View Full Version : The 'Buying Dragon Age: Origins' thread.
FactionHeir
10-07-2009, 00:46
I'm considering getting a Dragon Age pre-order from the EA website now that I found a 10 pound off voucher online, turning the deluxe edition pre-order into a 29.99 incl VAT purchase.
What is keeping me is that I've read that games will expire after 6 months to a year after you purchased them and then you cannot redownload them anymore. I'm not sure how true that is though and whether their policy has since changed.
I won RA3:Uprising in one of their competitions at the start of the year and that's still available on EADM, but I wouldn't know for how long.
If there is such a clause, I'd probably go for a hard copy instead.
Can someone enlighten me please?
Found this on Wikipedia:
Users are given one year from the time of purchase to download a game. This period can be extended by five years, via the Extended Download Service, by paying a $6 US fee.[6] This is unlike most other digital distribution platforms which allow users to re-download their purchases in the future without limitations. There currently is no option for you to make a personal backup of the downloaded software. This means that after one year if you need to reinstall the software/game that you must repay the full price. Some users have questioned the legality of such a practice.
Source (https://eastore.ea.com/store/ea/DisplayOrderInformationPage): The EADM FAQ.
Basically (from my understanding) you have a year to enjoy the game, you pay a little more and you can have 5 years to enjoy the game. After that? Tough luck. :no:
FactionHeir
10-07-2009, 01:08
That's poor :no:
Thanks for the info Monk, I'll see if I can get it elsewhere, like amazon, gamestop or direct2drive (which has a 5 year anniversary and cheap games as a result for the moment btw).
Any other places worthwhile checking for preorder bonus goodies?
Anytime Factionheir, i was actually surprised EA is doing such a thing. I had thought they were moving away from this kinda DRM, but it looks like they still regard digital media as an evil thing.
I normally pre-order from Amazon since they give me $10 off my next game purchase when the game ships (they also have a bonus item for DA, unique boots) Amazon is actually where I pre-ordered my copy from for the 360, it's amazing what 5 months of solid news can do for a game, isn't it? :laugh4:
Any other places worthwhile checking for preorder bonus goodies?
Maybe someone else can name one, but you've hit most the places that I check for new releases. :yes:
FactionHeir
10-07-2009, 01:21
Yeah, might go for amazon, though not sure how to get those 10 bucks off :grin:
Also found an exclusive on game.co.uk, but no codes for that site, and I don't want to dish out an extra 10 pounds.
That place also doesn't have the digital version, but just the hardcopy collector's edition. Problem is that the UK one seems to be a mere plastic box, rather than the tin one others get so not really worth it.
Yeah, might go for amazon, though not sure how to get those 10 bucks off :grin:
It's sorta like a store credit, when the game ships they will deposit the amount in your amazon account within a couple days. When you next buy a game it should automatically deduct 10 dollars from the price when you're in checkout. Works the same way as gift cards, i believe. :yes:
edit: it should say that on the product page, perhaps amazon uk doesnt have that promotion? :shrug:
frogbeastegg
10-07-2009, 17:28
Amazon don't do offers like that in the UK. The US site won't send games outside the country either.
The UK options for Dragon Age are poor indeed. £39.99/£49.99 (PC/console) for the Game exclusive collector's edition with the special items and a load of junk in an undescribed plastic box, versus various prices for the standard edition which has no special items. Here's (http://www.gamestracker.com/buy-dragon-age-origins-compare-prices-pc.htm) the current prices for the UK PC standard edition.
All editions do come with the bonus Shale character and quest, unless they are sold second hand and the code has already been used.
Amazon don't do offers like that in the UK. The US site won't send games outside the country either.
The UK options for Dragon Age are poor indeed. £39.99/£49.99 (PC/console) for the Game exclusive collector's edition with the special items and a load of junk in an undescribed plastic box, versus various prices for the standard edition which has no special items. Here's (http://www.gamestracker.com/buy-dragon-age-origins-compare-prices-pc.htm) the current prices for the UK PC standard edition.
All editions do come with the bonus Shale character and quest, unless they are sold second hand and the code has already been used.
:thumbsdown:
I was afraid of that when i looked up amazon uk after i made my post. Absolutely terrible.
Anytime Factionheir, i was actually surprised EA is doing such a thing. I had thought they were moving away from this kinda DRM, but it looks like they still regard digital media as an evil thing.
All editions do come with the bonus Shale character and quest, unless they are sold second hand and the code has already been used.DLC is the new DRM for EA. I had thought maybe they'd wised up too, but we were fools.
The new plan seems to be to sell bare-bones games and let you download the actual content via DLC. Is that any better than just forcing you to use online activation to play? Maybe... just a little. You still have to go online. And you still have to register and validate your copy of the game to get the DLC. I don't know how "bare-bones" the retail Dragon Age will be, since it's not out yet. But I do know that the Sims3 was extremely limited in what was available out of the box. Most items could only be had once you "activated" the game. Bah! :soapbox:
frogbeastegg
10-07-2009, 18:26
:thumbsdown:
I was afraid of that when i looked up amazon uk after i made my post. Absolutely terrible.
Amazon.uk are allergic to giving discounts of any sort. They're one of 1,200+ retailers on the Department of Work and Pensions employee discount scheme. When I look them up they proudly offer me a whopping 0% cashback on all of my purchases! One wonders why they agreed to become part of the scheme.
They're also trying to get me to buy a Kindle even though you can't buy books for it if you are outside the US due to restrictions on the inbuilt Kindle shop. Also you'd need a power converter before you could plug it in to charge. Oh - and you'd get hit for massive customs charges! And they advertise this right on their main page too.
I don't know how "bare-bones" the retail Dragon Age will be, since it's not out yet.
I've seen a few folk talking about their advance review copies. It seems like a massive game, they're estimating around 60 hours to complete it on one of the several paths.
I'm quite disgusted by the Game exclusive nature of the collector's edition. They're an expensive place these days to say the least. I only want the extra items and the base game, I don't care about art books and stuff.
EDIT: Heh, by some coincidence the one who's talking the most about his Dragon Age review copy mentioned how long he's played: 121 hours and still increasing. He doesn't say how much of that was for a single playthrough but he does say that he's still finding new material.
I have to say, don't do it.
I used the service for Spore and it uses a very bad download programme with no proxy/router support, also, the download time period then was only a month, so officially, I own Spore, but no way of downloading it or obtaining it by any legal method.
EDIT: Heh, by some coincidence the one who's talking the most about his Dragon Age review copy mentioned how long he's played: 121 hours and still increasing. He doesn't say how much of that was for a single playthrough but he does say that he's still finding new material.
...We're gonna need bigger guns. :sweatdrop:
FactionHeir
10-07-2009, 23:38
So where are you getting it from Frog?
pevergreen
10-08-2009, 06:37
Used EA link to get Northern Strike for BF2142. Bad idea.
frogbeastegg
10-08-2009, 18:55
...We're gonna need bigger guns. :sweatdrop:
It does look as though that's one full playthrough, one partial, and some general messing around rather than a single playthrough.
So where are you getting it from Frog?
There's a 59 page long thread on the quarter to three forums. A guy named Desslock has been posting loads of impressions in the last 10 or so pages. I'd link directly except the thread's full of swearing and other things we don't permit on the org, far too much of it even to give a link with a warning. It's a "hunt it down for yourself at your own risk" jobby.
The audience over at Qt3 have been incredibly sceptical (polite understatement!) of Dragon Age so anything positive coming out of there holds a lot of weight for me. The posters there contains a lot of industry folk - developers, reviewers and other such connections - so they're generally a more critical audience. I've gone from totally repulsed to tempted to pre-order.
A guy named Desslock has been posting loads of impressions in the last 10 or so pages.
Desslock is a bit of an RPG legend. I believe he recently became PC Gamer's (US) official RPG reviewer/columnist. I'd take anything he says with much less salt that the average forumer.
-edit-
Ugh, draconian DRM and greedy DLC. As much as I love RPGs, and as much a I love Bioware, I just dunno.
frogbeastegg
10-08-2009, 20:12
Desslock is a bit of an RPG legend. I believe he recently became PC Gamer's (US) official RPG reviewer/columnist. I'd take anything he says with much less salt that the average forumer.
That's him. He's doing the Dragon Age review for PC Gamer. I only have his forum based reviews and comments to go by but he does appear to have very sound taste. If the game were the immature, insulting trite load of teenage wannabe 'mature' that the marketing has made it appear then he'd have said so. Instead he's praised the plot, characters and decisions, saying that they are well realised, properly mature, and anything but the usual "I am a saint/I eat puppies" Bioware stuff. I almost dare hope that Dragon Age might, might be mature in the way Planescape: Torment was.
He also reports that the combat is challenging on the normal difficulty, and requires tactics and thought on the part of the player. It's being compared to Baldur's Gate, as is the party system.
Ugh, draconian DRM and greedy DLC. As much as I love RPGs, and as much a I love Bioware, I just dunno.
And that's why I would get the xbox version. Well that and the 32 inch HD TV and comfy seat versus a computer chair and a 14 inch monitor.
I've gone from totally repulsed to tempted to pre-order.
Interesting to see I'm not the only one pulling a 180 on DA lately. As recently as a month ago I was still of the opinion that this game was not worth my money, time, or even contempt. It's a strange then to completely change tunes and preorder it (which is something i don't do often), but speaks volumes to how terrible the PR for Dragon Age was at the mid-point in the year.*
And that's why I would get the xbox version. Well that and the 32 inch HD TV and comfy seat versus a computer chair and a 14 inch monitor.
The PC Mass Effect had a similar stink about it if i recall, which is what ultimately led me to finally consider the 360. DA looks to be following that path as well, unfortunately. If you got a console, you should definitely look into DA in that fashion.
*"HEY! GUYS! YOU CAN SLEEP WITH THAT CHICK! SERIOUSLY! ISN'T THAT AWESOME!? *chest bump* YEAH!"
FactionHeir
10-08-2009, 21:25
I don't have a 360, but why would it be better other than having a bigger screen?
And that's why I would get the xbox version. Well that and the 32 inch HD TV and comfy seat versus a computer chair and a 14 inch monitor.
Or you could just do what I did and plug the computer up to your TV, since it is an LCD.
Problem solved.
FactionHeir
10-08-2009, 22:11
I just did some more research and it seems that Stardock's Impulse store gives you the items contained in the hardcopy collector's edition!
http://www.impulsedriven.com/dragonagece
Or maybe I order it and they then tell me it was an error* :grin:
Certainly better to get 3 items rather than 1 exclusive :yes:
*Those are not listed as part of the digital CE for either EADM nor D2D.
FactionHeir
10-08-2009, 23:12
Hmm some more research...it seems the North American DDE gets the 3 hard copy CE items while the UK one doesn't and they cost exactly the same!
I in fact checked on Direct2Drive. Their US site offers for 65.95 (40.41 GBP) and of course their exclusive preorder item. Their UK site offers for 39.99 which does not include the 3 CE items.
Problem is that D2D US only accepts US and Canada IP addresses. I would like to know whether I could use a proxy (or have an American friend) to buy it (as a "gift") and then play it from the UK without the need of a proxy? Anyone have any experience with that?
frogbeastegg
10-09-2009, 17:59
I don't have a 360, but why would it be better other than having a bigger screen?
Lots of reasons, some of which are personal. Because often games which come out on both platforms are made for the console and then ported across. That means the interfaces, controls etc work better on the console, and that performance tends to be more steady. There are fewer bugs. There can never be problems with hardware or drivers. Because I don't need to install, probably won't need to patch, and certainly won't have to update any drivers and such. Because my console is set up in a relaxed atmosphere whereas my PC is in a study. Because my xbox is on the other side of the room whereas I have to sit next to my PC with it's DVD drive and fans which, although as quiet as I could find when building it, still put out more noise than is comfortable when gaming. Above all there's no objectionable DRM nonsense like limited activations.
After a decade and a half of being a PC gamer I'm finding that there's less and less that appeals to me there. These days strategy games are the only genre where my PC holds sway, and the odd RPG which is kept PC exclusive like Dragansang. The things the PC does offer above the modern console generation, like mods, don't interest me much.
Or you could just do what I did and plug the computer up to your TV, since it is an LCD.
Problem solved.
I don't want to carry my PC halfway across my house each time I want to play. The PC needs to stay in this room if it's to serve its other functions. Plus I still have the other reasons above.
FactionHeir
10-09-2009, 20:43
Heard back from Stardock:
Hello,
While we do not advocate circumventing the region restriction in this way, there is nothing we can do if you are able to get it to work. We will not be able to transfer the registration for your friend, so he/she would need to use the gifting option.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Looks like someone's going to get my custom (that is, unless D2D's US division reply the same):grin:
I don't want to carry my PC halfway across my house each time I want to play. The PC needs to stay in this room if it's to serve its other functions.
Being honest, only thing I dislike about PC's is the DRM nonsense, but ultimately, I would like to see far more PC gaming again.
I don't see why consoles have to be different to PC's, there is no reason for them to be. If you have the specifications required the run the games, it should be it. They have "Games for Windows Live", just having something like that, which allows you to play all Xbox games, etc, would be really great.
Make all the controller stuff like USB and other opensource formats, and it would really develop gaming to a new level.
FactionHeir
10-10-2009, 10:49
Got word back from Direct2Drive US store:
Thank you for contacting Direct2Drive Support.
Unfortunately, this game is available to US and Canada Residents only. Download Store staff are not able to make exceptions. This option is not able to be manually overriden. You must be physically located in the US or Canada at the time of purchase and download.
Looks like Impulse is the way to go for UK people :grin:
FactionHeir
10-13-2009, 12:21
Just as a heads-up for those also wanting to use Stardock's Impulse. Use the coupon code SURVEY-2009 for a 20% off until the 1st of November :grin:
Just as a heads-up for those also wanting to use Stardock's Impulse. Use the coupon code SURVEY-2009 for a 20% off until the 1st of November :grin:
For those out there interested in the PC version, that means you can snag the Deluxe Digital Edition (The same as a collector's off Amazon) for $51 USD after using this promotion code. That's the same price as the normal edition so unless you hate digital media and Impulse (or you just wanna get a console version) there's no excuse not to take advantage.
Crazed Rabbit
10-15-2009, 07:29
Maybe the fact that the game is being marketed as a frat boy RPG? Or, at least for that one video and press preview.
Not to take away from the deal you pointed out - if the game appeals then Impulse is the way to go. Perhaps I'm just haunted by the specter of ETW.
CR
Alexander the Pretty Good
10-15-2009, 08:46
An *actual* frat boy RPG has a perverse appeal to me.
Equip my +5 moxie cargo shorts.
Level up Beer Pong skill.
Use my ipod to play Bob Marley songs for +1 manna.
/ok, basically what I'm saying is I like Kingdom of Loathing
Maybe the fact that the game is being marketed as a frat boy RPG? Or, at least for that one video and press preview.
Not to take away from the deal you pointed out - if the game appeals then Impulse is the way to go. Perhaps I'm just haunted by the specter of ETW.
CR
I know what you mean. I think it was around April where I was close to declaring Dragon Age my worst enemy due to their PR campaign. But over the year(last couple months especially) i've been watching it.
It actually looks, dare I say it, good. I dunno what possessed Bioware to take the marketing route they did earlier in the year but it nearly killed my interest. :dizzy2:
FactionHeir
10-15-2009, 23:30
I take it you ended up getting a copy too? :grin:
I take it you ended up getting a copy too? :grin:
As a matter of fact, I did. Canceled my 360 pre-order and grabbed a deluxe ed off Impulse for $10 cheaper. How could I refuse? :beam:
frogbeastegg
10-16-2009, 15:25
Does anyone know how big the download for Dragon Age will be? I heard 15GB quoted at one place which is completely impossible for me as I'm on a 20GB per month bandwidth cap. Impulse doesn't list a size on it's game page.
I wouldn't mind a cheap(ish) deluxe edition from Impulse as the British only special edition is rubbish in comparison to all the others and is stupidly expensive to boot! From early accounts it appears that the PC and console versions will play somewhat differently due to the changes in camera modes and group controls. I can see myself happily playing a high difficulty strategic style playthrough on the PC and an easier, more fun oriented one on my xbox, swapping between platforms depending on what mood I'm in and what time I have available.
FactionHeir
10-16-2009, 15:45
Steam offers it too now starting today, but again the cut version for UK people.
Impulse is still the best deal with gifting and 20% off.
Does anyone know how big the download for Dragon Age will be? I heard 15GB quoted at one place which is completely impossible for me as I'm on a 20GB per month bandwidth cap. Impulse doesn't list a size on it's game page.
I wouldn't mind a cheap(ish) deluxe edition from Impulse as the British only special edition is rubbish in comparison to all the others and is stupidly expensive to boot! From early accounts it appears that the PC and console versions will play somewhat differently due to the changes in camera modes and group controls. I can see myself happily playing a high difficulty strategic style playthrough on the PC and an easier, more fun oriented one on my xbox, swapping between platforms depending on what mood I'm in and what time I have available.
I think it might be anywhere from 15bg-20gb. System requirements over at the DA forums (http://daforums.bioware.com/viewtopic.html?topic=682449&forum=135) claim it to need 20gb. :dizzy2:
frogbeastegg
10-16-2009, 17:54
Great. :nixes the plan to buy the cheaper Impulse PC copy at release and pick up a console copy later on when it's cheaper: That means I'm stuck with no way to get any of the special extras unless I pay crazy amounts for Game's cut-down rip-off of a collector's edition. The basic Dragon Age game is already more expensive than I'm used to paying for new games, PC or console. I'm having a hard enough time psyching myself up to part with £38 for the basic xbox version - I do not want to support the fat price increase that's magically been slapped on games recently. Last year I've have had the PC version for £17.99 and the console one for £29.99 if I shopped around. Now it's £25 and £38.99 at absolute best, with the collector's edition being £39.99 and £49.99 respectively.
:sighs: I expect the UK will see much of this content as paid for downloads so we'll have to pay for something the rest of the world got for free. Worse, many of these extras could count as seperate DLCs so it's likely to add up to being very expensive. The absolute low is that if I wait until a month or two after release when the game's cheaper I might not even get the 'bonus' character and dungeon that's included with every release copy.
This game's a pain in the rear. First I felt sick each time I heard it mentioned because of the dire marketing. Now, when word of mouth has undone most of that damage, the exploitation of a select part of the audience makes me queasy. It's like they do not want me to play the thing!
NB: Yes, I know the extras won't dramatically alter the game experience so in the end they don't matter hugely. Thing is, why should I pay more in order to get less than most will? Especially if I'll probably then have to pay a second time if I want to see the content?
NB2: And yes, if I'm that squeamish about the console price I could get the cheaper PC version. Problem: the PC version is overpriced for a PC game and I don't feel happy about paying that much for it either, especially when it's not my platform of choice for this game.
:thumbsdown:
Dragon Age: Origins - Digital Deluxe (UK) is apparently on Steam for £40.
The standard edition is £30
Just reading now, the differences is amazing (in a laughing way)
Steam Exclusive Item
The Wicked Oath
Countess Luciana of Antiva lived as a virtual prisoner in her husband’s castle until an elven slave offered her a way out. The slave magically bound a small amount of the countess’s blood into a ring in return for a promise of freedom. The countess agreed, and the count was found stabbed soon afterwards, this ring lying beside him. Neither Luciana nor the slave were seen again.
Adds +10% to critical strike damage
Improves armor penetration by 2
Adds +1 to combat stamina regeneration
Pre-order special content:
The Memory Band
Made by the Formari, these lyrium-infused rings are supposed to help apprentices retain their lessons. They work rather well -- too well, perhaps, as less capable students sometimes wear three or four per finger.
Adds +1% to XP
Adds one skill point
Additional Content in Dragon Age: Orgins (Not sure what this even means, guessing over Xbawks version)
Blood Dragon Armor
Commissioned by an infamous Nevarran dragon hunter, this armor was crafted in a time when dragons had almost been hunted to extinction. Infused with their blood, the armor gained notoriety after the hunter died at the hands of men rather than the dragons it was designed to protect him from.
Grants exceptional protection in combat
Armor will be usable in BioWare's upcoming science fiction epic, Mass Effect 2
The Stone Prisoner
The darkspawn-infested village of Honnleath holds a secret: the forgotten stone figure at the town’s heart is a powerful golem frozen in time. Free the creature and reveal a storied quest to unlock its power and mysterious past.
Download The Stone Prisoner and gain access to Shale, a mighty stone golem who can join the party and travel throughout Dragon Age: Origins. One of the most powerful characters in the game, Shale comes with a rich back story, extensive voice acting, and a unique follower quest to explore. The Stone Prisoner also includes new environments, items, and hours of additional gameplay that adds to the Dragon Age: Origins campaign.
A powerful new party member to aid in the epic quest to save Ferelden from the Blight
New areas, including the troubled village of Honnleath
New achievements, items, and unique insights into the Dragon Age: Origins storyline
Deluxe content:
Warden's Keep
Some claim the fortress of Soldier’s Peak is corrupted and overrun by demons. Others whisper of betrayal and the spirits of murdered Grey Wardens. Whatever the truth, Soldier’s Peak is no place for the living.
Relive the darkest hour of the Grey Wardens with all-new content that adds to the main Dragon Age: Origins campaign. This downloadable adventure reveals secrets hidden for generations, and includes unique achievements, unlockable character abilities, powerful items, and much more!
New quests - discover what really happened to the Grey Wardens of old and what led to their expulsion from Ferelden
New features - a base of operations with party storage. Inventory full? Stash new items as well as loot from the main Dragon Age: Origins campaign
New items and abilities - talents and spells from the Power of Blood school, unique achievements, and powerful items including a set of Grey Warden Commander armor
Digital Soundtrack
Includes a collection of tracks from the score of Dragon Age: Origins
Wallpapers
Includes a collection of wallpapers for your desktop background
I gotta 'fess up—Steam has kinda won me over, especially after trying some other download services. Steam stole my heart when I had to swap out motherboards, changed the drive letter on my storage drive (where Steam resides, along with my other fat games) and worked flawlessly, despite the drive change. Every other app went berserk, and needed hand-holding, register-tweaking and long walks before they would behave. Steam is robust in this sense.
So DA is available on Steam now? I guess I'll plonk down for it, like the RPG catamite that I am.
I only used Impluse for Demigod and I had a very very bad experience with it. I didn't even know about Impluse till that game either.
With Steam, its been only good, especially with the deals. Also, I like my games up to date and patched, it usually makes sure they are working right (unless it is Empire:Total War, but that is not Steam's fault)
I guess I've been lucky, both download services have worked wonderfully for me and I've been skipping happily along without a care in the world. But then, my computer is fairly new(ish) so maybe Steam and Impulse just love my set up.
Impulse was fussy when I tried to sign up, but since then its been great. Steam's one and only failing with me was its implementation in ETW which was sloppy and ham-handed at best.
Oh there is a character creator too. Why did no one say about that? You evil people.
Oh there is a character creator too. Why did no one say about that? You evil people.
I like to hoard news? :idea2: :laugh4:
Yes, there's a character creator (http://blog.bioware.com/2009/10/13/character-creator-and-the-bioware-social-network/) to let you toy around with some ideas for your first go. For PC users you can directly save and import this character into the game from the creator (or so Bioware boasts!), console players are out of luck however.
Bioware also launched a beta version of a new social site (http://social.bioware.com) to go hand in hand with the creation tool. They are meaning it to be a place for people to upload characters to show off, as well as an easy "go to" for modding. So far people seem to like it. :shrug:
I found the character creator very limited. Only ended up going for was a basically default choice. :shrug:
I found the character creator very limited. Only ended up going for was a basically default choice. :shrug:
I found it to be a step up from the Mass Effect creator, but still not as in-depth as others (especially an mmo creator, such as Aion's). IMHO it suits the purpose.
I found it to be a step up from the Mass Effect creator, but still not as in-depth as others (especially an mmo creator, such as Aion's). IMHO it suits the purpose.
Hopefully it is pretty easy to mod. Those bodies have a lot to be desired. I didn't know females look like wide surfboards with two odd looking bumps on them.
FactionHeir
10-16-2009, 23:20
Well frog, you can pre-order a physical copy (this is what I think you are looking at) from Poland (all in English). Their collector's edition is in the steelbox with cloth map and extra items and what not comes at about 55 or so pounds with shipping. Of course it won't arrive on release day...
Or if you want it faster, get it from Germany or Spain, but pay an even larger premium.
frogbeastegg
10-17-2009, 11:11
Well frog, you can pre-order a physical copy (this is what I think you are looking at) from Poland (all in English). Their collector's edition is in the steelbox with cloth map and extra items and what not comes at about 55 or so pounds with shipping. Of course it won't arrive on release day...
Or if you want it faster, get it from Germany or Spain, but pay an even larger premium.
Yes, it'll have to be a physical edition. The download is too big; I'd use up my month's allowance of bandwidth and then spend the rest of November being charged each time I used more.
Importing is something I had already considered and decided against. Unless the place sending it marked the value down a la VideoGamesPlus of Canada I'd get hit by import tax and the last time I fell foul of that it ended up costing me almost as much as the item was worth thanks to the unavoidable 'service' charges piled on top of the VAT. Plus with the postal disruption I might never see the game. Anything that's unusual or clearly valuable tends to disappear from this city's depot during strikes.
There aren't many options and they will all leave me feeling bad. Just a matter of picking my flavour of financial abuse. If this weren't a Bioware RPG I'd leave the game on the shelf.
What internet do you use, Frogeggbeast? I mean even talktalk is free unlimited internet, what kind of service are you using? o_O
Virgin, talktalk, Sky, BT, etc are all unlimited, how did you get pigeon holed into 3rd rate fixed internet?
frogbeastegg
10-17-2009, 21:00
I'm with BT, one of the mid-tier packages. It's changed an awful lot since I first signed up for it (back when 512kb broadband was considered good!) so I don't know precisely which package it's labelled as right now or the full feature list but I do know the parts which concern me: 20GB bandwidth cap, up to 20MB depending on what your phone line can handle, unlimited access, wifi included, digital vault. I don't care about internet phone and other such stuff. There's a lot of it been added to the package or altered over the years; I don't take much notice unless it's something I will use.
AFAIK there's only one BT package with unlimited bandwidth and it costs nearly £10 a month more and since I rarely use anything close to my full 20GB limit upgrading never felt worth it. The service is as solid as a rock; it's been down twice in all the years I've had it so I've never felt inclined to change provider either.
I can exceed my bandwidth cap for one month without paying. I'm charged if I do it for two months in close succession. Unfortunately I (knowingly and purposefully) went over the cap recently thanks to needing to download a tonne of stuff after reinstalling windows. :cough: I managed to use 38GB :cough: Since I knew I wouldn't be charged that time and had no expectations of other large downloads there was no reason not to go hell for leather and grab everything at once.
FactionHeir
10-17-2009, 23:38
Considering Poland is in the EU, there would be no import fees I think.
Here's where you can view all of the race/class origin stories (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMadArab#p/u).
frogbeastegg
10-20-2009, 19:56
Another reviewer in the quarter to three thread is saying that it's the best Bioware RPG hands down, combining the best aspects of all of their previous games. I don't know who this guy is so I'm not taking it too much to heart, however it's good to see there's a fair amount of agreement out there that this game is worth playing.
I've booked the week off to play this. :feels geektastically sad: Well I had a week I needed to take before the start of December and there you go. It's not like I intend to do nothing but play games. Having done that I thought I'd better do something about securing a copy so I pre-ordered the vanilla xbox version from shopto because they're cheapest out of the places I use and I can get some cashback with them because of who I work for. If the postal strikes sabotage my delivery then I shall pick up a vanilla PC copy on my way home from work.
I've also made peace with the fact that I'm not going to see any of the bonus content. I'm not buying the DLC unless it's ultra amazing with cherries on top. It's the only way I can tolerate the pricing for the base game, especially when the word is that each DLC quest will cost £5.99 or £7.99!
O Froggie, wisest of mods, could you change the name of this thread to reflect the fact that it has become the primary Dragon Age discussion area?
It's not like I intend to do nothing but play games.Yeah, there will probably be at least a little eating and sleeping in there somewhere too. :tongue2:
I'm still kind of torn on Dragon Age... I think the game looks good, but I really don't like EA, plus I'm concerned about their new DLC approach, and I don't know what platform I'd want it on yet either (PC/PS3). I think, for me, the wise choice is going to be to hold off and wait for some more reviews and impressions to come in- post release. :shrug:
FactionHeir
10-21-2009, 09:00
Overall I quite like what I'm reading about the game but its got 2 drawbacks:
1. Confirmed no multiplayer of any shape or form
2. Confirmed game is a DLC content base (NPC interaction having an OOC phrase that tells you to get a DLC to go further with them), so that any additions will be in the form of DLC.
The first DLC comes with the deluxe edition.
I know the Steam version comes without secuROM which is great, however, I will be upset if the DLC is through EA Downloader junk, as that doesn't work with my internet.
frogbeastegg
10-21-2009, 18:34
O Froggie, wisest of mods, could you change the name of this thread to reflect the fact that it has become the primary Dragon Age discussion area?
I've renamed it to ... well, everyone will have noticed what it's now called.
When the game's in our hands a new topic might be the best approach. Gameplay impressions and reviews without needing to wade through all of this. We'll see how it stands in 3 weeks time.
I can't run the character creator without my PC warning me that it is getting too hot after a short time (by the time I reach the stat distribution screen). Had the same problem with NWN2 - it became unplayable due to the overheating it caused. In both cases, it seems strange as the graphics are frankly nothing much to write home about. I guess I will have to pass on this game.
Overall I quite like what I'm reading about the game but its got 2 drawbacks:
1. Confirmed no multiplayer of any shape or form
2. Confirmed game is a DLC content base (NPC interaction having an OOC phrase that tells you to get a DLC to go further with them), so that any additions will be in the form of DLC.
Seriously? I can't imagine how they could've come up with a more ham fisted approach to content than that. :dizzy2:
I can't run the character creator without my PC warning me that it is getting too hot after a short time (by the time I reach the stat distribution screen). Had the same problem with NWN2 - it became unplayable due to the overheating it caused. In both cases, it seems strange as the graphics are frankly nothing much to write home about. I guess I will have to pass on this game.
Might be something to do with your computer. As it sounds like a laptop, make sure it is set-up with clear air passages, and put a DVD case at the back of it, so air can get underneath the laptop as well (usually a fan there too.)
That usually solves it.
FactionHeir
10-21-2009, 19:59
Open up your laptop and give it a clean. My old laptop used to shut down when playing nwn1 when thing started to get heated due to dust and nonfunctioning fan.
Meneldil
10-21-2009, 20:01
Overall I quite like what I'm reading about the game but its got 2 drawbacks:
1. Confirmed no multiplayer of any shape or form
2. Confirmed game is a DLC content base (NPC interaction having an OOC phrase that tells you to get a DLC to go further with them), so that any additions will be in the form of DLC.
Holy crap. They've reached a new low.
Zenicetus
10-21-2009, 20:16
Is there any word on a demo? I'm a little concerned about whether my older PC and new-ish video card will be able to handle it. I can run things like Bioshock and Mass Effect just fine, but some of the screen shots look graphically intense. I've had a few games like NWN2 bog down when the screen is full of characters all throwing spells at once, but maybe Dragon Age is better optimized for the lower game rendering settings. Without a demo, I'll probably have to wait to read a bunch of user reviews on lower-end PC's.
Also, is there anything in the character editor that can serve as a preview of the graphics load? Does your created character get to run around in an environment, or are you just rotating a 3D mannequin when choosing options?
Also, is there anything in the character editor that can serve as a preview of the graphics load? Does your created character get to run around in an environment, or are you just rotating a 3D mannequin when choosing options?
Just the rotating mannequin, I think - I stopped during that stage but there is a movie at the start that might have got my computer all hot and bothered. It's hard to believe the bland mannequin was so intensive on the graphics. From my experience, the editor might be enough to warn you off buying the game for fear of the graphics load.
Might be something to do with your computer. As it sounds like a laptop, make sure it is set-up with clear air passages, and put a DVD case at the back of it, so air can get underneath the laptop as well (usually a fan there too.)
Yes, something to do with my computer, I am sure. It gets too hot - a 3 year old desktop (P4 3.4GHz) it does not cope as well with games as it should. I upgraded the graphics card (Geforce 7800 GS), PSU and RAM (3 GB) but it struggles. Most games are ok if I lower the graphics below the higher end settings automatically recommended. It's just NWN2 - and now this Dragon Age character creator - that gets things so hot I get warned (by SpeedFan or something). Periodically opening it up and cleaning up the dust and vents helps avert a melt down, but not enough to allow me to play NWN2. (Strangely, NWN2 worked ok when it first came out - but now when I try to go back to it, it goes bananas. Maybe the new graphics card?)
Crazed Rabbit
10-21-2009, 22:38
They've got DLC ready to sell the day it comes out?! The inquisitive smilie does not express my frustration.
Bah, what with it coming from EA, I'm just not getting it.
CR
Tratorix
10-21-2009, 23:20
They've got DLC ready to sell the day it comes out?! The inquisitive smilie does not express my frustration.
Bah, what with it coming from EA, I'm just not getting it.
CR
The funny thing is, EA's been a lot better about this lately. Now they're starting to backslide again. :soapbox:
I'll probably get this anyway, though, since Bioware could probably sell a box with a rabid badger in it and I'd buy it on release day. :shame:
Krusader
10-22-2009, 03:33
Had it preordered from amazon.co.uk (just for an extra item, plus its cheaper than Norway), but now it seems two DLCs (Blood Dragon Armour & Stone Prison) are not included in the standard edition in the UK (Bioware have said every copy will have those two, but the lack of confirmation has gotten many people worried, especially since the Collector's Edition in UK was trimmed down compared to North American one.)
So I ended up saying fudge it and just as well bought the Digital Deluxe Edition on Steam, so I got it all. But can't say that EA is creating brand loyalty. Wondering if EA & Activision are competing to see who are the biggest douches in the gaming industry.
Had it preordered from amazon.co.uk (just for an extra item, plus its cheaper than Norway), but now it seems two DLCs (Blood Dragon Armour & Stone Prison) are not included in the standard edition in the UK (Bioware have said every copy will have those two, but the lack of confirmation has gotten many people worried, especially since the Collector's Edition in UK was trimmed down compared to North American one.)
So I ended up saying fudge it and just as well bought the Digital Deluxe Edition on Steam, so I got it all. But can't say that EA is creating brand loyalty. Wondering if EA & Activision are competing to see who are the biggest :daisy: in the gaming industry.
It certainly seems like Bioware wants one thing for DLC and EA is pushing something completely different. The fact that it's so hard to get confirmation on what edition includes which DLCs based on region alone makes the entire situation quite confusing and tiring. :dizzy2:
Is there any word on a demo?
The demo, I think came in the form of a character creator, like the one for Spore.
Create a character, choose a class, and save it, for the time until you get the game in can actually use it.
Vladimir
10-22-2009, 18:15
Wait a minute! What's going on here? It's like a bad dream.
What are these mean things everyone is saying about my game? It's supposed to be the best single-player RPG [7] EVAR and everyone's dogging it.
What's it like? Is it good? Please tell me it's good.
:sweatdrop:
frogbeastegg
10-22-2009, 18:26
now it seems two DLCs (Blood Dragon Armour & Stone Prison) are not included in the standard edition in the UK
What!? ~:pissed: I know it doesn't list those on the game's info page for most websites but it's supposed to be as standard to the game as the inclusion of the manual or disc! If I find confirmation of this before release then I'm cancelling my preorder and I shall pick the game up second hand and cheap, since that's what this particular content was supposed to encourage people not to do.
Next they'll announce that the UK doesn't get a box or anything. We'll get the disc in a paper wallet and be grateful for it.
johnhughthom
10-22-2009, 18:37
Steam is still showing the BDA & SP DLCs as part of the standard edition.
Krusader
10-23-2009, 02:32
What!? ~:pissed: I know it doesn't list those on the game's info page for most websites but it's supposed to be as standard to the game as the inclusion of the manual or disc! If I find confirmation of this before release then I'm cancelling my preorder and I shall pick the game up second hand and cheap, since that's what this particular content was supposed to encourage people not to do.
Next they'll announce that the UK doesn't get a box or anything. We'll get the disc in a paper wallet and be grateful for it.
Here's (http://daforums.bioware.com/forums/myviewtopic.html?topic=699744&forum=135&sp=0) a thread on the official DA:O forums about the UK Standard Edition. Since I had preordered with amazon.co.uk I followed it with interest.
The thread is over 300 posts long though, but seems most players share your sentiments frog. :no:
Short summary is that people are upset since both EA UK Store, GAME & Amazon.co.uk have replied to customer e-mails stating that the DLCs are NOT part of the Standard Edition and GAME saying only on Collectors (On a related note, many UK players seem disgusted that GAME got exclusive distribution rights to the Collector's Edition). People hope its just a glitch and that the retailers don't know what they are talking about, but the lack of Bioware response naturally lead to lots of discussion and worries, although it slowed down after a Bioware rep said they would check into it. The only UK stores that will have DLCs so far it seems is Steam and Direct2Drive.
The prevalent theory (and which would not surprise me) is that EA UK saw a way to get increased sales, by not including DLCs in the Standard Edition they hope people would shell out extra pounds (sp?) for them.
Will admit buying it from Steam does not make me a happy man, but when you got the RPG cravings...
What!? ~:pissed: I know it doesn't list those on the game's info page for most websites but it's supposed to be as standard to the game as the inclusion of the manual or disc! If I find confirmation of this before release then I'm cancelling my preorder and I shall pick the game up second hand and cheap, since that's what this particular content was supposed to encourage people not to do.
Next they'll announce that the UK doesn't get a box or anything. We'll get the disc in a paper wallet and be grateful for it.
:laugh4:
How cute...I mean I don't seem to be the only one who is not a big fan of those newfangled modern marketing techniques.
Even if it's relatively good, I think I'm going to skip this one, not just because of the marketing but a game that looks and plays like an offline MMORPG (including the relatively bad animations etc.) and costs about as much if you want it all due to the huge amount of DLC is just...meh! :shrug:
Sarmatian
10-23-2009, 17:03
Think you're overreacting. I believe the game is complete without the DLC and that most DLC will be crap anyway. No need to buy it. I know I won't buy any.
johnhughthom
10-23-2009, 17:09
I don't think it's the actual loss of content that is annoying people, it's more the fact that this is content which is complete, there is no reason not to have it released with the game bar money making. I, like most people, have no problem with DLC made after the release of a game however when DLC is made concurrently with the base game it's a disturbing trend.
johnhughthom
10-23-2009, 17:51
Posted 10/23/09 16:42 (GMT) by Stanley Woo
UPDATE:
Hi, everyone. I received a response this morning from DA producer, Fernando Melo, who's been working like crazy to get this cleared up. Thanks to Fernando and Jason Leong for kicking this issue further up the chain.
From what information we've been given, it looks like all versions of the game in the UK--digital download, retail box, collector's edition and standard edition--will have both the Blood Dragon Armour and The Stone Prisoner.
This appears to be a simple miscommunication with some retail sites. EA is now working to correct this misunderstanding by fixing the information on the EA Store and asking retail sites to change the information they have as soon as they can.
Thank you all for bringing this to our attention. We hope this alleviates your concerns regarding the UK versions of Dragon Age Origins.
Remember to stay tuned for the big DA announcement in just a little while!
Just posted at bioware forum.
I don't think it's the actual loss of content that is annoying people, it's more the fact that this is content which is complete, there is no reason not to have it released with the game bar money making. I, like most people, have no problem with DLC made after the release of a game however when DLC is made concurrently with the base game it's a disturbing trend.
Yes. You can't help but feel like you're buying a bare-bones framework and then being expected to buy all the additional content to flesh it out.
IF I hear that the game is a complete experience out of the box, I may buy it. However, if there are glaring omissions, like dialogue options that result in "buy DLC pack X to enable this response!", I think I'll save my money.
What it really comes down to is that I just don't like DLC. I would much rather buy an physical copy of an expansion than buy/download it piecemeal. :no:
frogbeastegg
10-23-2009, 17:57
The problem is that they promised - repeatedly and for a very long time - this content would be in every copy except second hand ones where the codes had already been used. Now it appears it's been stealthily removed from the UK version and the UK version alone. A version which has already had most of the bonuses the rest of the world gets removed, and which costs more. Now they won't confirm or deny whether we get the codes; they expect us to buy it and find out once we open the box, at which point we are unable to return it if the content is missing.
It's false advertising and illegal under British law, and anyone buying the game and finding the codes missing would have good grounds to sue. It's also outright greed.
I don't care if the added content is good or not. I care that I'm expected to pay so much for a product that contains less than it should, and which is still being advertised as having more than it probably will.
EDIT: johnhughthom posted while I was typing. Hurrah - good news. Though the sceptic in me wonders if the plan was not not give us the content and the massive outcry forced a rapid change of mind. It shouldn't have taken them over a week to confirm this.
johnhughthom
10-23-2009, 18:16
Though the sceptic in me wonders if the plan was not not give us the content and the massive outcry forced a rapid change of mind. It shouldn't have taken them over a week to confirm this.
Remember to stay tuned for the big DA announcement in just a little while!
Anybody else's reaction to this, "What have they thought up to rip me off now?"
Sarmatian
10-23-2009, 18:28
I don't think it's the actual loss of content that is annoying people, it's more the fact that this is content which is complete, there is no reason not to have it released with the game bar money making. I, like most people, have no problem with DLC made after the release of a game however when DLC is made concurrently with the base game it's a disturbing trend.
No, no I get it. I hate DLC with a passion of thousand burning nuns and especially these new practices they're using with Dragon Age. It's just that I think DLC won't add much to the game and beside some minor annoyances, I'll ignore it just fine...
No, no I get it. I hate DLC with a passion of thousand burning nuns and especially these new practices they're using with Dragon Age. It's just that I think DLC won't add much to the game and beside some minor annoyances, I'll ignore it just fine...
I have to agree with Sarmatian. The biggest DLC i can see is the Warden's Keep addition, but beyond that all this other DLC is just fluff to me. Extra armor for ME2 and DA, a new follower, special and unique weapons, all of this is stuff i've seen from other companies. Of all the DLC i've seen mentioned not a single one strikes me as essential.
Yes. You can't help but feel like you're buying a bare-bones framework and then being expected to buy all the additional content to flesh it out.
IF I hear that the game is a complete experience out of the box, I may buy it. However, if there are glaring omissions, like dialogue options that result in "buy DLC pack X to enable this response!", I think I'll save my money.
You bought The Sims 3, didn't you? :shame: I share your pain if so, but I don't think we have to worry about that level of DLC just yet. The Sim developers already had a huge reputation for that sort of content :daisy: before that game, and Sims 3 was just the final straw. This isn't Maxis, this is Bioware.
That said being skeptical in today's market is hardly something I can fault someone for. Besides, you'll get the chance see what everyone here thinks before making your decision. :yes:
Arguably, you could just not buy any of the DLC.
However, that begins a whole new board game.
Ramses II CP
10-24-2009, 18:57
I'm contemplating buying this, but in the absence of MP and with the expected DLC pricing structure I think I'll be better off just waiting until they make a package with a lot of the DLC thrown in... probably around this time next year. Considering that L4D2 is coming out (with MP) and Diablo 3 is still not far in the future (with MP) I don't see the point in jumping the gun on DA.
I am going to try out the character creator though. Who knows, it might convince me.
:egypt:
frogbeastegg
10-30-2009, 23:17
My preorder has updated to 'preparing for dispatch' already! :jumping:
Normally packages get dispatched as soon as they're wrapped so fingers crossed this will be no exception to the rule and I'll get the game really early. I'm due some good karma for cancelling that week off I mentioned because someone needed that same week for much more important reasons.
HK-47 fans may be pleased to hear that Shale, the character from the DLC included in all pre-order copies, reportedly attended the same school and shares his comedy evil tendancies. If he calls humans meatbags then he's staying in my party for good.
My preorder has updated to 'preparing for dispatch' already! :jumping:
Normally packages get dispatched as soon as they're wrapped so fingers crossed this will be no exception to the rule and I'll get the game really early. I'm due some good karma for cancelling that week off I mentioned because someone needed that same week for much more important reasons.
HK-47 fans may be pleased to hear that Shale, the character from the DLC included in all pre-order copies, reportedly attended the same school and shares his comedy evil tendancies. If he calls humans meatbags then he's staying in my party for good.
Aha! Ahaha! Ahah! Ah-hahahahaha! *crackle of thunder, sky darkens*
That is the best news I've heard all day. My new hardware is arriving Monday, just in time for me to install it before Dragon Age hits. Not only that but I don't have class that day or the day the game is released. This is shaping up to be a good week.
I'm contemplating buying this, but in the absence of MP and with the expected DLC pricing structure I think I'll be better off just waiting until they make a package with a lot of the DLC thrown in... probably around this time next year. Considering that L4D2 is coming out (with MP) and Diablo 3 is still not far in the future (with MP) I don't see the point in jumping the gun on DA.
I am going to try out the character creator though. Who knows, it might convince me.
:egypt:
There is a big error. Left4Dead2 is not a RPG.
Krusader
10-31-2009, 02:04
My preorder has updated to 'preparing for dispatch' already! :jumping:
Normally packages get dispatched as soon as they're wrapped so fingers crossed this will be no exception to the rule and I'll get the game really early. I'm due some good karma for cancelling that week off I mentioned because someone needed that same week for much more important reasons.
HK-47 fans may be pleased to hear that Shale, the character from the DLC included in all pre-order copies, reportedly attended the same school and shares his comedy evil tendancies. If he calls humans meatbags then he's staying in my party for good.
Shale is mandatory party member then.
seireikhaan
10-31-2009, 22:35
I'm actually contemplating whether to get this for my computer. There's a lot of promising "things" I keep hearing about this game. But... This DLC thing irks me a bit, and I'm not sure how well my computer will run it. My graphics card isn't at the recommended capacity, though its fairly well above the required, and my computer hits the other required settings(cpu and such).
:juggle2:
Azathoth
11-01-2009, 04:08
So, Dragon Age: Origins...
https://i494.photobucket.com/albums/rr309/desertSypglass/52940__468x_dragon-age-origins-hot-.jpg
Can't wait.
frogbeastegg
11-01-2009, 12:56
I started a gameplay and discussion thread. As soon as you reach the point where you're holding the game in your hands and talking about what you yourself have witnessed, off you go to that thread.
All spoilers - however small - must go in that thread and must be spoiler tagged. Zero tolerance here: if pre-release discussion is correct then this game has an awful lot that will be ruined if you know about it in advance. I do not want anyone here to have their experience damaged because of unconcealed spoilers.
My copy is still in the middle of being dispatched. They are playing with my mind! ~:mecry:
Suddenly I feel warm and fuzzy (http://daforums.bioware.com/viewtopic.html?forum=135&topic=677056):
We’re happy to announce that the boxed/retail PC version of Dragon Age: Origins will use only a basic disk check and it will not require online authentication. In other words, the retail PC version of the game won’t require you to go online to authenticate the game for offline play. We have chosen not to use SecuROM in any version of Dragon Age that is distributed by EA or BioWare.
Suddenly I feel warm and fuzzy (http://daforums.bioware.com/viewtopic.html?forum=135&topic=677056):
We’re happy to announce that the boxed/retail PC version of Dragon Age: Origins will use only a basic disk check and it will not require online authentication. In other words, the retail PC version of the game won’t require you to go online to authenticate the game for offline play. We have chosen not to use SecuROM in any version of Dragon Age that is distributed by EA or BioWare.
Score one for... umm.. common sense! :2thumbsup: Good for Bioware, resisting the urge to fall to the darkside of DRM.
Krusader
11-01-2009, 20:32
5.5% pre-loaded on Steam.
This game is going to ruin the little I have of social life. ~:(
w00t, thanks for the heads-up. I will be ready to neglect work, children and wife as soon as practicable.
FactionHeir
11-01-2009, 21:26
One thing I was a bit concerned about (besides the excessive amount of DLC) was that after acquiring the DLC unlocks on the flash game, it was noted that they are only available till June 2010 for download.
Does that mean DLCs actually expire and you get to re-buy them?
No, only to download from the flash game, then not at all.
Azathoth
11-02-2009, 00:40
So, once again - console or PC?
Depends on whether or not you want to play mods. If they aren't a big deal, might as well go console. If you want modding goodness, go PC.
Azathoth
11-02-2009, 01:00
I DO want the mods, but the problem is, my CPU and graphics card are both below the minimum requirements. That goes for all games this year, actually. :shame:
I was hoping for a really compelling reason to get the 360 version.
Tratorix
11-02-2009, 01:47
I DO want the mods, but the problem is, my CPU and graphics card are both below the minimum requirements. That goes for all games this year, actually. :shame:
I was hoping for a really compelling reason to get the 360 version.
Not having a computer that can run new games is a pretty compelling argument for the console version. Its pretty much why consoles exist in the first place. :2thumbsup:
FactionHeir
11-02-2009, 20:08
Here goes for hoping that the download for Impulse unlocks tomorrow :2thumbsup:
From some more shady sources, it seems that the game discs will be about 8gigs, so nowhere near the 30gigs quoted.
Samurai Waki
11-03-2009, 04:18
Decided to get it through steam, I don't have enough patience to make the 20 mile drive into town and back for a video game.
Azathoth
11-03-2009, 04:43
Decided to get it through steam, I don't have enough patience to make the 20 mile drive into town and back for a video game.
Afraid you'll push it to the limit? Nyuck nyuck nyuck
That was a terrible joke. I'm sorry.
Afraid you'll push it to the limit? Nyuck nyuck nyuck
That was a terrible joke. I'm sorry.
:tomato:
I'm actually a little evious of you steam buyers, you all get to pre-load it while I have to wait until tomorrow to start the download from Impulse. Oh well! I'll be playing by Tues night in any event. :yes:
Samurai Waki
11-03-2009, 05:08
Afraid you'll push it to the limit? Nyuck nyuck nyuck
That was a terrible joke. I'm sorry.
I got homework, and parenting to take care of first; and Gamestop doesn't open until 10:00 in the morning, and I'm too proud of a person to ask my wife to pick it up for me. Steam has been a godsend.
And I still have about 400 Gigs out of a Terabyte that can be filled.
It is. I always had trouble with computer disks as for example, I moved 5 times in the last 5 years... they tend to go missing. However, I always had very good internet connection.
It took me 10 minutes on Steam to download the Dragon Age: Orgins pre-load, while I was in the middle of playing a game/watching a movie/browsing the web, sort of thing. To go to the nearest shop (Game, if lucky, HMV as well) would take a round trip approaching an hour.
Since I am most likely going to reformat this weekend (as I got my copy of Windows 7 profession), it is far easier just to backup on my external harddrive or re-download then fiddle around with disks which are a reliability.
seireikhaan
11-03-2009, 15:28
Well, I buckled and got the game through steam last night. I woke up about 20 minutes ago, and when I made my way to the computer, I was ~:eek: when I found it only made its way to 18.5% on the pre-load through the night.
It must be your internet connection. It took 30 minutes for myself. But then again, the downloading speed was 10MB/s.
Furunculus
11-03-2009, 16:06
Suddenly I feel warm and fuzzy (http://daforums.bioware.com/viewtopic.html?forum=135&topic=677056):
We’re happy to announce that the boxed/retail PC version of Dragon Age: Origins will use only a basic disk check and it will not require online authentication. In other words, the retail PC version of the game won’t require you to go online to authenticate the game for offline play. We have chosen not to use SecuROM in any version of Dragon Age that is distributed by EA or BioWare.
i spent a lot of time joining in the official DRM bitching threads over the previous twelve months.
i'm grateful bio caved, and i will be buying the disk version as a result.
i spent a lot of time joining in the official DRM bitching threads over the previous twelve months.
i'm grateful bio caved, and i will be buying the disk version as a result.Eh, they're practically doing the same thing with DLC. There's content that's available on release day that you can't access unless you go online, register (activate) and download. You're still going to do online activation- just this time they've tricked you into wanting to do it. :sweatdrop:
To be fair, if the game on disc is complete and not obviously missing content without the DLC, it is a substantial improvement on SecuRom. :yes:
seireikhaan
11-03-2009, 17:57
It must be your internet connection. It took 30 minutes for myself. But then again, the downloading speed was 10MB/s.
A stalwart 65 KB/s over here. :wall: Gonna be a bit.
I think Steam just doesn't like me, however. I was getting 1 MB/s when downloading windows 7.
al Roumi
11-03-2009, 18:28
I've just been checking out this review (http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/104/1040976p2.html), can it really be truted?
Ever since Empire's release I am now massively cautious about great reviews... If its anything like Baldur's Gate, I will get it, but I think I'm going to follow what you guys report on it! In any case, I'm still trudging through a Fallout3 playthrough.
frogbeastegg
11-03-2009, 18:35
It's in the post! :jumping:
Maybe tomorrow. Maybe. Parcels from shopto do arrive the day after dispatch 98.2% of the time ... but they did use the Royal Mail signed for service and the strikes are causing havok.
If you pre-ordered through Impulse, log in and check your games tab! It has been unlocked for me and my download will start once I get home. DLC email has not arrived yet, but I expect it within the day or tomorrow.
Happy playing all!
edit: DLC has just arrived with instructions on how to redeem. Check your emails, impulse users. :bow:
It's live on Steam. Now if only I didn't have a must-do project from a very lucrative client, I'd be all over that like a cheap suit.
-edit-
I told Steam to decrypt the files so's it'll be ready as soon as I am. Looks like the decryption will take as long as the download did. Oh well, better this than the clustermob that was the ETW release.
Krusader
11-03-2009, 20:27
I got to wait till Friday since I'm Norwegian :no:
From reading reviews two things I've noticed:
1) Its more difficult compared to previous Bioware RPGs and you need to be careful.
2) Its 40-50 hours gameplay, maybe 5 hours extra with DLCs.
FactionHeir
11-03-2009, 21:43
DLC email arrived about 1 hour after the game unlocked on Impulse.
Problem is, Bioware's Social site somehow hates me and the "Register" button for game registration is non functional (clicking does nothing). Even tried it on 3 different laptops using IE6, 7 and 8. ~:(
DLC email arrived about 1 hour after the game unlocked on Impulse.
Problem is, Bioware's Social site somehow hates me and the "Register" button for game registration is non functional (clicking does nothing). Even tried it on 3 different laptops using IE6, 7 and 8. ~:(
http://go.bioware.com/dragonage/redeem/en-us
Social site has been killed by high traffic. It'll be back up soon.
Oh hey it's back. Anyway. Registration seems a bit goofy right now - lot of people having a problem with it.
Yeah, I gave the game a quick spin while waiting for a phone conference with my client. Completely unable to get the codes/whatever working. Sheesh. Why can't they implement some sort of in-game interface? Idjits.
Yeah, I gave the game a quick spin while waiting for a phone conference with my client. Completely unable to get the codes/whatever working. Sheesh. Why can't they implement some sort of in-game interface? Idjits.
Yep, I can't get it working either.
Impulse users who have used EA's live chat tech support report that EA is working on getting it fixed, and they are told to try again in a few hours. Everyone in the US must be trying to register at the same time. :shame:
Krusader
11-04-2009, 00:10
Just checked and Dragon Age is available a day earlier on Steam...as of writing this that's 23 hours and 49 minutes away.
And lets hope Social-site works better tomorrow.
Meneldil
11-05-2009, 23:46
It must be your internet connection. It took 30 minutes for myself. But then again, the downloading speed was 10MB/s.
D'oh. I get 300kb/s. Every once in a while. I mean, it happened 2 months ago.
Maybe someday France will get real connections too.
Oh well, went to downtown to buy the game in a typical "Oh well, I'm poor, but this time I don't give a damn" mindset, only to find that it won't be available on PC before the 19th. Apparently they screwed with the shipping big time in my area. Bleh.
al Roumi
11-06-2009, 11:26
Oh well, went to downtown to buy the game in a typical "Oh well, I'm poor, but this time I don't give a damn" mindset, only to find that it won't be available on PC before the 19th. Apparently they screwed with the shipping big time in my area. Bleh.
noooooooo. That must be frustrating! I'm waiting for my boxed copy to arrive in the mail, it was only released in the UK today (although earlier on Steam).
I won't get mine before next week, but that's ok (i hope!) as I have Broken Steel to finish on FO3.
Meneldil
11-06-2009, 11:35
Speaking of that, if I plan to get it over some internet downloading service such as Steam, Impulse or Gamergate, which one is the best to go with?
From what I understood, each one has it own DLC and what not. So meh, any idea?
Samurai Waki
11-06-2009, 11:37
I used Steam... it seemed to have a fairly reliable connection the whole way through. My brother on the other hand swears by Impulse; since their advertising is far less annoying.
FactionHeir
11-06-2009, 13:14
I got it from Impulse. You get the 3 DLC items that way for the DDE which are US version only. Impulse is the only service (I think) that doesn't check whether you actually are US or not when downloading.
al Roumi
11-06-2009, 14:28
You can buy all DLCs from windows live anyway. I'm planning to do so once my box arrives -I feel like i need the reassurance of a hard copy...
You can buy all DLCs from windows live anyway. I'm planning to do so once my box arrives -I feel like i need the reassurance of a hard copy...
Nope... it doesn't use Windows Live.
al Roumi
11-06-2009, 15:05
Nope... it doesn't use Windows Live.
http://eu.dragonage.com/news.asp?id=59505
"The Stone Prisoner will give players access to the mighty stone golem Shale who can become one of the most powerful party members in the game. Shale comes with its own personal back-story and unique quests for the player to discover. The Stone Prisoner DLC will also include new environments, items and hours of additional gameplay, further deepening the epic Dragon Age experience. The Stone Prisoner will be available to original purchasers of new copies of Dragon Age: Origins at no additional cost via a code* on an insert card in the retail version or as provided by the retailer for digital purchases. The Stone Prisoner can also be purchased separately on the PlayStation™ Store, the PC via the in game menu or on Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace."
The same message is reiterated for all DLCs on the page.
I got it from Impulse. You get the 3 DLC items that way for the DDE which are US version only. Impulse is the only service (I think) that doesn't check whether you actually are US or not when downloading.
Yup, you simply have to be in the US when you buy it. Impulse will let the US buyer gift it internationally which is right awesome. :thumbsup:
I like PA's take today on the DLC and the plethora of release versions.
Contains adult language! (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/11/6/)
This is why I stopped buying games day 1. If it's good, I'll pick up the Platinum Edition (TM) two years from now and avoid this crap. It's just a :daisy: game, not a Microsoft OS.
Edit->moved link to spoilers. Tycho likes to use the naughty words!
I like PA's take today on the DLC and the plethora of release versions.
Contains adult language! (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/11/6/)
This is why I stopped buying games day 1. If it's good, I'll pick up the Platinum Edition (TM) two years from now and avoid this crap. It's just a :daisy: game, not a Microsoft OS.
Edit->moved link to spoilers. Tycho likes to use the naughty words!
To be fair, the armor is pretty nice. :laugh4:
Krusader
11-06-2009, 23:27
To be fair, the armor is pretty nice. :laugh4:
Abilities too it seems.
But did not go for them as it seemed they were Blood Magicish. Would not be RP for my character, plus assume there would be consequences anyhow down the road.
Vladimir
11-07-2009, 00:36
That's weird. I went to Best Buy today and they still had it locked up. Oh well. I usually follow Drone's logic but I wanted to mess around with the toolset.
Barkspawn: I like!
Meneldil
11-07-2009, 12:29
This whole DLC crazyness is indeed annoying as hell. I hope the video game industry will get slapped hard for it, but I doubt that will ever happen. Heck, I'm planning to buy the special edition with all the DLC's.
It's even worse in that case, since the DLC's are released at the same time as the game. Which pretty much means "Hey, we've been working on this for quite some times and could have added it to the main game, but you know what? You're going to have to pay 5 bucks for it" which in turns is pretty much equal to a middle-finger.
I'm honestly trully sorry that the game is good, and looks like the best Baldur's Gate-like released so far, cause that means I'm going to have to buy it. But heck, I really wanted to give them the middle-finger too, and eventually show them my naked butt.
Krusader
11-07-2009, 14:43
This whole DLC crazyness is indeed annoying as hell. I hope the video game industry will get slapped hard for it, but I doubt that will ever happen. Heck, I'm planning to buy the special edition with all the DLC's.
It's even worse in that case, since the DLC's are released at the same time as the game. Which pretty much means "Hey, we've been working on this for quite some times and could have added it to the main game, but you know what? You're going to have to pay 5 bucks for it" which in turns is pretty much equal to a middle-finger.
I'm honestly trully sorry that the game is good, and looks like the best Baldur's Gate-like released so far, cause that means I'm going to have to buy it. But heck, I really wanted to give them the middle-finger too, and eventually show them my naked butt.
Well, when people out there buy DLCs you can bet publishers will do whatever they can to milk the franchise dry. At least Bethesda & Bioware have released toolsets for their games, so people can create their own stuff in addition.
And don't think I disagree with you. It sucks, plain and simple. I'm getting more and more convinced that somewhere down the road we will see another video games industry crash like that happened during the 80s. Just hope there won't be a Nintendo there to have monopoly.
Zenicetus
11-07-2009, 18:53
I'm honestly trully sorry that the game is good, and looks like the best Baldur's Gate-like released so far, cause that means I'm going to have to buy it. But heck, I really wanted to give them the middle-finger too, and eventually show them my naked butt.
Well, you can buy and enjoy the game, and still send Bioware a message by not buying the DLC. Or you can send them a different message by doing what I'm doing. I bought the deluxe version which includes initial add-on DLC, and I might buy a DLC expansion after finishing the game if it adds actual enjoyable playing hours, instead of just trinkets.
But I refuse to buy the optional quest that's available in-game at the campsite, which totally breaks immersion. That's a message I hope a lot of people will be sending. It's just one very small step from there, to having in-game merchants offering to sell you armor or amulets for actual real-world money.
Well, you can buy and enjoy the game, and still send Bioware a message by not buying the DLC. Or you can send them a different message by doing what I'm doing. I bought the deluxe version which includes initial add-on DLC, and I might buy a DLC expansion after finishing the game if it adds actual enjoyable playing hours, instead of just trinkets.
But I refuse to buy the optional quest that's available in-game at the campsite, which totally breaks immersion. That's a message I hope a lot of people will be sending. It's just one very small step from there, to having in-game merchants offering to sell you armor or amulets for actual real-world money.
Maybe I installed the DLC before he shows up at the camp, but i could swear he wasn't there until I installed Warden's Keep.
frogbeastegg
11-07-2009, 23:25
Maybe I installed the DLC before he shows up at the camp, but i could swear he wasn't there until I installed Warden's Keep.
He's there, with the usual quest giver's "!" above his head. He gives you some introductory chat and then tells you to buy the DLC if you want to take the quest.
He's there, with the usual quest giver's "!" above his head. He gives you some introductory chat and then tells you to buy the DLC if you want to take the quest.
Call me Monk the Blind then. :wall:
Must be Xbox only, he isn't there in the PC version. (not on mine anyway)
frogbeastegg
11-08-2009, 00:10
Must be Xbox only, he isn't there in the PC version. (not on mine anyway)
Possibly.
When I saw that there was a quest available in my camp I rushed over to collect it only to run head first into the advert.
Vladimir
11-08-2009, 02:12
oops, wrong thread,
Well, you can buy and enjoy the game, and still send Bioware a message by not buying the DLC. Or you can send them a different message by doing what I'm doing. I bought the deluxe version which includes initial add-on DLC, and I might buy a DLC expansion after finishing the game if it adds actual enjoyable playing hours, instead of just trinkets.
Or you can do what I'm doing, which is waiting for the edition with all the DLC and X-packs combined. This nickel-and-dime job is ridiculous.
But I refuse to buy the optional quest that's available in-game at the campsite, which totally breaks immersion. That's a message I hope a lot of people will be sending. It's just one very small step from there, to having in-game merchants offering to sell you armor or amulets for actual real-world money.
It's a step already taken. :yes:
Actually, I been thinking about this. The whole DLC thing is overblown.
You say "why isn't it with the game!!! whine", but the fact it, it is actually with the game, in the deluxe edition. In the olden days, you had to choose for the more stuff, you had to pay more but then you never have a chance to get it, if you choose for the cheaper option.
What the developer is doing, is allowing those who pay for the deluxe edition, is giving them actual tangible things for their support, while allowing those who went for the cheaper option, the option to pay more to get the individual bits of DLC. Because end of the day, no one is going to buy the deluxe version if all it was, is having a crappy $0.33 mug with "Dragon Age" plastered on the side of it.
So the "DLC" is just the deluxe edition of the game, as the cheaper person, you got the game itself anyway, however, the developers did a little bit extra for those buying the Deluxe addition, then they are allowing you to upgrade to that, if you really want it.
All in all, you got nothing missing at all, you got the game. You just don't have the extras.
Meneldil
11-08-2009, 16:52
I never ever had to chose between two versions of a same game.
Yeah, sometimes you had collector editions, that were collectors because they had fancy stuffs such as a poster, a cloth map, a shirt, the official walkthrough and what not. In the very worst cases, you'd have gotten a fancy but useless item in-game (like WoW collector pets - and those are already completely stupid). But additional content? No sir, I can't think of a simple example right now.
Edit : And people would buy the collector edition if it only had a cloth map, a shirt, a booklet, a poster. I did it for several games. Whenever a collector edition is released, it's out-of-stock after a few weeks, because everyone wants it, even though it does not offer poorly-made additional content.
It would be similar to having a Baldur's Gate 2 version with the character's keep, and one without it. One version with Minsc and one version without him. And that would be freaking retard.
it's even worse for me. I own the DLC and I can't even use it. Because the game won't connect to the servers, even though some how, it lists my achievements on my bioware profile.
Also, the character and keep aren't anything to do with the storyline or similar. It doesn't really matter.
Vladimir
11-08-2009, 19:45
It's an interesting concept. I suppose they're trying to keep their costs down. Usually they'd just produce an expansion but that's far more expensive.
Think of it like Oblivion's DLC.
They can all sorts of random bits, to make the game experience fresh, with new and interesting twists.
Meneldil
11-08-2009, 20:29
Also, the character and keep aren't anything to do with the storyline or similar. It doesn't really matter.
So, you might just as well buy simply the main quest and 2 or 3 characters with the game, and download the rest of the game through DLC's because you know, it doesn't matter and doesn't have anything to do with the storyline.
Minsc wasn't important for BG2 storyline, and neither was the keep/hotel/theater you could get later on. But what would have people said if Bioware decided to release one version without the keep and without Minsc and one with it, or to make them available for 5$.
Back then, when people released such unimportant new content, it was done freely. Cavedog released new units for Total Annihilation freely every once in a while. One of Bioware devs created a few new characters for BG2 that he made availabe for free. Now you have to pay 7€ to get Shale. Awesome.
I'm not surprised the video game industry is quickly becoming just as bad as the music industry when I see how the consummers react to this kind of terrible marketing behaviors.
But you can just download mods for free and they provide you with the tools to do it. So you are not actually losing anything out with it. There is nothing "missing" in the game, from what I can see. The game is there, it is whole and complete, what you can buy are extras.
Think of it as buying a pizza, you can buy the default pizza, it is nice and tasy, nothing wrong, perhaps you want a little extra, you can play the little extra for that little extra. With the mods, it is pretty much going into your fridge for the toppings and stick them on.
If they were releasing an incomplete product, that is one thing, but if they are releasing a complete product, then it is no problem at all.
frogbeastegg
11-08-2009, 21:08
Baldur's Gate 2 had annoying pre-order exclusive content too. Different retailers had CDs with different powerful items on them. The only way to get those items in-game (until the internet stepped in with illegal files) was to pre-order several different copies of the game. My free weapons set didn't come with any instructions so I had no idea how to use it.
IIRC there was an in-game shop dedicated to holding the items until you collected them and it didn't have anything in it if you didn't have the content, and the shop keeper basically told you that you were missing out because you hadn't brought the game the right way.
IIRC there was an in-game shop dedicated to holding the items until you collected them and it didn't have anything in it if you didn't have the content, and the shop keeper basically told you that you were missing out because you hadn't brought the game the right way.
Yeah, the Xbox version. That, I admit, I don't approve of. However, what I have noticed, if you want room, sell your stuff to the shop keeper at the camp. Your items stay with him. Downside is, you have to buy it back if you want to withdraw them, but meh, majority of the stuff I hoarded ended up being usless anyway, and since they are with him, I know where they are at least.
frogbeastegg
11-08-2009, 21:41
I was talking about Baldur's Gate 2 preorder content. :winkg:
Mailman653
11-09-2009, 22:54
This game must be popular to have three threads on here. I'm starting to look into it myself if I have the funds for it.
Meneldil
11-11-2009, 12:44
If they were releasing an incomplete product, that is one thing, but if they are releasing a complete product, then it is no problem at all.
Come on, you perfectly know that everybody will buy the DLC's because the game's not complete withtout them. A new cool character (and a quite powerful one at that) and a way to store equipement and items (plus a few new skills)? Yeah sure, that's not really important.
I wouldn't give a damn if it was just about an additional sword and a couple of rings. But a new characters and the more-or-less equivalent of BG2's keep? All the while said content could have been shipped with the game for free? Yeah, that's being ripped off.
As I said, a couple of years ago, this would have been made available for free. Because back then developpers and publishers still had some kind of respect for the gamers, and didn't consider them as mere cash cows.
Is it that bad? Obviously, not that much. It's only a few bucks, and yes the game is still complete (though the "If you want to learn more you have to download that" in-game speeches are outrageous). But it's definitely a step in the bad direction made by the game industry. When they start charging you for content that should have been shipped with the game, then something is going wrong. And I'm completely allowed to complain about it, just like you're allowed to think it's perfectly fine to be ripped off by Bioware and EA.
What's the next step after that? Since they apparently decided that you have to pay to discover all the lore, they might as well release their next game with only the main quest, and ask you to pay for the rest. Because that's where we're heading.
Baldur's Gate 2 had annoying pre-order exclusive content too. Different retailers had CDs with different powerful items on them. The only way to get those items in-game (until the internet stepped in with illegal files) was to pre-order several different copies of the game. My free weapons set didn't come with any instructions so I had no idea how to use it.
There were two different exclusive shop-keepers: a preorder one (Javul) and a collector edition one (Dreidre). One was made available for everyone with Throne of Baal, the other was made available for everyone through a (legal) patch.
In any case, all the items they sold (they weren't free at all) could be obtained through cheating from day 1.
Furthermore, as I said, I don't care much about preordering special items. First of all, preordering =/ paying 7$ more, and secondly, said items usually have no effect on the game. In MMO you usually get fancy but useless stuff (such as WoW pets, City Heroes' new costumes) and in other games they don't throw the balance off or anything (in BG2's case you still had to pay for them, meaning you couldn't get them right away). It was a nice touch, but didn't have any impact on the game. The new weapons wouldn't offer new quests, give you access to a new dungeon or allow you to one-shot Irenicus.
That's completely different from adding some lore or a new character, especially in a Role-Playing-Game.
I know I probably sound overly emotional here, but I'm deeply saddened by the way the gaming industry has been treating gamers lately. And I consider it to be a new step in the "let's get as much money from these morons as possible (http://www.geeks.co.uk/7282-activision%E2%80%99s-bobby-kotick-hates-developers-innovation-cheap-games-you)" step.
Krusader
11-11-2009, 13:38
@Meneldil:
I agree, but I think the future of PC gaming is not so bleak.
Unreal 3 Engine is free for modders after all (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/11/10/free-engines-and-the-future-of-modding/#more-20958)
Seems like a nice article on future of shooters. With free engines, can there be free indie games?
Regarding Dragon Age, if the new toolset is a powerful tool, maybe we'll see some good mods and maybe even total-conversion ones? We can always hope.
Meneldil
11-11-2009, 14:19
Yeah, I've seen that some people are already making big plans for DA:O modding, such as BG1 & 2 mods. I have high expectations for it, and I'm glad they release such a tool (unlike ETW).
As a modder wannabe, I'm going to have a look at it asap. :2thumbsup:
Mailman653
11-13-2009, 05:44
Well, I got my copy today for the 360, so far I see getting betrayed is becoming a theme.
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