Dragon Age Central

Quote: Posted 08/27/09 14:48 (GMT) by LdyShayna
Knowing my family will be betrayed is one thing, but knowing who and needing to roleplay without that knowledge...meh.

I suppose... though I would argue that if you don't want to know anything about the plot at all, even the early stuff, then you're well-advised to avoid all marketing on the game. I wish we could do marketing that left everything in the game completely untouched, personally, but I'm well aware that the strongest thing Dragon Age has going for it is its depth of story. Sadly, you simply can't tell people "we have an awesome story!" and expect people to believe you.

Really, that's as good an explanation for why graphics gets such high importance in games. You can't sell dialogue.

Quote: Yeah, I'm still seriously considering leaving the forums until the game is released since no one else seems to think anything of these things, though.

I can't argue that may be necessary for some. This isn't a social hangout, after all, but a place where the game (and its marketing) is going to be discussed. We're not likely to create a spoiler forum until after the game is released.

Quote: Posted 08/27/09 14:48 (GMT) by LdyShayna
Knowing my family will be betrayed is one thing, but knowing who and needing to roleplay without that knowledge...meh.

I suppose... though I would argue that if you don't want to know anything about the plot at all, even the early stuff, then you're well-advised to avoid all marketing on the game. I wish we could do marketing that left everything in the game completely untouched, personally, but I'm well aware that the strongest thing Dragon Age has going for it is its depth of story. Sadly, you simply can't tell people "we have an awesome story!" and expect people to believe you.

Really, that's as good an explanation for why graphics gets such high importance in games. You can't sell dialogue.

Quote: Yeah, I'm still seriously considering leaving the forums until the game is released since no one else seems to think anything of these things, though.

I can't argue that may be necessary for some. This isn't a social hangout, after all, but a place where the game (and its marketing) is going to be discussed. We're not likely to create a spoiler forum until after the game is released.

Quote: Posted 08/27/09 14:19 (GMT) by LdyShayna
Yes. WARNING! Anyone wanting to avoid spoilers on the human noble origin should avoid reading this article. Sadly.

Err... how so? Because it says he's not a very nice guy? Really, the things that make people shout 'SPOILER!' in this forum are kind of rendering the word a bit pointless, if you ask me.

Quote: Posted 08/27/09 14:27 (GMT) by PaperClipMan
**** I take it back, I can't see anyone annoyed with a 70 hour game, makes no sense.

Heh, that's what I was thinking.

I think Ray was just saying how long it took him to play the game. I don't see him suggesting that this is how long it would take the typical gamer to play through -- which is a hard estimate, after all, because it depends entirely on your personal play style.

You can spend that long playing the game -- perhaps that is what is more important to take from Ray's figure, if anything. I think the typical playthrough would be less, and for some people who charge through it it may even be a lot less. It's still an enormous game either way.

I find it interesting that we've apparently entered the "Negotiation" phase of the Twelve Steps of Game Acceptance.

In North America, games are released on Tuesday. In Europe, they're released on Friday. This is just the way it is, and it applies to digital and store versions of the game.

Quote: Posted 08/26/09 02:56 (GMT) by Bio-Boy 3000
I am still trying to figure out how some people have come to the conclusion that romances in video games have become a consumer right, and not a artistic license.

Because it's a very personal issue. Imagine if you were gay, and were surrounded by entertainment that (for the most part) reinforced the idea that you existed purely on the fringe. The idea that there could be something like this that validates your personal experience, especially with regards to an avatar that is supposed to be you, is a powerful one.

I think, that for anyone who loves games enough to get upset over the weaponry, the classes or the storylines that are or aren't included you could perhaps sympathize how someone could also feel as strongly about something that hits so much closer to home.

So consider a moment before you scoff. For everyone else, consider as well that we are essentially ekeing out as much punch as we can from what is a comparatively minor part of the game. We're always going to try to please as many people as we can, from the large demographics on down, even if we rarely have the resources to please everyone. For my part, I consider the fact that we get to include this at all to the depth that we do to be a blessing.

I hear what you're saying, but let me point to something you've said:

Quote: Posted 08/26/09 01:45 (GMT) by heisenberg6626
If the aim is to give the player the power to shape the decisions of their character – whom to fight, how to respond, when to quest – shouldn’t it also include whom to love?

Consider the fact that you cannot fight everyone. You cannot make every response you could possibly think of. And there is a limited number of quests that are possible to undertake, each with a limited number of options as to their solution.

When I say that romances are a question of resources, that applies equally to every part of the game -- we are not singling romances out. As I said before, ideally we would include as many romances in as many variations as we could, just as we would include as many combats, dialogue responses and quests. When that's not the case, however, we include what we can. And it's seldom the case. What you suggest would be the ideal, certainly, but that's doubtful to ever be the case, especially in a game where "who you love" is completely optional content.

That said, we'll always strive to include what we can. I think we're well aware how much value some fans (although definitely not all) put on the romances, but I will always resist the notion that they are a democratic right that must be included in every character and in every variation or be scorned -- at that point I would simply rather not include them at all, to be honest.

Quote: Posted 08/25/09 22:57 (GMT) by faerieheart
Even worse is when you know and so should your character but you're still left with, "duh I'm stupid"

As with most things, the context will make sense when you play. Be careful making assumptions based on an incomplete picture. Suffice it to say that the player character is not being stupid.

Quote: Posted 08/25/09 15:25 (GMT) by Maria Caliban
That sounds fabulous! Have you traveled to Europe before? Where are you going?

I've traveled a little there, mostly to visit my relatives in Austria however. My trip is pretty extensive, starting in London and ending up in Greece (and hitting much of central Europe along the way).

But I don't want to derail this thread with stuff about me. Someone asked some great questions about magic here -- the thread should get back to that.

Quote: Posted 08/25/09 15:12 (GMT) by tigrina
For work or holidays? Will you be back before DA:O release?

For holidays -- I'm on sabbatical. I can't wait! I come back the day before DA:O's release, in fact.

Quote: Posted 08/25/09 15:13 (GMT) by Maria Caliban
That means you won't be around to field our five billion questions and comments.

But surely you'd rather do that than travel Europe?

I will probably pop in here from time to time, internet access permitting -- but I'll be pretty scarce. Europe is chock full of excellent food. And excellent Europeans. That will be distracting.

Quote: Posted 08/25/09 15:04 (GMT) by LdyShayna
My apologies for the brief off topic note but - is there an official shelf date on that, or should I just keep watching Amazon for changes?

The release date is still October 13, insofar as I know. I'll be traveling Europe for a couple of months starting next week, so I won't be around when it comes out -- but I sure hope you guys enjoy it.

Quote: Posted 08/25/09 04:14 (GMT) by JD_Brett
I know that the mages in Ferelden reside in Kinloch, I was asking if they had a headquarter for the entire Circle, kind of like how the Grey Wardens have their headquarters in Anderfels.

I suppose the College of Enchanters in the city of Cumberland is something of a "headquarters". That's where Enchanters will gather to determine Circle policy (though not often).

Realistically, the various Circles are ruled from the Grand Cathedral in Val Royeaux. That's where the Chantry is headquartered.

I don't have time to go through all the other questions, but I will say that a large number of them will probably be answered in the second novel. There's more information on the mages there, including a visit inside Kinloch Hold.

Quote: Posted 08/25/09 14:11 (GMT) by action jim
Is this true? Taking out zoom, and making it feel more like KOTOR on the console is one thing, the game play wouldn't really be changed, still a tactically based party game. However, this person at GameCom, has made it sound as if now this game is more like Jade Empire or Baldurs Gate:Console *** Heap.

While I am hesitant to start the game of rushing in to assuage conjured fears, let's give this a go.

For starters, I think you're reading more into that linked post than he actually said, but thankfully your concerns are pretty easy to address. Whether or not you believe me is something else entirely, I suppose.

Quote: I don't want to be stuck hitting attack button over and over like I bought some damn Diablo clone, I want to be able to switch characters, que actions, un-pause and see how it plays out then re-pause and again, tactically decide the next course of action my characters will play out.

Right. And that's what you do (or can do, if you prefer -- there is no option to make any version of the game fully turn-based). On the console version you hit the attack button once for any character to begin their base attack on a targeted enemy. You do not hit the attack button over and over again, nor did the linked post suggest you did.

On the console, you can switch character control at any time (including while paused) to assign actions and you can see by each portrait when a character is currently performing an action and what they are doing. I would say it is easier to control the party on the PC, since you have access to multi-select via the mouse, but that does not transform the console version into the "Diablo clone" as you suggest.

Quote: Does this also mean the console versions have no "if then" AI companion management? Because also in the zoom thread, it mentioned that Companion AI is boosted in console. Is this because we essentially don't get to use them? That they are more AI companion NPCs, than companions whom you direct as a member of your party?

The AI management is exactly the same in both the PC and console version of the game. I don't know what the person means by "boosted" Companion AI.

Quote: Posted 08/25/09 01:43 (GMT) by like2play247
I have followed and waited for this game since it was announced...I just don't get it Bioware. Right now, I'm seriously considering taking this one off the shopping list due to all the BS.

I'm glad that you're looking forward to the game, and I hear that you're frustrated. Hey, nobody would like to get it out to the fans more than we would. There's a world of difference, however, between a game being playable and a game being ready for release -- and if you really want to blame the fact that you can't get the game right now on those evil consoles or us being greedy bastards I guess I really can't stop you.

Hope you enjoy the game when it comes out. I expect that, if it's as good as you seem to think it might be, it'll be worth the wait. If you choose to miss out in protest, however, that's certainly your call. Either way, thanks for caring. I'd much rather someone want the game bad enough to be upset than to be apathetic.