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Dragon Age Origins: Awakening trailer introduces The Disciples
You know how in Gremlins 2, the Gremlins all break into a genetics lab, and they eat all of the weird gene goop and it gives them superpowers like bat wings or vegetable bodies? And remember how one of them drinks like a brain hormone and becomes Brain Gremlin and gets played by Tony Randall? That's kind of what's happening to the Darkspawn in the Dragon Age Origins: Awakening expansion, according to this new trailer. Of course, we don't know what kind of brain goop they ate -- and they definitely don't sound like Tony Randall -- but they're all called The Disciples and are all smart and talkative now. And evil. As you can see in the various screenshots below, they've got a face only a Gremlin could love. And honestly, while you might play the expansion on March 16 "thinking you know of our kind, human," you're wrong. All they're looking for are things like the Geneva Convention, chamber music, Susan Sontag. That's right: They just want to be civilized. %Gallery-87408%
Pre-order Dragon Age expansion on PC, get Origins 40% off
If you're anything like us, you simply weren't impressed enough by the already overabundant amount of content available in Dragon Age: Origins. No sir! You wanted -- nay! -- demanded more content. Luckily for you, you immovable demander, EA is offering a deal in its online store for the first Dragon Age expansion where pre-orders of the new content can snag the original game on PC for 40 percent off its normal $50 asking price (now just under $30). That means you could get both Awakening and the game it's based on for a combined $70 -- just $10 more than the Game of the Year edition that's sure to come out in a year's time! It's like an early reward for being hesitant ... almost like you paused the action and arranged the tactics ahead of time. Is there something we should know? Hmmm? %Gallery-81512%
Dragon Age's Return to Ostagar DLC finally coming to PSN in two weeks
We wouldn't blame PS3 owners for losing interest in the Return to Ostagar DLC for Dragon Age: Origins -- after all, once a game expansion is delayed, delayed again, put on the 360 marketplace, pulled from the 360 marketplace, and then only re-added to the 360 marketplace but not the PlayStation Store, a person's hopes of ever seeing that DLC tend to vanish. However, a BioWare community manager has confirmed that Ostagar will finally be added to the PlayStation Store on March 11 for $4.99. That should give you exactly one week to poopsock your way through the bite-sized addition before Dragon Age: Awakening gets released. Then again, those two might present more role-playing than your brain can handle. We suggest consulting your family physician before attempting such a marathon.
Dragon Age comic delayed until April [update: It's still on for March]
Update: It seems there's been a mix up somewhere between BioWare and IDW, as a recent tweet from BioWare's account claims that the Dragon Age comic is still scheduled to release in March. It looks like Dragon Age fans hoping to delve further into its fantasy realm will have to wait a little bit longer. IDW Publishing editor-in-chief Chris Rydall tells Big Download that the planned March release of its Dragon Age comic has been pushed to April. Furthermore, the second issue will release in June. The comic was announced last year, and is slated to feature a story written by Orson Scott Card. The plot itself focuses around a band of rogue mages that "will defy the rules of the Templars and change the course of the world forever."
Dragon Age Awakening videos: meet Sigrun, ogle B-roll
BioWare recently released a handful of videos promoting the upcoming expansion to its humongous RPG Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening. In the first, posted above, we meet dwarven legionnaire Sigrun, tasked with returning to the old fortress of Kal'hirol. There's talking Darkspawn, those merry band of adventurers known as the "Legion of the Dead," and even a cameo from our old friend Oghren. The additional two videos (which come to us via IGN) are simply B-roll, but that means gameplay footage. You'll get a look at some of the new characters in action and even some vistas of the new environments. We get it, it's not much, but you've got less than a month until this old-school expansion pack (remember those?) slays its way to retailers.
Dragon Age: Origins Awakening on PS3 download-only in Europe
We usually think we're too smart for FAQs, preferring the sort of random, only moderately relevant questions that no one ever asks. But the FAQ for Dragon Age: Origins Awakening does provide some pretty useful insight. For instance, we learned that the expansion won't appear on disc for PS3 owners living in Europe. It seems like an odd decision to make, but perhaps you European PS3 fans can enlighten us. Do you guys just hate discs without us knowing it? If so, why did you let us keep buying you all those discs for Christmas without saying anything? [Update: We just heard back from an EA spokesperson, who told us "Apparently this is a Sony Europe rule – you cannot have expansion packs be available on PSN and at retail. You can in North America, which is why we have both here." Huh, who knew?] Less perplexingly, we saw that lovably grouchy dwarf Oghren plays a "large role" in the expansion, which is great news for all thinking people.
New Dragon Age in early 2011 on consoles, handhelds & PC
If you're pacing out your Dragon Age playing to ensure that you have a steady drip of elfin lovemaking and epic dragon fighting, here's a bit of new info to consider for your tactics: EA is planning to launch a new Dragon Age title in Q4 of its fiscal 2011, which, in real-world time, falls between January 1 and March 31, 2011. The sequel is far from a surprise, given that EA has also announced that global sell-in (read: shipments) of Dragon Age: Origins has reached 3.2 million units. Intriguingly, EA currently lists "Dragon Age Title TBA" (that's what it's called at the moment) for consoles, PC and handhelds -- which could mean either handheld game devices (think: DS and/or PSP), cell phones or both. Whatever platforms it appears on, expect the game to be super hot. Assuming, of course, this is the real sequel to Dragon Age: Origins and not a spin-off.
Dragon Age Awakening: now with creepy Children!
Felt like your copy of Dragon Age: Origins was missing something, eh? Say, maybe, slugs with demonically mutated children's faces? Perfect -- we've got just the trailer for you today, care of upcoming DA:O expansion Awakening, full of creepy-crawly things called "The Children." There's not much in the way of an explanation of exactly what or why they are, but there are some pretty awful birth pods full of (presumably) amniotic fluid -- well, y'know, evil amniotic fluid (they're bad guys, after all). Hopefully the Children aren't working in concert with that terrifying blue dragon we saw last week. Man, that'd be just the worst! Get fully creeped out by the trailer after the break. %Gallery-81512%
Meet Anders, your new party member in Dragon Age 'Awakening' expansion
In the run-up to the expansion's March 16 date with store shelves, BioWare has begun to make formal introductions of the new characters who'll be joining your Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening quest. First up: Anders, a Chantry mage and ... "born troublemaker." In fact, BioWare makes him sound more like Han Solo than a robed magic user, what with his lust for "freedom, a good meal and a pretty girl on his arm." We'd like to point out that there is not a single screenshot in the gallery below in which Anders doesn't have his arms raised to some degree. %Gallery-84521%
Dragon Age: Origins 'Awakening' expansion has a giant blue dragon
Alright, alright, you kind of already knew about the giant blue dragon in the upcoming Dragon Age: Origins 'Awakening' expansion pack, but you hadn't seen her (yes, her) in all her rage-filled majesty, scaring the crap out of those venturing into Blackmarsh. Between her and Skeletor, we're getting pretty psyched for March's DA:O content infusion. Sure, there's that other BioWare RPG that we're obsessively playing for now, but how long will that last before we feel the urge to venture back into the fantasy realm? We're guessing about two months. And hey, if nothing else, it'll give us something to talk about at PAX East during the Joystiq / Blueberry Muffintops Breakfast. %Gallery-81512%
BioWare says Dragon Age 2 to look 'super hot'
Dragon Age: Origins presents strong evidence that great games can overcome gawd-awful graphics, but BioWare isn't about to test that theory -- and the limits of our forgiveness -- again in the sequel. "I think one of the key things we're working on in Dragon Age 2 is the technology," BioWare VP Greg Zeschuk recently told Joystiq. "I can confirm that we're doing a lot of work on the Dragon Age engine, and doing a lot of stuff to pump it -- to make it visually super hot." Now, to clarify, frisky rogue foursomes and lesbian alien sex are measured on different "super hot" scales, as Zeschuk conceded, "Dragon Age is, in the structural sense, a fundamentally different game than Mass Effect ... You have to make different technical considerations." Certainly, with Dragon Age: Origins, those considerations were designed to benefit the superior PC version. Still, there's hope for a console sequel makeover, since, in Zeschuk's words, the process of iteration allows a developer to "get to a much higher level." "I think the overall visual style we're going to continue to evolve in Dragon Age," Zeschuk added. "People are going to see some cool ... I can't really say too much, but I think Dragon Age as a world is interesting. It's a timeline, and you can go anywhere." Go anywhere, huh? So, like the future Ferelden, where a race of sexy blue aliens has been possessed by horny desire demons? Super hot.
Dragon Age 'Return to Ostagar' DLC returning next week
The Dragon Age: Origins DLC "Return to Ostagar" was delayed at the eleventh hour, then mysteriously appeared on Xbox Live on January 13, before disappearing once again. In an interview with PCGZine, BioWare co-founder Ray Muzyka assured readers that Return to Ostagar will return to availability sometime soon. "We have a big investment planned for Dragon Age with more DLC coming in the next week or so," Muzyka said. Muzyka's explanation for the botched DLC launch echoed that of community manager Chris Priestly, with both citing complications from a title update that had launched simultaneously with the Xbox Live release. "I don't know if it was a communication error with our distribution partners or what happened there," Muzyka said. "If they were released in order it would have been fine, but it created a bug which prevented progression, and obviously that wasn't acceptable, so we pulled it down." Is it too cynical to suggest that you wait a few days to download the DLC even after the "real" release?
Pre-orders for Dragon Age: Origins 'Awakening' expansion now available on Steam
Ever since Dragon Age: Origins' upcoming expansion, titled Awakening, was announced back in early January, we've been pining for the chance to drop the $40 on it well before the content actually releases. Thankfully for us, Steam has just opened up pre-orders for the expansion, meaning we can play the expansion in only one month, three weeks, three days and XX hours! We know, we know -- but you're gonna have to calm down. All that excitement could crash your computer. And then where would you be, hmm? No expansion at all! No chance to hang out with Skeletor! %Gallery-81512%
The Digital Continuum: Delay? You can't handle the delay!
Rumor: a story or statement in general circulation without confirmation or certainty as to facts. Example: Star Wars: The Old Republic will be released in October, 2010. Yeah, guys, that was never in the wings. The fact of the matter is that the game was never delayed. You need at minimum a projected release date before something can be delayed. I personally find it pretty ridiculous that some people are worried about hype dying down for a game which they themselves thrust a false release date upon because they're so hyped up for it.
DC Direct also manufacturing Dragon Age action figures
According to Previews' February order form, Mass Effect isn't the only BioWare property getting the action figure treatment from toy manufacturer DC Direct. Located on the form are four listings for statuette'd Dragon Age: Origins characters, including Morrigan, Loghain, Duncan and, everyone's favorite troublemaker, Genlock. No price is listed for these figures, but a release date of September 29 is mentioned. Though we know it's not technically feasible, we're still a little disappointed that we can't get a figure made of our customizable protagonist. We're pretty sure DC Direct wouldn't know to make him look like Ernest Borgnine, but with a horrifically long chin. Nor would they know to call the figurine by his Christian name, Borgnine Mountainjaw. [Via Big Download]
Return to Ostagar returned to sender, conflicting title update to blame
After some minor delays and a recent "now you see it/now you don't" routine on Xbox Live, the Dragon Age: Origins DLC, Return to Ostagar, seems to have introduced a new bug to those who picked up the most recent title update. According to a BioWare forums post by community manager Chris Priestly: "This morning a title update on the Xbox 360 for Dragon Age: Origins was made available in preparation for the release of Return to Ostagar ... this title update introduced a previously undetected issue that causes specialization classes to not work correctly." Additionally, he apologizes to those affected and notes that the DLC has been removed from Xbox Live "until the issue is resolved." We're also ensured that more information will be provided on this as soon as it's available. Oh, and in case it wasn't already apparent -- if you're thinking about downloading the title update, you probably shouldn't. %Gallery-81143% [Via Eurogamer]
Dragon Age's 'Return to Ostagar' DLC sneaks onto Xbox Live; missing from PSN, PC [update]
Update: BioWare has announced issues with the Return to Ostagar DLC that lead to its being pulled from the Xbox Live Marketplace. More information here. The twice-delayed Return to Ostagar DLC for Dragon Age: Origins seems to have fought its way onto Xbox Live, as reader Harry has sent in a couple images showing the item being available through the in-game menu. Going through Xbox Live, we managed to access the content after sorting by "All Downloads." We can confirm that neither the PS3 nor PC versions of Dragon Age: Origins could access the add-on at the time of writing this post. By the way, Harry, if you need some help spending all those points you've stacked, we may have a few ideas for you. Shortcut: Return to Ostagar for Dragon Age: Origins [Xbox.com] [Thanks, Harry] Source - Return to Ostagar download screen Source - Dragon Age: Origins menu
Dragon Age: Awakening expansion detailed
This March, fans of Bioware's epic RPG, Dragon Age: Origins, will be able to extend the experience through 'Awakening,' the hefty retail expansion bearing an equally hefty $40 price tag. While the new trailer coinciding with the announcement was gripping in its own right, many gamers are likely wondering what is deserving of so much coin. Sure, we know it takes place after Origins, we know players will be fighting new Darkspawn baddies and we know there's new items and a raised level cap, but what else should gamers look forward to spending another gazillion hours on? Well, in a recent interview with IGN, Bioware's Fernando Melo put it all on the line. Basically, the Darkspawn haven't retreated underground after Origins' Blight -- as was the case following previous Blights -- and in the land of Amaranthine, one Darkspawn in particular has evolved to the point where it can talk and reason: the Architect. And if you haven't played through Origins at all and have no character to import, you'll have the option to create a new one that will automatically be placed somewhere between level 17 and 20, around the toughness of Awakening's roster of bad guys. Then there's the raised level cap. Melo couldn't confirm where it would be when Awakening releases in March, but said it will "probably end up in the mid to high 30s." Also, you'll gain access to a bunch of new followers, complete with all-new banter and micro-managing. This will have a greater affect on imported characters, as Melo says a lot of the choices you've made in Origins carry over and, depending on what point you're currently at in the main game, characters will act accordingly. And if you choose to play Awakening first, decisions there will transfer back to Origins in the same way. Melo even detailed a bit of the "re-spec" ability you'll have in Awakening. You'll be able to force a reboot of your character's skill points through a tome, allowing you to retain whatever level your Origins character is at, but have a fresh start in terms of where you want to place your points. Obviously, if you choose not to import a character, this feature is moot because you'd be spending all of the points you'll get from starting at the high level Awakening begins. It's a lot to process and IGN's interview is three very lengthy pages, so if you want to read the rest, head on over and check it out. Just beware of spoilers. %Gallery-81512%
Dragon Age Awakening trailer: just as He foretold
You'd hoped that after investing 60 hours of your life, you could hang up your sword and catch a breather until the next BioWare RPG, but, oh no, the Darkspawn did not simply disappear. Thankfully, today's announcement of Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening, a retail expansion to IGN's & Spike's RPG of the Year Joystiq's "4th Best of 2009," has been accompanied by this video pep talk. After all, you have quite the task ahead of you. Awakening will be released March 16 for $39.99 on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. A copy of the original Dragon Age: Origins is required to play. %Gallery-81512%
Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening announced, dated March 16
We no longer have to rely on Google-translated rumors about retailer listings regarding an upcoming Dragon Age expansion. EA has officially revealed Awakening, the first retail expansion for Dragon Age: Origins, due in stores March 16 for $40 -- and it's up for pre-order on GameStop now. (There's no word on a downloadable version.) Awakening takes place after the (many) events of Origins, putting the player in the role of a new Grey Warden Commander, or simply an old, imported character from the main game, taking on new monsters, like the Inferno Golem and the Spectral Dragon, in a new area of the world called Amaranthine. The expansion features an increased level cap, new items, new spells, the ability to "re-spec" attributes, and five new party members with whom to bond. It seems odd that the DLC delay and the expansion announcements would coincide so closely, though we don't think it's a matter of BioWare trying to starve people for Dragon Age content so that the expansion would appear more attractive. We can't think of any other explanation than "it's a weird coincidence," though we'll attempt to clear it up with BioWare. Update: Check out the debut trailer. %Gallery-81512%
