Dragon Age: Origins Expansion Pack 'Awakening' Announced

[Via]

That is fast. Really too fast to have based the thing at least somewhat on any kind of feedback.

I wonder now if they're going to buck another trend by never releasing a GotY edition.

Oh well - I've got plenty of games to play. Maybe Arcania will come out by the time I need another RPG.

 

[ZzZGuy]

I wouldn't call the DLC garbage, but it's nothing special. No game altering content/game fixing content or mind blowing story arcs. It's nice to have come with the game but none is worth buying unless you don't worry over $7.

I really do hope this expansion is worth $40, but I doubt it. I'm happy paying $50 for DA with all it's flaws, but expansions are usually more of the same and DA needs something new (eg, let me explore the world some more god damn it).

 

[Arglebargle]

Day one DLC means that that content was finished before they released the game and was intentionally left out or removed it to nickel and dime customers with after the release. An full blown expansion pack that's set to be released a mere 5 months after release reeks of this too. Expansion packs are fine, but DLC after DLC of the same crap over and over again is what I have a problem with.

Like i've already said in a previous post, if you want to support this nickel and dime mentality go right ahead. I just don't see it as being good for the gaming community so I refuse to support the concept just like I refuse to support EA.

Day One DLC came about because the PC game release was delayed for months due to a desire (probably EA's) to have all console and PC versions out at the same time.

I doesn't appear that you have a good grasp of the amount of work that an expansion pack for a game of this sort takes. Fully voiced games, with NPC interplay are not something you just wave a wand and set up instantly. Given that Bioware has some of this staff already hired, they can keep them working on additions that are cost effective for them, after the obligatory week or so collapse after the game goes gold.

It is, in a way, the Hollywood model of endless sequels and tie ins. Whether the value is worth it to you individually is a decision each person must make. In a way, though, it can be conducive to good gaming: Make a great game, and people will be enthused enough to continue buying add ons; release a crappy one, and no one's interested.

 

[Ichigo]

I believe it was stated by the developers that at least the Stone Prisoner DLC was finished after the game had already gone gold. It's up to you to disbelieve that, but it's not inconceivable that in the timespan between the master disc being set in stone for retail release and the actual retail release, the development team had the time and capacity to create more content (DLC and this expansion). Hell, another subset of the development team could have been specially tasked with creating the expansion separate from the main game. $50 is an arbitrary goddamn number and I'd prefer to see variable pricing just so people would shut up about this and value games by their economic worth instead some fixed fucking baseline.

You're radically divorcing the result from any sort of rational derivation.

Anyway, JoshGuru said most of what I did with more eloquence and patience. I'm just annoyed. I'm sure console gamers will buy it. They're too busy enjoying their game and probably anticipate new content. They'll pay for it if they think it's worth it instead of refusing on some misguided principle.

 

[Scouzer]

I'll wait until there's a Steam sale.

 

[Dumac]

Hence why I said "I believe...". I can't check Kotaku at the moment, but I did glance at the story yesterday, and I thought I remembered seeing them mention 15 hours. I may be mistaken, however.

No, you aren't mistaken.

http://kotaku.com/5440337/dragon-age-awakening-expansion-out-in-march

 

[JoshGuru7]

No, you aren't mistaken.

http://kotaku.com/5440337/dragon-age-awakening-expansion-out-in-march

Thanks for the link! The responses in that thread are even less rational than in this thread but far more amusing.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Hmm, 15 hours is better than usual. How long was Throne of Bhaal?

 

[Dumac]

Hmm, 15 hours is better than usual. How long was Throne of Bhaal?

That added more content in the form of new equip, meachanics, and two completely new classes than actual storyline content. They aren't comparable.

 

[AzN]

interview says upto mid to high level 30 achievements so yeah lot more hours than you naysayers think.

"What we do is basically create a new character for you that's at a suitable level somewhere between 17 and 20 --"

"You will probably end up in the mid to high 30s --"

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/105/1058713p1.html

 

[ZzZGuy]

interview says upto mid to high level 30 achievements so yeah lot more hours than you naysayers think.

"What we do is basically create a new character for you that's at a suitable level somewhere between 17 and 20 --"

"You will probably end up in the mid to high 30s --"

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/105/1058713p1.html

I am one of those players that pays no attention to achievements. Take this away and how many hours are we left with?

 

[dighn]

I am one of those players that pays no attention to achievements. Take this away and how many hours are we left with?

it's more about levelling. levelling from 17-20 to the 30's is A LOT of XP due to the exponential scaling. Of course they could just give the enemies massive XP but I doubt they'd go overboard there, so judging from the levels alone there is at least a lot of battle.

 

[mindcycle]

Day One DLC came about because the PC game release was delayed for months due to a desire (probably EA's) to have all console and PC versions out at the same time.

I doesn't appear that you have a good grasp of the amount of work that an expansion pack for a game of this sort takes. Fully voiced games, with NPC interplay are not something you just wave a wand and set up instantly. Given that Bioware has some of this staff already hired, they can keep them working on additions that are cost effective for them, after the obligatory week or so collapse after the game goes gold.

You may be right. They probably do have a team specifically for DLC and expansions, and it could have been developed after the game went gold. Personally, i'm just sick of this DLC nickel and dime mentality. Make a great game, then maybe a great expansion or two, but this is EA we're talking about. They are focusing on how they can make the maximum amount of money not on whether or not the additional content is any good.

All i'm saying is that if we support this mentality it's only going to get worse. If the expansion comes out and the reviews praise it for it's originality and how the content is well worth $40, then i'll have been proven wrong here. But given the DLC they've already released for this game it seems unlikely. But hey, for those of you who enjoy the game I do hope it's good!

 

[AzN]

It's not about quantity but quality game play. I've had absolute shit games with 30+ hours in my mind not worth the retail price. In other hand I've had games that lasted 10 hours or less that was well worth the experience even though I wanted more.

Dragon Age is quality from start to finish. From superior voice acting to amount of time and detail went into the game must have cost a pretty penny to develop. It was epic experience for me far as role playing game goes. If another 15 hours isn't worth the experience don't buy. The developers used their own money and time to make the game. It's not like the game will stay at $40 4 ever. In few months time you can grab it for less if the price isn't worth at release.

 

[waffleironhead]

Read the rest here: http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/61805

Is it just me, or does it seem a little too soon for a full blown expansion pack? And a $40 expansion pack nonetheless.. Makes you wonder if they just cut this out of the original game to nickel and dime us with later on..

Something tells me you wouldnt be happy anyway they presented this material.

Would you prefer a price per hour of gameplay option? how about an original price of $90 for all of the content(assuming your assumption of the content being done before release)? No additional content ever?

 

[Arglebargle]

You may be right. They probably do have a team specifically for DLC and expansions, and it could have been developed after the game went gold. Personally, i'm just sick of this DLC nickel and dime mentality. Make a great game, then maybe a great expansion or two, but this is EA we're talking about. They are focusing on how they can make the maximum amount of money not on whether or not the additional content is any good.

All i'm saying is that if we support this mentality it's only going to get worse. If the expansion comes out and the reviews praise it for it's originality and how the content is well worth $40, then i'll have been proven wrong here. But given the DLC they've already released for this game it seems unlikely. But hey, for those of you who enjoy the game I do hope it's good!

I'll agree with not being enthused about the DLC trend. The top end of the game companies' managers resemble Hollywood types more and more. They make big bucks, and do precious little but get in the way. They are more and more just bean counters. Expensive bean counters.

The value to content ratio for DLC is wildly variable. Bethesda sold horse armor for $3! For any locked down gaming system (like consoles), this is like printing money. I liked the additional content in DA, but was the price commensurate? Hard to say. Personal decision. But Bioware is still doing a good enough job entertaining me for me to consider getting all their extra goodies. However, I probably won't pay the early adopter surcharge, and will wait til it drops in price by a quarter or a third.

At least, this does keep developer teams employed. I can recall a number of teams that finished developing a game -- and were let go almost immediately. This DLC stuff might mitigate that. Though if the original game was garbage, we will probably just get more of it. My biggest worry is that the trend to DLC will cause companies to get tight fisted with releasing kits allowing for player developed mods and content. Though fully voiced games work to do that as well.

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

nickel and dime nickel and dime nickel and dime

 

[exar333]

$30 is too much? If that is the case, maybe PC gaming is not for you.

As long as it provides 30+ hours of gameplay, it is worth it. Come one, you pay $30 to take someone with you to see a movie (plus drinks/snacks). Not too bad really.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Fucking win. I can't get enough of this game, if the expansion is longer than ~20hrs then I'd pay a full $50USD for it if I had to. DA rawks. These guys are releasing content faster than I can play it, but that's just fine with me.

 

[NoSoup4You]

I assume all the people balking at the price are not Dragon Age fans. I'd feel the same way about a game I didn't enjoy very much. But DAO was extremely good and one of my fav's in the last several years so for me there's no price too high. Gimme more DAO content, to hell with the cost!

 

[mindcycle]

Gimme more DAO content, to hell with the cost!

How about some horse armor?

 

[JoshGuru7]

How about some horse armor?

Dragon Age was easily worth $50 (to me) and Dragon Age with completely useless horse armor (no mounts) would have been well worth $53 if it was included with the original. However, if Bioware gave me the option to buy them seperately by releasing the base game for $50 and the horse armor for $3 I would just buy the base game. In that scenario I am better off as a consumer for having DLC as an additional option.

 

[mindcycle]

Dragon Age was easily worth $50 (to me) and Dragon Age with completely useless horse armor (no mounts) would have been well worth $53 if it was included with the original. However, if Bioware gave me the option to buy them seperately by releasing the base game for $50 and the horse armor for $3 I would just buy the base game. In that scenario I am better off as a consumer for having DLC as an additional option.

Yeah man, I know how you feel about DLC. I was just trying to be funny.

Just for the record, I hope the expansion is great and it's worth the money for fans of the game. I do like Bioware and think they develop great games it's just too bad they got snatched up by EA who wants every game to follow the Sims 3 model..

 

[NoSoup4You]

I'd buy some nice custom armor for dog! C'mon now, who's with me!?

But yeah, I really enjoy supporting products that I get a great deal of enjoyment/entertainment from. I feel the same about favorite bands/musicians, I buy up all their albums when I really like them because I enjoy supporting them.

I do NOT enjoy supporting crap games or crap game developers, so I do relate to some of the people complaining in this thread. But for DAO, I'm all in for everything they have in store for us. I read somewhere that Bioware is planning a two-year cycle of supporting the game with DLC, I can only hope that's true... I'm psyched!

But they do need to add some variety to the character creation part of the game. There is so little variety in the character you can create, it's really painful. I'm considering an intentionally gimped build next (maybe I'll go ultra heavy on cunning for a rogue...etc.). Right now the game is too easy on Hard difficulty, although I have a feeling it'll be overly brutal on the hardest setting...

Please Bioware, give us more races to choose and make them unique, and maybe give us some more weapon skill sets to rank up, right now rogues have no choice for melee other than dual wield...

 

[mindcycle]

I'd buy some nice custom armor for dog! C'mon now, who's with me!?

But for DAO, I'm all in for everything they have in store for us. I read somewhere that Bioware is planning a two-year cycle of supporting the game with DLC, I can only hope that's true... I'm psyched!

Well man, if you have a 360 I have some great news for you! For only a dollar a piece you can have your own DA hat or shirt for you 360 avatar. Now if they would just hurry up and get this shit out for GFWL we'd be all set. lol

http://dragonage.bioware.com/addon/

For the record, just trying to introduce some humor to the thread not trying to knock your opinion or anything.