Rake Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 The timeframe really worries me. Like others have said, there's no video of gameplay footage, whatsoever. I remember on the Bioware forums, a bunch of people asked some designer lightning round questions, and he probably answered over 100. 90 out of those 100 went something like: "That isn't locked down yet." "We haven't decided yet." Hello, you're just a few months away from release? Doesn't a game have to be completely locked down around 4-5 months away from release for polish and testing? Seems like they're going to end up cutting a lot, or simply not adding a lot. I wish they would've just taken origins and added things like capes, horses, and different types of weapons, but na, those aren't worth "the resources." I can live with the new combat system though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthParametric Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 I remember on the Bioware forums, a bunch of people asked some designer lightning round questions, and he probably answered over 100. 90 out of those 100 went something like: "That isn't locked down yet." The funny thing is that the devs all preach the same "it's not done yet" thing whenever someone raises concerns with certain aspects they have changed, yet suddenly when the discussion of first day DLC comes up, they trot out the line about content having to be locked far in advance of release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igyman Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Well, in their defense (wait, what?!) questions about DLC revolve around elements of the story that were cut from the main game and adapted into a DLC (even though they claim it wasn't cut, but meant to be DLC anyway). Questions about changes of gameplay mechanics are a different type of content, one that you can change multiple times during development, if something didn't work like you wanted it to in the first iteration. Doesn't mean I like any of it, but being a programmer myself, I kinda understand how the development process works a little better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunkside Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Actually, it seems more like they are saying to PC fans "we are dumbing this down for consoles because we can make more money from them, so screw you". It's actually funny in a sad kind of way because despite all the assurances from Laidlaw and the other devs that they were keeping the PC version of DA2 close to Origins, the more that is revealed the more obvious it is that this is a fallacy. That raises an interesting point. Given that we are now just a few months out from release, why have we seen no official gameplay footage, aside from the very brief scenes in a recent trailer? They've demoed that one opening level at various conventions and such and we've seen leaked footage from it, but devs keep going on and on about how it's a really old build and not reflective of the game. So why not show us the freaking game then? Really doesn't make much sense to me. Ye, but they are trying to make money, so its pretty understandable that they are making it for the consoles. But i still wouldnt judge it too harshly yet, if it sucks in my opinion im sure all of you will be reading my hateful forum posts Definetely an interesting point, but there could be a lot of different explanations on why they haven´t shown us gameplay. Dont you think they go through forums like this at Bioware? They know that we think the graphics look ****ty but they dont give us anything, which could mean, for example, that they aren´t ready yet. I think that the finalizing of graphics is the last thing game makers do. Or it could mean that it looks like crap and they just try to sell it to the ignorant with the name "Dragon Age". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthParametric Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Yes, I'm aware that they are a business and they exist to make money. Doubly so since selling themselves to EA, a public company with shareholders to appease. That doesn't mean I have to like it. My gripe is that I (and all those in my demographic) have apparently been discarded for greener pastures, as it were. I understand the reasoning behind it, but again it's not something calculated to bring me joy. The whole "it's not finalised yet" thing doesn't hold a lot of water at this stage in development. They'll be very close to (if not already at) content lockdown in order to submit it to Sony and Microsoft for approval and then off to manufacture. You don't start making major changes at this juncture. They'd be deep in final internal QA right about now I would imagine. And in any event the "new art direction" was apparently one of the first things they did, not something that came later. Not surprising given that the engine and associated tools were already in place, so primarily what was needed was the new art assets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunkside Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Yes, i understand that those "not locked yet" answers on their own page are a load of crap, but the visuals could definetely still be worked on. And I dont like the dumbing down it any more than you do, but in my opinion DA:O already was pretty much of a watered down CRPG wannabe, with a ridiculous difficulty level (I played through on version 1,00, heard it has become much easier with the patches though) and too few ways to customise your character. Hell, i wanted a new NWN with seven million classes that you can combine together in any way you want to, with all kinds of different weapons you can specialise in, and especially i was looking forward to the "low fantasy" they were talking about (I figured it would mean for example that the game doesnt have a classic mage class). I never wanted a WOW turned into a single player game... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ctrl Alt Del Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 ridiculous difficulty level You found it easy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabretooth Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 ...he found it difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e-varmint Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 I'm going to take the same approach I did with the first game: Wait a year until the patches, mods, and good DLC are out. I sure hope that there's a toolset. Origins is a BLAST with some simple modifications! I just started Awakening this week. Of course, I just HAD to start on Nightmare. And it is. It'll keep me busy for a while, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunkside Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 You found it easy? The origins part was freaking difficult, awakening was easy. But as i said, the fact that i played through on the 1,00 version could have made it even harder than it was supposed to be. Especially before i reached level 10 i died so much its wonder that i could bear with it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Payne Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Just noticed some great looking screenies on xbox live. Doesn't look like i'll regret ordering this game. Edit: Just went to the games official site and noticed that the bonus playable character in the signature edition is called 'Sebastian Vael, the Exiled Prince'. And there are even more cool screenshots there, than on xbox live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Char Ell Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 So the 2011 January 11 deadline for the Signature Edition of Dragon Age 2 has come and gone. BioWare however, apparently wasn't finished with the pre-order madness and has now announced that those who already pre-ordered the game or who pre-order the game before March 8 will get the Fadeshear Sword and the Lion of Orlais Shield. [align=center][/align] If you thought that was all then you were mistaken. Continuing the trend established with DA:O and ME 2 to help combat/compensate for used game sales, DA 2 will also have "day one" DLC available to new purchasers in a package called The Black Emporium which features A fighting Mabari War Hound The Mirror of Transformation Access to exclusive Magic and Crafting Stores More info about these items is available here. A little under 2 months until DA 2's scheduled release and the DA 2 marketing train is chugging full steam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthParametric Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Well at least the shield appears to actually use a custom model instead of just being a retint of an existing item, like most of bonus items in DA1. Not that it means much for owners of the PC version in the event that either Bioware releases a toolset DA2 compatibility update or the modding community hacks something together themselves, in which case they will be awash in a sea of similar (and better) items available for free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Payne Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 The Fadeshear Sword looks pretty sweet. Glad i'm getting it. I must be one of the minority that *like* this stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabretooth Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Cool stuff is nice and all, but I never got the logic behind letting players get it as soon as they start the game. It's practically cheating when you have this super-overpowered item/weapon that you can crush enemies through in the first quarter of the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Payne Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I suspect that super-overpowered items are intended for those that play on the highest difficulty. I could be wrong though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthParametric Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 That's their reward for buying it early (i.e. buying it new, not secondhand). It has to be some throwaway thing that doesn't take much in the way of dev resources to produce, and items are pretty easy and cheap in that regard. As far as overpowered stuff goes, often that sort of thing is level restricted in some manner. But either way, what's the big deal? It's a single player game - let people play it how they want. If that includes "cheating", what does it matter to you? Nobody is forcing you to use such items yourself, and it's not multiplayer so there is no effect on you if others use them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabretooth Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 But either way, what's the big deal? It's a single player game - let people play it how they want. If that includes "cheating", what does it matter to you? Nobody is forcing you to use such items yourself, and it's not multiplayer so there is no effect on you if others use them. Well I think I'll hold up till they announce the "Instant Victory" DLC that lets you instantly win the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quanon Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Well I think I'll hold up till they announce the "Instant Victory" DLC that lets you instantly win the game. I"ll wait for the Nude DLC, which shows the main charater has 3 nipples, YES, 3!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunkside Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I"ll wait for the Nude DLC, which shows the main charater has 3 nipples, YES, 3!!! I would download that, even if it cost 1200 xbox **** points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ztalker Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Signature Edition is on it's way for the Z peeps. Looks so incredible this one... No I have to find time to create a 'perfect' playthrough once more. My best save was destroyed when Vista decided to commit suiicide. Windows 7 is running smoothly on the exact same machine though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Payne Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Found some info about the three new DLCs on the site i usually order my games from. FADESHEAR The core of this blade is old. As old as the first smiths who sought a way to battle the nightmares from the land beyond. It has fought the demonic hosts in countless battles. Sometimes it has been held high in triumphant victory. Other times, it has lain broken besides its dying owner. But after every defeat it has always been reclaimed, reforged, and made stronger. Fadeshear has passed through many hands before yours. Now it is your turn to make the demons of the Fade pay for crossing the Veil into the waking world. • Improves with each level-up • additional damage vs. demons and undead THE LION OF ORLAIS At the height of the Summer War all of Orlais was embroiled in fierce battles. Over the course of the war dozens of contenders for the Imperial Throne emerged – most long forgotten except as footnotes in scholarly tomes. But everyone remembers the gallant young lord Emile Deveraux, 'The Golden Prince'. Thought outnumbered at every turn, he racked victory upon victory culminating in the Seventh Battle of Roses. While wearing this shield he broke through his uncle’s vanguard to win the day. He never knew the taste of defeat, instead meeting his end at the hands of a jealous lover in the dead of night. • 2 rune slots • Adds to health • Adds to % XP gain BLACK EMPORIUM: Nestled deep under Kirkwall, you'll find a market with a curious collection of items, some for sale, some for free, and ranging from the mundane to the mysterious! One artifact can even transform your very body, face, hair, eyes—all new! We've even granted you your very own mabari war hound to call to your side with a whistle—a boon in battle and a beloved pet at home. Visit the Black Emporium today, and you’ll be the envy of adventurers everywhere. Your invitation awaits! Features: • A magic item store that has some of the best equipment you’ll find in the game. It’s restocked with better items as you progress through the story. • A loyal mabari hound that fights at your side in battle. • The 'Mirror of Transformation'. Gaze into it and you can change your very appearance. Hair, eyes, tattoos, and more can be changed with the click of a button. • A crafting store which sells powerful unique recipes. • Explore the Black Emporium and uncover its strange secrets and lore. Be sure to see its strange proprietor. It should prove most… memorable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mav Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 This is getting retarded, sure those are just items/crap, but if you're a game developer and you're already working on DLC, your game damn well better already be on the ****ing store shelf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthParametric Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Ugh, the last thing I want to do is defend DLC (which I despise), but to be fair it's very likely that there would be dev team members available to work on that sort of stuff before the main game went gold, as their tasks on that would have already been completed. I think with DA1 they had a secondary team that was working on DLC and Awakening pretty much before DA1 was released (which was probably at least half the reason why all of it was substandard compared to Origins). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JediAthos Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Since I know how much we love DLC....here's some more for DA 2 Isaac Clarke has already tackled the horrors of space, now he's set to travel to the more mystical realm of BioWare's Dragon Age II. He's been written into the lore of the game as Ser Isaac of Clarke, and players who buy EA's Dead Space 2 before March 31 will be able to unlock a special set of armor modeled after Isaac in Dragon Age II with a special code. Above is a picture of said armor, which isn't just for looks. In fact, it's pretty powerful gear, and EA has even released some info on the in-game perks and buffs it will grant your character. Ser Isaac of Clarke’s Armor includes: Isaac’s Armor o Heavy Armor o Contains a rune slot o Increases armor o Requires high dexterity and cunning Isaac’s Boots o Increases armor o Requires high dexterity and cunning Isaac’s Gauntlets o Increases armor o Requires high dexterity and cunning Isaac’s Helm o Contains a rune slot o Increases armor o Critical damage factor o Requires high dexterity and cunning For more info on this special offer, head over to the Dragon Age II add-on website. source: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/01/20/dragon-dead-space-video.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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