dragon-age-origins
Latest
Dragon Age, Mass Effect 2 gain +10 cheapness on Amazon
At their standard retail prices, BioWare titles typically offer players an unparalleled amount of HEPD, or "hours of enjoyment per dollar." That highly scientific ratio has been significantly altered by Amazon today.
TOR's conversation system rebuilt to be like Mass Effect's
BioWare lead designer and storywriter Daniel Erickson drops a few interesting nuggets about Star Wars: The Old Republic's well-publicized voice system. In an interview with CVG, he gives credit to Mass Effect, BioWare's celebrated single-player RPG, for inspiring a complete change in The Old Republic's voiceover content. "Originally the game was built far more like Dragon Age as far as [the] Conversation System went," he said. "Our player characters were not going to be voiced because it's a massively insane expenditure and hugely complicated to do. You have to cast 16 of the best actors ever and then hold them for eternity," Erickson says. He goes on to illustrate how the original Mass Effect caused the TOR team to adjust their thinking, as it debuted very early in the latter's development cycle. You can read the full article at CVG.
Gaikai signs multi-year licensing deal with EA
Gaikai may not be ready for action just yet (the service doesn't have a release date), but the company was more than happy to drop news of a multi-year licensing agreement with Electronic Arts today. The news appears to be delivering on promises that the company's fearless leader, Dave Perry, made back in April of a big E3 announcement. Among the games Gaikai will be bringing to the web-streaming service are The Sims, the Battlefield: Bad Company series, the Dragon Age series, the Mass Effect series, Medal of Honor and Need for Speed. "Gaikai's innovations open whole new experiences for both current players and new customers looking for the best of interactive entertainment," EA's Richard Hilleman said of the licensing deal. We're open to both "whole new experiences" and "interactive entertainment," so that sounds just fantastic to us.
Dragon Age anime due in 2011
Continuing the inexplicable trend of western games being adapted into anime (see also: Halo, Dante's Inferno), BioWare and anime publisher Funimation have announced a deal to produce an anime movie based on the Dragon Age franchise. Production started last month, with an intended 2011 direct-to-video release. This will be the first release from Funimation's new Original Entertainment department, started to do exactly this kind of thing: develop new anime based on existing IP. We do wonder about the strict definition of the term "anime," though: if it's produced by an American publisher and based on an American (Canadian, actually) game, is it still anime? Luckily, this is one of those distinctions that doesn't matter at all. Regardless of the name, if you like Dragon Age, you'll soon get to watch a cartoon about it.
Sins of a Solar Empire for $4; Mass Effect and Dragon Age bundles part of Impulse sale
Impulse's Memorial Day sale this weekend has Sins of a Solar Empire at the heavenly price of $4. Go buy it now -- full stop. Whatever nit-picky issues the 4X strategy title may have can be thrown out an airlock at that price point. It may lack a single-player campaign to teach the ropes of glorious galactic armada warfare, but setting up a medium-sized map using normal AI is a good place to start. Which reminds us: Gratuitous Space Battles is also on sale. Impulse also has a more mainstream space opera experience on sale with the first two chapters in the Mass Effect saga bundled for $42. Want something not involving spaceships? There's a Dragon Age: Origins bundle, which includes the original game and Awakening, for $48 -- that'll definitely keep you busy all weekend. Check out the rest of the Impulse weekend sales after the break. %Gallery-15134%
Machinima.com creates canonical expansion to Dragon Age: Origins
Jonesing for more stories set in the grim Dragon Age universe, but don't have the patience to wait for the game's next expansion? Machinima.com recently produced a canonical miniseries set in the days following Origins' ending, and tells the story of Kristoff, another Gray Warden which players encounter in the Awakenings DLC. Considering the miniseries is titled "Warden's Fall," we seriously doubt things are going to turn out all roses and sunshine for him. The first episode of the series went live earlier today, and can be found posted after the jump. If you're a fan of the game, it's well worth seven minutes of your time.
Dragon Age: Origins PS3 freezing issues patched
The game-crashing errors which have plagued the PS3 version of Dragon Age: Origins since firmware update 3.30 launched have finally been remedied. A patch, available today in the U.S. and Europe, fixes the frequent freezes, and also sorts out an issue which removed free DLC redeemed with promo codes from the in-game store. It also adds Trophy support for the "Darkspawn Chronicles" DLC, which was added to the game yesterday. Apparently, when BioWare said the PS3 version of the expansion was "coming soon," it actually meant, "in like, a few hours." [Via Shacknews]
Dragon Age: Origins 'Darkspawn Chronicles' DLC out on 360 and PC today
Do you feel like satisfying that evil streak you've got locked away deep, deep inside you? You can now play as the maleficent baddies of Ferelden by picking up Dragon Age: Origins' newest DLC pack, Darkspawn Chronicles. It's available today on 360 and PC for 400 ($5). Check out the trailer above to get an idea of how the other, uglier half of Dragon Age's epic conflict lives. According to BioWare's official website, the PS3 version of the DLC is "coming soon." We're not sure what the hang-up is, but we've contacted BioWare to get a rough idea of the content's ETA.
Dragon Age Darkspawn Chronicles trailer kills the Wardens
Dragon Age: Origins is great and all, but it's a little too goody two-shoes, if you ask us. Thankfully, some new DLC is set to cater to our evil side. Darkspawn Chronicles will allow players to step into the grotesque, mud-soaked shoes of Ferelden's evil inhabitants and play out an alternate scenario: What if the good guys never won? It appears we'll all find out come May 18.
Assassin's Creed 2, Dragon Age: Origins win Canadian game awards
We like to playfully rip on Canada every now and then (America's hat!), but we must admit that The Great White North knows how to make some quality games, evidenced by the winners at the inaugural Canadian Videogame Awards ceremony. While Game of the Year went to Bioware's Dragon Age: Origins, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed 2 made out with the most awards, winning Best Console Game, Best Visual Arts, and Best Game Design, and sharing the award for Best Technology with Radical Entertainment's Prototype. That's not to say all of the awards went to the triple-A titles, as Toronto's own darling, Capybara Games, received nods for two of its titles: Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes, which won Best Handheld Game, and Critter Crunch, which secured victory as the Best Downloadable Game. Maybe now that cute little guy will stop crying so much! [Thanks, Alan Strangis]
Bioware working on fix for Dragon Age PS3 freezing issue
BioWare is in the process of developing a patch to fix Dragon Age: Origins' game crashing bug caused by the PS3 firmware 3.3 update. If the thread on the BioWare forums is any indication, the developer was just as flummoxed and frustrated by the situation as the players. It appears that BioWare, after much collaboration with the community, has a patch in the works that should fix the problem. The bad part is there is currently no timetable for the patch to make its way to the masses. If the code changes work internally, then it's off to EA for "publisher side certification testing." After that, it goes to Sony for testing. We sure hope Sony takes the BioWare team who ended up having to work extra on this out for a nice steak dinner. [Via Kotaku, IncGamers]
Xbox Live Marketplace in May: Rocket Knight, Dragon Age DLC and more
You know that dusty piggy bank you've had sitting on the shelf forever? Look, forget the kid's college fund -- she's not going to college for, like, years -- and bust that thing open! There's going to be some solid content on Xbox Live Marketplace this month. In the mood for XBLA games? How does Rocket Knight or Zeno Clash tickle your fancy? Oh, so you want some DLC -- Dragon Age: Origins will have more to offer the tireless adventurer later this month. Want to learn the Secret of Monkey Island? During the week of May 17, the secret will be half-off. See what we mean? Head past the break for more XBLM release highlights for the month provided by Microsoft.
Dragon Age: Origins 'Darkspawn Chronicles' DLC coming May 18
Though the pithy in-game dialogue in Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2 has clearly demonstrated BioWare's collective sense of humor, it appears the company wasn't kidding around when it promised more DLC for its main franchises. The latest Xbox Live Newsbeat has announced a new downloadable chunk of content for Dragon Age: Origins, titled "Darkspawn Chronicles." Aside from its release date (May 18) and its price (400, or $5), nothing else has been explained about the listing. We've contacted BioWare to ascertain said details. Personally, we're hoping for playable Darkspawn characters. Haven't you always wondered what's going on inside that poor little Genlock's scaly head?
PS3 Dragon Age players report crashing with Firmware 3.30
What's the next feature to be removed from the PS3 through a firmware update? According to some posters on the Bioware forums, it's the ability to play Dragon Age: Origins. Several users have reported frequent crashes or freezes while playing the RPG after installing PS3 Firmware 3.30. "The game has crashed like 7 times in an hour just after the update," complained forum poster "scorpgul." Another poster, "eugeni_dodonov," reported that "it never ever froze before, but since 3.30 it is freezing like every 15 minutes." Players claim to be experiencing the issue on both original and "slim" PS3 models in the US and Europe. On Friday, online producer Fernando Melo indicated that BioWare was working with Sony to correct the issue, which he called "a bit out of the blue for us." We suppose your Warden could use a couple days off anyway.
Dragon Age: Origins celebrates Feastday with DLC
You might be forgiven for thinking this was a joke, considering the calendar date, but no, apparently it's real. BioWare really has released $3 worth of downloadable content for the in-game Dragon Age: Origins holiday of "Feastday," which is what they call April Fool's in Ferelden. For $1.99 in real money, you can get a Feastday Prank pack or a Feastday Gift pack, consisting of 10 items each that will either decrease or increase your standing with the various characters in your party, and also provide some simple fun. Examples include a doggie cone that you can give to your Warhound, as you can see above, or an Alastair Doll that you can give to Morrigan to have her do some voodoo on your least favorite Grey Warden. No really -- this is real. And the money you'll be giving them for this is real, too -- $1.99 (in each systems' requisite points format, of course) for either the Gifts or Pranks pack, or $3 for a Combo Pack with all of the items. On the one hand, sure, it's a bit of in-game fun for your Dragon Age characters. But on the other hand, BioWare, it's not quite as funny if you go and make your April Fool's gag, y'know, real. And then charge us for it.
Dragon Age comic hits the stands; already on App Store, PSP
The Dragon Age comic is ready to tell its epic tale now at your local illustrated book peddler. The first edition was already released on the App Store and through PSP's comic network on March 16 and 18, respectively. Dragon Age issue #1 sets the stage for mages who will defy the Circle of Magi and battle against the lyrium-addicted Templars. It is co-written by Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston. The art is being done by Mark Robinson, with cover art by Humberto Ramos. The first Dragon Age series is 12 issues. The first issue is out now, the next is in June and then it goes monthly. The first trade collection of six issues will release in November and include extra content, however the publisher has no idea at this point what those extras will be composed of.
Alienware offering free Dragon Age shield codes for PC
Ah yes, Dragon Age Origins' storied realm of Thedas, where great warriors and mages do battle against the Demon Spawn, play kings and knights off of each other in political schemes, and register promotional DLC codes for in-game items. What's that? Your heroic Grey Warden hasn't done the last one yet? Here's your chance -- Alienware is giving away some free DLC keys for an in-game shield called the Bulwark of the True King. If you only have the original PC game, it's a tier 5 shield, but apparently if you have the Awakening expansion, it revs up to a Tier 7 item. All you have to do is run over to the Alienware website, create an account in its Arena community (you didn't think it'd be that "free," did you?), and then redeem the code in-game to claim your shield. Note that these keys don't work in the console versions of the game -- Alienware only wants you PC users. But it is a pretty easy way to get a new shield. Much easier than slaying the mad mage of Ferelden or saving the Arl of Redcliffe. [Thanks Wayne!]
Interview: BioWare's Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka
"Are you saying BioWare fast turnaround?" company co-founder Greg Zeschuk asks jokingly. The respected RPG developer has been known for taking its time with producing hits like Neverwinter Nights and Baldur's Gate, but has seemingly never been as prolific as it has been in recent months -- just over two years after being acquired by EA. How's this for fast turnaround? Dragon Age: Origins in November 2009, Mass Effect 2 in January, Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening in March and several DLC packs in-between (and more on the way). We spoke with BioWare co-founders and super-doctors Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka at the Game Developers Conference about their improved production pipeline, the practical challenges of creating DLC and, of course, how fast the turnaround could be on Mass Effect 3*. *"It's not official!" - Greg Zeschuk
Dragon Age: Origins discounted until Thursday on Steam
Steam is having a "midweek madness" sale on Dragon Age: Origins until Thursday at 4PM PST. BioWare's fantasy epic is discounted 33 percent, making the regular and "digital deluxe" editions $33.49 and $43.54, respectively. Of course, the discounts are to get you on the hook to purchase the game's first expansion, Awakening, which releases today. But, just so you go into this with eyes wide open, DA:O is a long game -- especially if you get the bundle stuffed with the extra DLC missions. The game is so long, in fact, that if you purchase the base game now, by the time you're ready for Awakening, you may very well be able to get that at a discount, instead of its initial $40 price. %Gallery-28224%
New Dragon Age Awakening character needs to go eat a sandwich or something
Justice takes center stage in the latest, and perhaps last trailer for Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening (which is due out this week). Justice is actually a "person," and not the principle -- a ghost trapped in a human body by a sorceress. Uh-huh, it's up to you to help him escape this mortal dilemma. To make things worse, Justice's "new" body is basically Christian Bale's body (and not the Batman one). In other words, he's a skeleton tightly wrapped in skin. We're surprised Justice can even lift that shield and mace! Forget Elfroot, somebody get this guy some delicious Corpse Gall to fatten him up.
