Game News Bioware unveils 'Dragon Age'

triCritical · May 7, 2004

I don't think anyones ever questioned whether Biowares made a good game. MDK2 was good, and so was KotOR, and BG. The problem is that they have yet to make a good CRPG. And no, bloody dialogue and story does not equate to CRPG, hell any game can have these traits. Unfortunately, IMO one of the reason Biowares CRPG's have done well is because they have catered to a more general market of people that may not necessarily play CRPG's all the time. Which might be a good thing, considering that the CRPG market seems to be shrinking faster then Disney's animation studios.

Anyhow I think what people here in general do not like about Bioware games are very polished, but end up playing like second rate CRPG's. Hell as far as I am concerned developing Non-playing characters beyond reason instead of allowing characters to explore different roles through non-linear quest and dialogues is counterproductive in the making of CRPG's. And that is aformentioned dudes policy.

Whipporowill · May 7, 2004

And of course this is news, notice I didn't even particularly slam Bio in the newsbit? Just commenting on that the title seemed a bit uninspired, which I think it is. And Volourn, when not even the people you're defending understand your irony, you should probably reconsider your comedy routine... ho hum.

Shevek · May 7, 2004

While I concede that categorizing a title to be a DnD clone simply because of its name is a bit premature, I think Whip brings up a fair point concerning the naming of the title being an attempt by marketing to identify with a better known property (a fairly common practice, I'd bet). Still, whether or not Bio is sufficiently "spreading its wings" can only be determined after we know more about the title.

undead dolphin hacker · May 7, 2004

Dgaider said:
What? At least these other guys are consistent, Volourn. Shut the hell up.

Ooo, that almost makes me want to reinstall NWN.

Just kidding! :twisted:

Transcendent One · May 7, 2004

Dragons in the title definitely remind of Dungeons&Dragons. But true, they wouldn't necessarily mean this would be a D&D clone.
Ok fine, I took it too far.
Although if this game's setting does end up being yet another D&D clone I wouldn't be surprised.

Gromnir · May 7, 2004

am not gonna get into how skewed the notion of "news" reporting is 'round here... been down that 'road before. however, whip's recent statement, "Just commenting on that the title seemed a bit uninspired, which I think it is." seems like some backpedaling from,

"A fantasy game that markets itself with dragons in the title... well, at least you are trying to hang on to the same basic premise this far, or you would have chosen something that stood out more from D&D, wouldn't you? Not saying that the actual game will have anything in common with said license, but it's a bit clumsy (or cowardly) to not stick your neck out more."

bah!

talk 'bout cowardly.

HA! Good Fun!

Volourn · May 7, 2004

LOL Sometimes it is so easy.

Mr. Gaider, I humbly state I'm very consistent.

Geez. Is Grom the only half intelligent person here? It should have been so obvous to anyone reads my posts and my opinions know full well I was mocking the attitudes here of RPGCodex about BIO.

It's funny the guy I'm accused of 'sucking up to' couldn't see the obvious. That's cool. 'Cause now, I can use him telling me to shut up as prove that Bio and I don't always see eye to eye.

Whip, the comedy routine youa ccuse me of is no comedy routine. It's way over the top as to make it obvious. I mean, Grom figured it out quite eaisly I might add. And, ia gree about the title being somewhat unispired; but it';s a bit too early to crucify it being fantasy (not saying you personally are); but more than few are or those who because go postal everytime BIo is mentioned.

Voss, what do you think? It's tongue in cheek and very (not vaguely) mocking. Heck, I've enjoyed all of the BIO games I've played even the ones I'm not gong hu over (SOU being the main target here); but hey if people want to think otherwise because once every 100 potions I use over the top sarcasm (as to make it obvious I woudl think) that's their business.

Peace out. Or not due to the extreme hostility.

DarkUnderlord · May 7, 2004

Gromnir said:
furthermore, you ever read â€œHour of the Dragon,â€ by Robert E. Howard? was his only conan novel. book gots traditional dragons in it? gots tolkienesque or d&d world?

I dunno. For a computer game to come out and be called "Dragon Age" and to have absolutely nothing to do with said Dragon's or the age from which they come...

I can see all the "where are the Dragon's" jokes coming now.

Shevek · May 7, 2004

I think perhaps people should criticize ideas instead of eachother.

Volourn · May 8, 2004

I think you are too wise for your own good. :D

Whipporowill · May 8, 2004

Sheesh! I wasnt back-pedalling Grommie. What I FIRST said was that it felt somewhat uninspired and when someone brought the D&D analogy up, commenting on that I would've preferred Bio to have shown a little more guts & creativity and named it something else entirely. I have nothing against dragons, really, and haven't personally called it a D&D clone - which I don't think/hope it is, as I wouldn't enjoy it as much as I might otherwise.

Oh, and Volourn... Gaider not understanding you were ironic, was the funny part. I had no reason to believe you would've changed your Bio policies all of a sudden. That would to be weird, even for you... :lol:

Gromnir · May 8, 2004

as we said, "cowardly."

*shrug*

guesses 'bout content of game based on the MAYBE title is silly, stupid and unfair... makes folks look ridiculous.

HA! Good Fun!

p.s. how many pages is devoted to showing sauron in Lord of the Rings books?

Shevek · May 8, 2004

Gromnir:

I would ask that you at least consider being less patronizing and insulting. Frankly, I found your comments here to be more akin to baiting than an attempt at calm, rational dialogue.

Fallen Zen · May 8, 2004

Jora said:
I agree. They (CDproject) should have licensed Troika's TToEE engine.

I would like to make a correction. The Witcher is made on a new version of the Aurora engine and you'll have a chance to judge it yourself in a few days :wink:

Whipporowill · May 8, 2004

This is a forum for discussions Grommie-poo, a place were you are expected to debate, flame and guesstimate. Somtimes people are wrong, sometimes they're not - it's all part of that thing called "TEH INTERNET". Talk about stating the obvious here, but I hope it helps you.

And no, I didn't like the LoTR films that much no. But what has that got to do with anything?

Gromnir · May 8, 2004

sure we is insulting... though we thinks the insults is deserved.

is what codex prides itself on btw... this notion that they give it to folks straight w/o trying to be polite and w/o kissing up... would be mighty disappointed if they couldna' take some of what they deliver... 'specially when they is wrong.

HA! Good Fun!

Psilon · May 8, 2004

Meh, I'll wait until Gamespot spoils the first three quests in its E3 preview before passing judgment on the setting. I'm disappointed that it's fantasy--I want some good scifi RPGs!--but maybe it'll be something different from a straight D&D/Tolkien clone. Look at the difference between Forgotten Realms and Geneforge to see what I'm talking about: nonstandard magic, lots of morally gray areas rather than stark Good and Evil*, and no goddamn elves and orcs.

_________________
* Hell, true non-psychopath Evil would be a great improvement. Insert two random "NWN evil = teh go0d for h1re" and "ToEE evil = blame Atari" jokes here, just for tradition's sake.

Spazmo · May 8, 2004

Volourn, if you wanted people to pick up on your subtle sarcasm, you maybe should have used a few dozen :roll:

s. Might have helped or something.

As for Dragon Age: When I saw this, I posted it and quickly deleted mine when I saw Whippo got there first. In any case, I think that while the name does not bode well, it's only fair to wait until E3 and the details on DA which are to be revealed at that time before we make any predictions. And even if I'm pretty sure it'll be a weak RPG, I did enjoy playing the BG games and KOTOR and a game more like that (i.e., fun with lots of gameplay which I can then complain about for years) and less like NWN (a $90 hole in my pocket) is all good.

And David: You made my day.

Gromnir · May 8, 2004

am not recalling mentioning the lotr movies anywhere. did whip read our post or somebody else's?

HA! Good Fun!

Volourn · May 8, 2004

You call that subtle? It was so over the top it wasn't even close to being subtle. As cute as Mr. Gaider telling me to shut up is; it doesn't change the facts that my statement was so beyond unsubtlety it's funny that people are accusing me of being too sublte. And, Spaz, I thought you hated my use of roll eyes smiley yet you recocmend it now. Please be consistent.

Whipporowill · May 8, 2004

Gromnir said:
am not recalling mentioning the lotr movies anywhere. did whip read our post or somebody else's?

HA! Good Fun!

My mistake, I thought you were referring to him showing up in the movie, as that's the only reason I could think of you commenting on his appearance in the books, as I don't remember an actual physical description there. As for bringing it up in the first place I'm still stumped.

Voss · May 8, 2004

Vol, hey, you never know with mind control. Sheriff could've taken you over or something.

Whip- It all goes back to people being confused about the concept of derivation. Folks often assume that the first time they've seen something its new, and everything after it is derived from that source. Rather than the more obvious that both are derived from early derivatives of even earlier derivatives of... well, this goes on for a while, really.

Plus it gets to be a bit silly for anyone to assume anything about the title at this point. Off the top of my head, from 'fantasy' and 'Dragon Age', it could be...

Fantasy world were dragons rule all
the player is a) a servant of dragons warring against others
b) trying to rid the world of dragons
c) a dragon trying to accumlate wealth & power

Fantasy world, ruled by humans/elves/midget sasquatches, with dragons somewhere in their ancestor/heraldry/title.

Its Warring States period Japan, you've returned from the Dragon Palace under the sea, but your return home is disrupted by the changes the land has undergone since you rescued that turtle and married the Dragon's daughter.

As a sorcerer of great and terrible power, your only chance for immortality lies in transforming yourself into a dragon.

A martial arts society rules the world, with unmatchable power of their Dragon Fist technique.

As a member of the Celesital Bureaucracy, under the Great Dragon God, it is your task to bring order to lands of men.

Dragonriders!

Find the last remaining dragon, to restore their golden-age rule of power, peace and majesty.

So... which do you folks think it is?

Gromnir · May 8, 2004

du said,

"I dunno. For a computer game to come out and be called "Dragon Age" and to have absolutely nothing to do with said Dragon's or the age from which they come...

"I can see all the "where are the Dragon's" jokes coming now."

are clear now?

HA! Good Fun!