Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Bioware hints at the future of Dragon Age DLC and 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/bioware-hints-at-the-future-of-dragon-age-dlc-and-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/bioware-hints-at-the-future-of-dragon-age-dlc-and-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/bioware-hints-at-the-future-of-dragon-age-dlc-and-3/#comments Dragon Age 2 Legacy was well-received. BioWare's Mike Laidlaw (who just joined Twitter!) was up at PAX in Seattle last weekend, dropping a few hints on future Dragon Age 2 DLC, as well as what Bioware is planning for the next iteration in the series, Dragon Age 3.

Neogaf has kindly summarized a few reports on the panel, and we'll go even one further for you "TLDR" types: Dragon Age 3 will feature the world of Ferelden at war between mages and templars, with the player traveling around to places as far as Orlais and Tevinter to try and calm (or maybe stoke, knowing Bioware) the fighting. One of the maps shown was "four to five times larger than Ferelden," and cited as the future of the series.

The story of the first game's Warden "is over," apparently, and while there's still more of Hawke's story left to tell, writer David Gaider hinted that the protagonist of the third game would be yet another new hero. Co-op is possible but not likely, followers will keep their "unique" armor designs but still change visually over time, and combat will revolve around "preparation, teamwork, and positioning," with less button-smashing and more thought given to prepping your team for battle.

In closer plans, Laidlaw said that we'll see more of Varric in upcoming DLC for Dragon Age 2, as well as Leliana and Flemeth. Morrigan will be back as well, and BioWare says that the Legacy DLC was received well, so that will be the model for updates in the future. Minus that last boss fight -- the team agrees that the AI in there wasn't quite as smart as they would have liked. Though it doesn't seem all that hard to program fire to equal bad, right?

JoystiqBioware hints at the future of Dragon Age DLC and 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredavid-gaiderdragon-age-3microsoftmike-laidlawpcplaystationps3xboxWed, 31 Aug 2011 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BioWare's Laidlaw: DA2 'Legacy' DLC is a response to fan complaints]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/biowares-laidlaw-da2-legacy-dlc-is-a-response-to-fan-complai/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/biowares-laidlaw-da2-legacy-dlc-is-a-response-to-fan-complai/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/biowares-laidlaw-da2-legacy-dlc-is-a-response-to-fan-complai/#comments "There's a game out there that's better than both [Dragon Age] Origins and DAII, and I'll be damned if the talented folks of the DA team can't find it," BioWare lead designer Mike Laidlaw concluded a recent response to one fan on his company's forums. He was engaged in an ongoing conversation over the past few days in a subject thread titled "Dragon Age 2 reception and community discussed," wherein fans sounded off and a handful of BioWare reps responded to criticisms about the critically divisive Dragon Age 2, and its improved follow-up DLC, Legacy.

"Legacy, I think, goes a long way towards demonstrating that we are listening, that we are aware of the weaknesses of DAII, and that we will continue to address them," he responded to another, specifically citing combat encounters, asset re-use, loot, and choice impact as areas to improve. While he of course didn't speak to Dragon Age 3, he did note that "Reasonable, passionate feedback is the best possible thing to provide. Seeing strongly negative reaction to DAII, and strongly positive reaction to Legacy, even from some of DAII's strongest detractors (and yes, I know it's not universal, but what is), is incredibly useful."

JoystiqBioWare's Laidlaw: DA2 'Legacy' DLC is a response to fan complaints originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredlcdownloadable-contentDragon-Age-2dragon-age-2-legacydragon-age-3dragon-age-originseaelectronic-artslegacymacmicrosoftmike-laidlawpcplaystationps3xboxFri, 05 Aug 2011 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Age 2 preview: A shot of adrenaline]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/dragon-age-2-preview-a-shot-of-adrenaline/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/dragon-age-2-preview-a-shot-of-adrenaline/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/dragon-age-2-preview-a-shot-of-adrenaline/#comments "What we wanted to do, fundamentally, is take Dragon Age: Origins and give the franchise a shot of adrenaline." Lead designer Mike Laidlaw's statement shouldn't come as much of a shock -- all of the marketing materials and crunchy riffs have said as much. But fans of BioWare's successful 2009 RPG shouldn't fear a repeat of Prince of Persia: Warrior Within. The aesthetics have changed, the battles system has been altered, but a familiar formula still operates beneath the surface.

Gallery: Dragon Age 2 (2/8/2011)

Continue reading Dragon Age 2 preview: A shot of adrenaline

JoystiqDragon Age 2 preview: A shot of adrenaline originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredan-lazinDragon-Age-2eamicrosoftmike-laidlawpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 08 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Age 2 will import 'the world' from Dragon Age: Origins save]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/dragon-age-2-will-import-the-world-from-dragon-age-origins-sa/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/dragon-age-2-will-import-the-world-from-dragon-age-origins-sa/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/dragon-age-2-will-import-the-world-from-dragon-age-origins-sa/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You can still import an older save file into BioWare's upcoming fantasy RPG, Dragon Age 2, like you could with Mass Effect 2 -- but since you don't have a persistent character this time (whoever your Warden was in the first game is replaced by "Hawke" in the sequel), it hasn't been as clear what the save file would change in the new game.

Speaking to NowGamer, lead designer Mike Laidlaw revealed that while you don't get to import your character, you're "importing the world" as it was in your game of Origins. "Who's in charge of Ferelden, what happened with the Dwarves, who's running Orzammar?" Laidlaw said. "All of these things are reflected and accounted for in Dragon Age 2." So if you hate the way you left affairs in Origins, consider a fresh save in Dragon Age 2. Then again, maybe you like fixer-uppers.

JoystiqDragon Age 2 will import 'the world' from Dragon Age: Origins save originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareDragon-Age-2dragon-age-originselectronic-artsmicrosoftmike-laidlawpcplaystationps3xboxWed, 06 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Preview: Dragon Age 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/24/preview-dragon-age-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/24/preview-dragon-age-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/24/preview-dragon-age-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,

BioWare surprised fans at Comic-Con with a world premiere hands-on preview of Dragon Age 2, completely open to the public. A block down the street from the convention center, fans were treated to a short presentation by lead designer Mike Laidlaw, as well as a few very brief combat segments and a look at the story that kicks off the game.

I'll get impressions out of the way first: It's faster and more brutal, less cerebral and more exaggerated. You might think that's because BioWare wants to make the game a little flashier and more accessible, and you'd be right in part. But Dragon Age 2's dark secret is that even if the action is a little more over-the-top and a lot darker, there's a real, solid, story-based justification for it.

Gallery: Dragon Age 2 (concept art)

Continue reading Preview: Dragon Age 2

JoystiqPreview: Dragon Age 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecomic-con-2010Dragon-Age-2microsoftMike-Laidlawpcplaystationps3storyxboxSat, 24 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST