Dragon Age coming to consoles News

15 July, 2008

At EA's E3 press conference, BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk mentioned that the Dragon Age franchise would be coming to consoles in the future.

Zeschuk was showing Dragon Age: Origins, BioWare's dark fantasy RPG for PC, which he described as the spiritual successor to classic BioWare titles such as Baldur's Gate.

He said that he expected Dragon Age to become a major franchise "on PC and, in future, on consoles".

It's not clear whether he meant that Origins itself would be ported across, or that other games would be released for consoles under the Dragon Age banner.

We'll have more on Dragon Age from the show later in the week.

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Windsong

15/07/08 @ 01:50

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Methinks Bioware's founders (Greg and Ray) should go back to practicing medicine. At least that way it would seem fitting when they give their customers the ole "white glove" treatment.

First SecuROM, and now this. Seems as if the geniuses behind the masterpiece that was Baldur's Gate have left Bioware for greener pastures.

Bloodloss

15/07/08 @ 01:58

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Sigh.

Katsumoto

15/07/08 @ 02:19

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Dragon Age: Dark Alliance?

craziii

15/07/08 @ 03:48

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ehh, who cares? all I know is that I am not buying another one of bioware pc games without a demo. I got suckered into buying mass affect, not gonna fall for it again.

not a port my ass.

Ryuken

15/07/08 @ 06:56

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Good luck with properly controlling the isometric view combat parts of the game on a console.

UncleLou

15/07/08 @ 07:26

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mass effect was amazing, port or not

It was a great action-adventure, yes.

Xerx3s

15/07/08 @ 07:52

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"I'm glad. I'm a console Gamer and Bioware are awesome. "

By the looks of it, past tense seems to be appropriate there.

Kazzahdrane

15/07/08 @ 08:24

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I don't get all the Bioware hate....I think too many people are angry at them for making Mass Effect for 360 and then porting it to PC. Dragon Age: Origins is first and foremost a PC title so I don't think you should see the same problems. Fingers crossed anyway, and I rather liked ME despite the technical flaws on 360.

JayG

15/07/08 @ 08:40

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Could be because a lot still feel that Baldur's Gate 2 is their best game, and most since have been dumbed down. Personally I'd rather a Jafe Empire 2 to the next mass effect.

UncleLou

15/07/08 @ 08:44

#10

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I don't get all the Bioware hate....I think too many people are angry at them for making Mass Effect for 360 and then porting it to PC.

Nah. Mass Effect aside, which I dearly loved, they haven't made a really good game in years. Neverwinter Nights 1 (the solo campaign) was abysmal, and I for one didn't like Kotor and Jade Empire. As I said, I really loved Mass Effect, but it didn't satisfy my RPG needs.

If people are now a bit sceptical that DA is console-bound, it's becasue we are craving for an isometric perspective, turn-based combat, etc. - all that stuff you just don't see in Western RPGs on consoles. Although it really sounds as if it was the franchise rather than that specific game that will be on consoles.

Inigo

15/07/08 @ 08:45

#11

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I really really really trying hard to think positively about Bioware but its hard. This was supposed to be there grand return to the PC market and all the images and video feel look sub-oblivion.

If a game that is designed for a console it will completely different to a game thats designed for a PC exclusive. Party control, UI, control system, etc will be all different.

... I do like the war dogs though!

Triggerhappytel

15/07/08 @ 09:08

#12

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Now there's a surprise. I think the stuff shown for this so far has looked terrifically generic, with talk of it being 'dark' and 'mature' to attract older gamers, presumably.

I too would prefer a Jade Empire 2; it was distinct, unique and beautiful. Much different to pretty much any other RPG out there (particularly Western). I doubt EA would green light a sequel though, as the first one didn't actually sell all that much.

Quint2020

15/07/08 @ 09:12

#13

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"Dragon Age: Dark Alliance"

This.

I sincerely hope they just do a direct port of the PC title as i only play games on my 360 now and i really don't want to have to upgrade my PC, i love Baldur's Gate and games of that ilk but i doubt Bioware will think there is much of a market for them on consoles.

qoobah

15/07/08 @ 10:06

#14

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UncleLou: "It was a great action-adventure, yes."

Was that meant to be an insult? There was more roleplaying in this action-adventure than in most games, and it was brilliantly executed, albeit far from perfect. Surely roleplaying is what role-playing games are all about? No?

I for one prefer story and characters over excel spreadsheets. But that's just me :)

hiddenranbir

15/07/08 @ 10:20

#15

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See, now I know Generic Age isn't going to be the greatest RPG experience ever. It will be stripped to appeal to common denominator and console accessibility. What a load of rubbish.

Someone remake Darklands already. Procedural, epic and freakin' complex rpg. Could play that forever, literally.

Edited 1 times, most recently on 15/07/08 @ 10:22

Wickerman

15/07/08 @ 10:57

#16

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I'm still clinging onto the hope that, taking the article at face value, they are referring only to the franchise and not this specific game coming to the consoles. After all, Baldurs Gate came to the consoles in a totally different form that didn't affect either of the two PC games and their associated expansion packs...

UncleLou

15/07/08 @ 10:59

#17

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"UncleLou: "It was a great action-adventure, yes."

Was that meant to be an insult? "

No. I enjoyed Mass Effect a lot, it just didn't satisfy my RPG cravings. Tatctical combat, different story development, etc. I say it again, Mass Effect is a great game, but if people can't see how it's not exactly a game for people who are waiting for the next Baldur's Gate, they're a bit stubborn. :)

Surely roleplaying is what role-playing games are all about? No?
I for one prefer story and characters over excel spreadsheets. But that's just me :)

You didn't just roll out the old Excel spreadsheets clich�, did you. Oh, you did...

Azazel

15/07/08 @ 11:59

#18

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I'm always a little loath to criticise Bioware too harshly... They're only guilty of creating Throne of Bhaal, and now they can never live up to it.

timberwolf

15/07/08 @ 12:35

#19

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Dragon Age : Cut Short coming to a console near you soon... All the fun with none of the game.

qoobah

15/07/08 @ 13:32

#20

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No. I enjoyed Mass Effect a lot, it just didn't satisfy my RPG cravings. Tatctical combat, different story development, etc. I say it again, Mass Effect is a great game, but if people can't see how it's not exactly a game for people who are waiting for the next Baldur's Gate, they're a bit stubborn. :)

Fair enough, if someone wants a Baldur's Gate type experience then I can easily see that ME wasn't his type of game. I'd just argue that it's still very RPG-like, stressing the fact that as the name implies role playing games are about role playing first and foremost. As I said in another thread, type of gameplay, tactical FPS or isometric micromanagment of your party is just gameplay design, it doesn't make an RPG any more (or less) RPG-like. Both Baldur's Gate and Mass Effect are good RPG's because they offer character development (and I mean characters character, not his stats) and interesting story. They offer different types of gameplay, and it's (or it should be) the gameplay design choice that makes BG fans unhappy about ME. I'm a fan of both though, all the more happy to have more fun games to play :)

You didn't just roll out the old Excel spreadsheets clich�, did you. Oh, you did...

Yes I did. The point was elsewhere though. Note that I don't consider Excel spreadsheet type of gameplay bad (I like it myself with BG1&2, NVN2 etc.), it's just definately not for everyone, while the heart of RPG games, story and character development is a bit more universal. It's these reasons why I consider BG's, PT:T et al great games, not because of the gameplay design.

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