Dragon Age II

[sharkey360]

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Where's the new game?! Show us something, EA!

EA earlier outed that development of Dragon Age 2 was underway at BioWare through a press release for a completely different game. Not that they haven’t already mentioned it – numerous times – before, but now it’s on paper, printed (well, “on computer screens, typed”) so it’s more or less official. But this begs the question: does it matter? Do we want to see another swords-and-sorcery RPG with the usual cast of Lord Of The Rings rip-offs and more of that god-awful ’sex’ stuff BioWare put in seemingly all of their games?

Yes. Yes we do. We really, really do. So much it actually hurts a little bit.

So yes, it did just seem to be like the Lord Of The Rings in many, many ways – but the Lord Of The Rings is brilliant, so why is that a complaint? Plus the fact that the world, the lore, the characters and the norms of the universe have been thoroughly established through the first game (and DLC, and expansion), so BioWare have more of a base to build from than before and make it even more their own – differentiating it from the “it’s just LOTR” naysayers.

And yes, the *** stuff was terrible – funny, even – and made a fair few of us cringe before, during and after… and in the game OH THAT’S GOOD COMEDY… but… well… umm… hmm. Maybe this time the *** stuff will be better? Or maybe they’ll cut it altogether? We’ll be happy so long as gay elf shagging returns.

Then there are the normal things, like how it will likely look better, how BioWare will have learned from any mistakes of the past game, how we’ll get an amazing new story to battle through, how the cast of characters will be built upon and expanded in (likely) great ways, how the music will – hopefully – be just as good as before… the list goes on.

We complain a fair bit about how too many sequels pop up all over the place, but there are times when we get very excited about these follow-ups. This is most definitely one of them.
Stay tuned to all the BioWare channels you can find for – what we’re assuming to be – the Dragon Age 2 announcement tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll be able to get something about it in our upcoming issue of Play, but for now you can be content with issue 194, on sale now.

Dragon Age 2 confirmed: is this a good thing? | PLAY Magazine

[sharkey360]

Concept art of Dragon Age II




Gameinformer's cover

[sharkey360]

Official press release of Dragon Age II!

Action and Fantasy Collide in BioWare's Dragon Age 2
Rise to Power and Change the World Forever in the Sequel to 2009's RPG of the Year

EDMONTON, Alberta, Jul 08, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Leading video game developer BioWare(TM), a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), confirmed today that Dragon Age(TM) 2 is in development at BioWare's Edmonton-based studio. Dragon Age 2 is the sequel to the triple-platinum-selling Dragon Age: Origins which was named "RPG of the Year" in 2009 by Game Informer, G4, IGN, and SpikeTV. With Dragon Age 2, the world's preeminent RPG developer is revolutionizing the genre again, infusing the universe with more action, a new, more responsive combat system and a dynamic story that is already among the most multifaceted in gaming. Dragon Age 2 traces the rise to power of Hawke, a survivor of the Blight and a hero who will transform the face of the Dragon Age universe forever. The new game is scheduled for release in March of 2011 on the Xbox 360(R) videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system and PC.

"Last year's launch of Dragon Age: Origins was one of the most successful in BioWare's 15-year history and one of the most successful new IP launches in the 28 year history of EA," said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Senior Vice President of Electronic Arts and co-founder and Group General Manager of BioWare. "Dragon Age 2 will simultaneously deliver an epic story and set a new bar for intense action in the genre. We're very excited to deliver this next bold evolution in the Dragon Age franchise to our fans."

"With Dragon Age 2 we are creating an exciting new entry point into the Dragon Age universe while ensuring that fans of the original game retain a sense of satisfaction and familiarity in the world," said Dragon Age 2 Executive Producer Mark Darrah. "We are amplifying the things that made Dragon Age: Origins such a huge success while introducing a more dynamic combat system, improving the graphics, and telling the most important story in our world."

Dragon Age 2 thrusts players into the role of Hawke, a penniless refugee who rises to power to become the single most important character in the world of Dragon Age. Known to be a survivor of the Blight and the Champion of Kirkwall, the legend around Hawke's rise to power is shrouded in myth and rumor. Featuring an all-new story spanning 10 years, players will help tell that tale by making tough moral choices, gathering the deadliest of allies, amassing fame and fortune, and sealing their place in history. The way gamers play will write the story of how the world is changed forever.

Dragon Age 2 is in production for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, and PC. For more information on Dragon Age 2, please visit the website at BioWare | Dragon Age: Origins, follow via Twitter at BioWare (dragonage) on Twitter or on Facebook at Login | Facebook.

About BioWare
BioWare develops high quality console, PC and online role-playing games, focused on rich stories, unforgettable characters and vast worlds to discover. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the world's most critically acclaimed titles, including Baldur's Gate(TM), Neverwinter Nights(TM), Star Wars(R): Knights of the Old Republic(TM), Jade Empire(TM), Mass Effect(TM) and Dragon AgeTM. BioWare operates in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montreal (Quebec), Austin (Texas) and Fairfax (Virginia). Currently announced projects at BioWare include the development of ongoing downloadable content for Mass Effect 2(TM), one of the highest rated video games of all time, Dragon Age 2, the highly anticipated sequel to 2009's "RPG of the Year" Dragon Age: Origins, and the story-driven massively multiplayer online game, Star Wars(R): The Old Republic(TM). In 2008, BioWare was acquired by Electronic Arts, a leading global interactive entertainment publisher. For more information on BioWare, visit BioWare: Welcome to BioWare, or follow via Twitter at BioWare (biofeed) on Twitter. To join the millions of fans already registered on the community, go to OpenDNS.

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA Mobile(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2010, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.7 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million units. EA's homepage and online game site is EA Video Games - Electronic Arts. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at EA Press.

BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks owned by EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile and POGO are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

I can hardly wait for this game!

[sharkey360]

GameSpy: BioWare Announces Dragon Age II - Page 1

[Lord_Ac]

March 2011 right? Ughhhhhh..... D:

[comicGeek]

I only hope that the gameplay is similar to Origins and not Mass Effect. It would be a shame if they abandon tactical rpg ang go 3rd person.

[RMK711]

Looking forward to this, even though I haven't finished DA: Awakening yet. Wish they'd come up with a better story this time though.

[sharkey360]

I only hope that the gameplay is similar to Origins and not Mass Effect. It would be a shame if they abandon tactical rpg ang go 3rd person.

I don't think there's any good reason why BioWare would change the gameplay entirely.

[tingkagol]

When I think Dragon Age Origins, I think PAUSE. I paused all the fun away playing that game. (well... pause, reload, pause, reload, pause, etc.)

Not really excited.

[sharkey360]

I'm sure BioWare will tweak and improve Dragon Age II.