terms of service which limit how developers interact with customers to sell downloadable content," EA senior VP of global online David DeMartini noted in a statement. He also pointed out that the game is currently available on a variety of other "major download services," from GameStop to Direct2Drive, and that he hopes "to work out an agreement to keep our games on Steam." It's not clear why EA refused to deliver the DLC via Steam's client, but it appears the company won't be changing its stance just yet.%Gallery-127945%
Dragon Age 2: Legacy DLC delayed on Euro PSN until Thursday
Can a small delay in action really ruin your desire to smite all the world's snarling things? After the Dragon Age 2: Legacy DLC failed to show up during the weekly European PlayStation Store update, Rob Bartel, a designer on BioWare's Live Team, addressed the fault on the official BioWare forums. "Apologies for the delay, everyone," he wrote. "We're still investigating why this has occurred but Sony Europe has confirmed that they will launch the Legacy DLC tomorrow morning. So hang tight, it will be available soon." If Bartel's information is accurate, "soon" is roughly equivalent to about 0.003 percent of a dragon age. Mind you, they probably didn't employ phrases such as "hang tight" during that time, unless it was meant as a parting insult at the gallows.
Dragon Age anime called 'Dawn of the Seeker,' pushed to 2012
Not be confused with the ABC television series about a certain sword of truth, "Dawn of the Seeker" is the name of Funimation's upcoming Dragon Age anime. The company also unveiled the first artwork for the film, featuring the probable protagonist and a good supply of swords. She might even have a third arm to go with that. Unfortunately, said swords are being drawn slower than expected, as the animated film has been moved from a 2011 release window to sometime in 2012. For now you can take a peek at what's already in progress via two trailers below.
Dragon Age Redemption teases a tentative release date and details
Dragon Age Redemption is bringing big-screen talent to an online miniseries, including Independence Day producer Peter Winther as director, Lost's John Bartley as executive producer and Hellboy's Doug Jones acting alongside Felicia Day (who, to this crowd, needs no introduction). At the Redemption Comic-Con panel, Day revealed that each episode will run six to 10 minutes, or an hour in total. Day, who wrote the script, said she modeled Redemption after The Guild, where each episode has a beginning, middle and end. Redemption was also confirmed as canonical within the Dragon Age universe. The series doesn't have an official host site or release date yet, although Day did say, "It should be out early this fall. Don't tweet that." Luckily for us, this isn't Twitter.
'Dragon Age 2: Legacy' DLC revealed theatrically
BioWare is sparing no expense on screaming warlocks, gigantic fire pillars, and enormous beasts in its upcoming DLC for Dragon Age 2, "Legacy." Get your first glimpse of the new content in the thrilling premiere trailer, just above.
'Dragon Age 2: Legacy' DLC due on July 26
Having become intimately acquainted with every dreary lane, dank cave and fragment of mortar in Kirkwall, you're surely entitled to a vacation in Dragon Age 2's first downloadable add-on -- even if it's necessarily perilous. On July 26, EA and BioWare will invite you and your heroic Hawke to the Vimmark Mountains, a new locale that grounds the story of Dragon Age 2: Legacy. "Leave Kirkwall," the announcement commands, as you explore to a prison constructed by the Grey Wardens and foil a criminal cartel that's taken a keen, violent interest in the Hawke family's lineage. The ascent into "several new locations" also leads to Darkspawn enemies, a new class-specific weapon, more achievements and the opportunity to come "face-to-face with an ancient horror." (Well, at least it has a face.) According to BioWare, Legacy is playable from any point in the Dragon Age 2 campaign. It will cost $10 on PlayStation 3, and 800 points on Xbox 360, PC and Mac. %Gallery-127945%
Dragon Age 2 'Legacy' DLC Achievements spotted
If you can't wait until Comic-Con to see what's coming next for Dragon Age 2 DLC, or if you're one of the people on Earth who can't make it to Comic-Con (most of 'em), you can get an early glimpse of the future now, thanks to Xbox360Achievements. The site has posted a list of achievements for the "Legacy" DLC, which we suppose could constitute spoilers for content nobody knew about. Judging by the Achievements, you'll be spending the majority of this episode in the Vimmark Mountains. Do those sound removed enough from the city of Kirkwall?
New Dragon Age 2 DLC, Mass Effect 3 demo playable at Comic-Con
Going to Comic-Con won't just let you meet all the most enthusiastic Dragon Age cosplayers. It'll also let you get an early look at new Dragon Age content! BioWare announced that it will debut a new Dragon Age 2 DLC pack at the event, which runs from July 21 - 24. BioWare's demos will be located in the developer's "base in the Hilton Gaslamp hotel." In addition to Dragon Age 2, fans will also have the opportunity to play Mass Effect 3. And to guarantee the maximum concentration of cosplayers, BioWare is holding a costume contest on July 22.
'Dragon Age: Asunder' is latest franchise novel, available late 2011
Dragon Age: Asunder, BioWare Lead Writer David Gaider's third novel set in the fantasy realm, will arrive in "late 2011." Gaider had previously chronicled the world of Thedas with Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne and Dragon Age: The Calling -- oh yeah, and both games. Asunder will jump off from Dragon Age 2, with a killer loose in the White Spire, a templar stronghold in the Orlesian Empire. With any luck, Gaider's Asunder novel won't be perceived as neglecting the "straight male" demographic in the same way Dragon Age 2 was accused of doing. To compensate, expect vivid descriptions of Orlesian breasts and a coupon for Domino's pizza hidden in the novel's pages (not confirmed).
BioWare teases Dragon Age artwork, says improvements must be made in future installments
In a recent post on the official BioWare forums, Dragon Age 2 lead designer Mike Laidlaw addressed some of fans' concerns with the Kirkwall-stuck sequel. After naming some of these issues -- such as "level re-use, the implementation of wave combat, concerns about the narrative and significance of choice" -- Laidlaw added, "I'm not only aware of the concerns, but I agree that there are aspects of DA II that not only can but must be improved in future installments. And that is precisely our intent." As far as the series' future, Laidlaw may have given a sneak peek at what's next for Dragon Age in the very same forum post. Teasing the images seen in the gallery below, Laidlaw said, "I stumbled across a few images I thought I might share with you folks," adding, "After all, there's been a lot of requests to explore areas outside of Kirkwall, and I agree that seeing some more of the Free Marches would be cool." As long as we're not talking about Lurkwall, a very similar suburb of Kirkwall, we think this would be an expansion worth getting excited about. %Gallery-124795%
EA grows digital sales in Q4, stems losses for fiscal year
EA enjoyed solid growth in the final quarter of its 2011 fiscal year (ending March 31), thanks in large part to a bump in digital revenue. Digital sales were up $67 million from the same period a year ago to $211 million. Good ol' boxed games weren't slouching though, as packaged goods revenue increased $44 million up to $838 million. In all, EA rebounded from its rough Q3 to record $151 million in profit during the fiscal fourth quarter. The engine for that growth was a surprisingly impressive quarterly lineup for the company. Seven of its titles from fiscal Q4 have surpassed 1 million units shipped, with Crysis 2, Dead Space 2 and Dragon Age 2 all over the 2-million-shipped mark. DLC for those titles (like Dead Space 2's "Severed" add-on) was the cornerstone of digital profits, as well. Over its entire 2011 fiscal year, EA shipped 12 million units of FIFA 11, 7 million copies of Bad Company 2 (released at the tail end of FY10), and five million each of Medal of Honor, Hot Pursuit and Madden 11. But it seems that, in the grand scheme, these titles weren't enough to alter EA's fortunes for the fiscal year, which ended in a $267 million loss for the company. We suppose there's still a bit of a silver lining, however -- those losses would seem to sting considerably less than the $677 million lost by EA just one year prior.
EA Week on Steam kicks off with discounts on Dragon Age titles
Every day this week, Steam's offering discounts on select EA titles and franchises. To kick things off, the retailer's knocked a number of bucks off the various installments of the Dragon Age franchise today, including Origins, Awakening and ... um, 2.
Dragon Age 2 DLC provides a touch of class to each class
BioWare is now offering options for Dragon Age 2 players looking for some fancy new finery to show off during their extended stays in Kirkwall. The company released three new item packs today: one each for Warriors, Rogues, and Mages. Each pack contains three follower items, new weapons, and armor. You can see the new ensembles in action in our gallery. We were just thinking that our Mage didn't look nearly enough like the child of Altair and the guy from V for Vendetta. You can get all three packs for $5 (400 BioWare Points or Microsoft Points), and each class's pack for $3 (240 Points) on PC, Xbox 360 and (some day) PS3.%Gallery-122394%
Buy BioWare's wares for Japan relief
BioWare games are all about binary moral choices, but you don't have to choose between self-serving behavior and "Paragon" style heroism in real life -- all you need is a ton of money. The developer is auctioning a few custom Dragon Age 2-themed PS3 and Xbox 360 systems, plus a bunch of Mass Effect hoodies signed by BioWare founders Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka. The auctions all end April 19, and with bids already in the $400-$600 range for the consoles, expect to give a lot of money to the Japanese Red Cross in exchange for one of these collectibles. But shipping is free!
'BioWare sequel celebration' brings free Mass Effect 2 to Dragon Age 2 owners
BioWare heard you liked BioWare sequels, so it put a free BioWare sequel in your BioWare sequel, so you can role play while you role play. To celebrate the success of Dragon Age 2 (the game passed "the 1 million mark in less than two weeks and faster than Dragon Age: Origins," BioWare said), it's offering free downloads of the PC version of Mass Effect 2 to people who purchased Dragon Age 2 on any platform. According to the email sent out to lucky recipients, you must activate the "Black Emporium" Online Pass content by April 30, log into the site set up for the offer, and enter the Online Pass code to initiate the download. The trailer after the break is also free to Dragon Age 2 owners (and everyone else!)
Dragon Age 2 writer responds to complaint about BioWare neglecting 'straight male' demographic
For the second time in under six months, Dragon Age senior writer David Gaider felt obligated to step among the Darkspawn in the BioWare Forums to defend the sexual politics of Thedas. A post on the forum declares that "Bioware Neglected Their Main Demographic: The Straight Male Gamer" in Dragon Age 2. The author's thesis (which you should totally read) posits several interesting arguments. Our favorite: "It makes things very awkward when your male companions keep making passes at you. The fact that a 'No Homosexuality' option, which could have been easily implemented, is omitted just proves my point." "We have good numbers, after all, on the number of people who actually used similar sorts of content in [Dragon Age: Origins] and thus don't need to resort to anecdotal evidence to support our idea that their numbers are not insignificant," Gaider wrote, echoing previous sentiments in his response. We think BioWare should seize this opportunity and release some DLC: the big, gaudy, golden "Necklace of Nohomo" that grants +2 against "unwanted advances" -- then donate the proceeds to the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
Dragon Age 2 for $40 on Amazon today, more games in lightning deals
Spring's in full swing, and you know what that means: Time for young love to start blossoming. Why not mix it up this year -- in a manner that's in no way sad -- and fall in love with video games? Today, Amazon's offering up a season's worth of affairs with Gold Box deals all day on potential digital love interests. Why, right now you could have a fling with Dragon Age 2 for just $40, and there are some equally attractive offerings to come, judging by Thrifty Nerd's list of guesses. Are they all beauties? Nope. But it's spring! Let yourself live a little.
Homefront invades UK charts
THQ's Homefront blitzed the UK's wallets last week, taking the top spot on Chart-Track's all formats chart. According to Chart-Track data obtained by Eurogamer, format purchasing for the new IP was quite lopsided, with 70 percent of total retail Homefront sales being on Xbox 360, 26 percent on PS3 and the four percent remainder (which does not include digital distribution) on PC. Due to the invasion the prior week's top two, Dragon Age 2 and Pokemon White, slipped down one spot each, leaving BioWare's well-received RPG in second place. Beyond Homefront, the UK saw several solid premieres last week. PC-exclusive Total War: Shogun 2 found an honorable place in fourth, while multiplatform tennis sim Top Spin 4 just missed out on the top ten in the 12th spot. Taking a trip further down the list, we find Yakuza 4 debuting at number 25.
Dragon Age 2 patched on PC, busted save files fixed
If you were experiencing one of a number of issues with your save file in the PC version of Dragon Age 2, you should be in the clear -- the game has been patched to remedy a handful of data oddities, a list of which can be found just below. The patch may also double the number of dragons. Maybe.
Dragon Age Legends now live on Facebook, go poke some Darkspawn
At last, social game aficionados/haters have a new title to sink their teeth into/receive hundreds of unwanted Facebook invitations to: Dragon Age Legends. The network-connected strategy RPG lets players work together to complete quests, and earn equipment -- both in Legends and the recently released Dragon Age 2. If you're feeling lost after loading up the game, you're not without options -- perhaps you could consult with one of the thousands of players who got in on the game's beta, which kicked off in January? We bet they know a thing or two about putting down Genlocks.
