Dragon Age 3: Inquisition

[endtherapture]

Hey everyone,

We are going to do things a little differently today. Some of you may not know who I am so to start out, I'm going to tell you a little bit about myself.

I joined BioWare in May of 1997 making this year my 15th year with the Company (So, old?). I am a programmer by training and implemented the AI, scripting, and combat systems in Baldur's Gate. After that, I moved into a lead programmer role on Tales of the Sword Coast, BG2, and Throne of Bhaal. I kept my hands dirty during this time; you have me to blame for the wild mage.

After the Baldur's Gate series, I was the lead programmer on Jade Empire, though I made a brief detour to implement the first version of the DM client in Neverwinter Nights.

Then through a weird series of un-relatable stories, I ended up on BioWare's handheld title Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. I started out as Lead Programmer and finished in charge of the project. Along the way I managed to write a scripting language somehow WORSE than the one in BG, yet at the same time coded a stats system that I am VERY proud of. Fundamentally, the core achievement was that you could not die after you had already; it's surprising how hard that can be to ensure, sometimes.

Finally I moved over to the Dragon Age franchise. I have been the Executive Producer since just before Dragon Age: Origins shipped.

I am part of an active D&D campaign, love collecting pen and paper stuff and like walks on the beach.

Actually I don't like walks on the beach, too smooshy.

Okay, enough about me, why have I called you all here today?

I am pleased to confirm that we are, in fact, working on the next Dragon Age game. Not a big surprise to most of you, I know. We have been working on it in some way for about two years now with the bulk of our efforts ramping up about 18 months ago.

Part of that effort has involved you, our fans, and the feedback you've provided for Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age II, and their DLC. We've visited message boards, read reviews, and we've gone to events to have direct face to face conversations with some of our most passionate fans. We've been listening, and we will continue to listen.

Recently, I said that we didn't want to talk about Dragon Age III unless we had something to show. I'm trying to stick to that plan and won't be revealing much today. That said, a lot of information and rumors have surfaced recently and we don't want to hide from them. There are a BUNCH of things that I really want to share with you but I want to do this right, and doing it right requires some more time.

So here's what I can confirm for now:

The next game will be called Dragon Age III: Inquisition.
We won't be talking about the story of the game today. Though you can make some guesses from the title.
This game is being made by a lot of the same team that has been working on Dragon Age since Dragon Age: Origins. It's composed of both experienced BioWare veterans and talented new developers.
We are working on a new engine which we believe will allow us to deliver a more expansive world, better visuals, more reactivity to player choices, and more customization. At PAX East, we talked about armor and followers? Yeah, that kind of customization. We've started with Frostbite 2 from DICE as a foundation to accomplish this.

There's much more to talk about, of course, but it will have to wait until it's ready for the prime time.

We are going to be as open as we can. We will continue to have a dialogue with you and answer what questions we can. Keep providing us with your feedback. I'm excited about what we are working on and I hope that you will be too. I know this is going to be hard to believe, but it is just as hard for me not to tell you stuff as it is for you to wait.

With thanks for your enthusiasm, and your patience,

Mark

So basically Dragon Age 3, on Frostbite 2 engine. That's about it.

I don't like the name so far.

Thoughts and speculation?

 

[mParadox]

Frostbite 2? Seriously? Whoa. If that's the case then the game will be visually amazing. @.@

I liked Dragon Age 2. Unhealthily so. I like Origins too. We can only wait and see if it'll be like Mass Effect 3. Or will they live up to their promise of customization and make us a real pimp leader of the group. >.>

 

[endtherapture]

Hopefully they'll make effort on the game rather than just distracting us with shiny graphics.

 

[CAPTCHA]

Seems to be playing the "Spritual Sequel to Baulder's Gate" card again.

 

[Ascarus]

so help me god this game better be more Origins than DA2 or i will fucking lose it.

DA2 was such a disappointment is every way imaginable. pandering to the lowest common denominator could drag this series into the dust bins of mediocrity. which would be so sad given how excellent Origins was.

 

[Wayneguard]

Sweet jesus more dragon age can't wait.

 

[Saviordd1]

Seems to be playing the "Spritual Sequel to Baulder's Gate" card again.

Fool me once Bioware...

Meanwhile, a real spiritual successor to the BG/IWD/PST games just launched their kickstarter.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/obsidian/project-eternity

They can keep their shiny graphics and Dragon Turds.

Should've guessed you would show up.

OT: Cautiously optimistic, DA2 was okay and ME3's ending was a stab in the back; I'll give Bioware the benefit of the doubt but its 3 strikes your out...

 

[aguspal]

I dont even know what to think...


Good for Dragon Age fans. I should hide in my personal bunker when it comes out thougt. Everyone will be talking about freaking Dragon Age, and it just happens I hate it so fucking much, I should really prepare for that moment, I cant just ignore something if everyone is talking about X subject so much...

Or maybe... just MAYBE... this game could actually be a good one. Only time will tell. I highyl doubt it, thougt.

 

[Shadows Risen]

So DA3's gonna look brilliant if it's on Frostbite 2.0, now we just need to see what the actual game plays like before I decide to get it.

 

[Dandark]

I am worried about the fact that it's on the Frostbite 2.0 engine as that means it has good graphics right?

That means it will be really expensive, which means EA will probably throw in a bunch of **** features and DLC to milk it as much as they can..........

I can't wait for the in-game advertisements.

Inquisitor: You must join us in our struggle for JUSTICE!!!

Important faction: Im sorry, we want to but we were ATTACKED!!

Inquisitor: By the Maker!

Important faction: We need funds to join you, can you provide us with what we need?

Inquisitor: Of course, I just killed over 8000 enemies in that hallway one at a time in wave based combat to get here, I HAS ALL TEH GOLD!!1!1!

Important faction: Oh no, we can't use that peasant money, we need a special kind of currency.
*Day 1 DLC edition 5 costs 1200 Microsoft points, buy now for countless hours(1) of enjoyment or get the whole set for the small price of triple the games original value, but remember there is more to come.*

 

[RubyT]

Ooh, me likey. Finally an RPG that uses state of the art technology. Now while I didn't hate DA2, I'd definitely want DA3 to be more like Origins and not waste all those pretty visuals on one setting.

 

[Ed130 The Vanguard]

Seems to be playing the "Spritual Sequel to Baulder's Gate" card again.

Fool me once Bioware...

Meanwhile, a real spiritual successor to the BG/IWD/PST games just launched their kickstarter.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/obsidian/project-eternity

They can keep their shiny graphics and Dragon Turds.

I would rather have a buggy game with an engaging storyline than a pretty game with a poor storyline.

 

[ms_sunlight]

On topic: Bioware has pretty much lost all their credibility with me. With the fiascos over DA2, ME3 (especially ME3), and the utter failure that was SWTOR I'm just not going to give them the benefit of the doubt anymore. The Bioware label may as well read "treat with skepticism".

You know a lot of people like all of those games, right? Maybe it just means they're not your cup of tea.

Personally I'm a SWTOR subscriber. I feel it has a lot of fun content, especially as you can't see all of the story it has to tell with even one or even 2 playthroughs. My server has a great community and I'm enjoying both ops (i.e. raiding) and PVP. It can't legitimately be called an utter failure when a lot of people are having fun.

 

[Legion]

Dragon Age 2 still had a lot of promise despite some of it's failures, so here's to being cautiously optimistic.

I shan't buy into any of their PR or advertising crap this time though.

 

[Padwolf]

I'm just going to try to be optimistic about it. I loved Dragon Age 2, I know it had it's flaws but it had some great ideas in it. It sounds really fantastic though.

 

[krazykidd]

so help me god this game better be more Origins than DA2 or i will fucking lose it.

DA2 was such a disappointment is every way imaginable. pandering to the lowest common denominator could drag this series into the dust bins of mediocrity. which would be so sad given how excellent Origins was.

This this so much this . It won't be cupcakes this time , it will be heads!

...Doll heads ... You will never be able to look at dolls the same again!

 

[Whitbane]

I wonder what the Day One DLC will be...

In all seriousness, after the crapfest that was DA2, I'm waiting to see some fan reviews and Let's Play series of the game to determine if it's worth picking up. DA2 left a really sour taste in every orifice (Dat ending and genderless dialogue with only he/she traded in) and it'll take a miracle to put the franchise on good terms with me.

The original Dragon Age was pretty alright, though. Certainly had some epic scenes.

 

[JnSchder]

I'm going to give BioWare one more chance to redeem themselves with Dragon Age 3. If they repeat the same mistakes they've made with Dragon Age 2, then all hope is lost for BioWare and EA will eventually close it down like they did with Westwood and Pandemic.

 

[The_Lost_King]

Please tell me that all you are keeping from DA2 is the combat system(minus the waves, those sucked) and the voiced character. Scrap EVERYTHING ELSE. Seriosly DA2 was a decent game but you guys aren't decent you are great. I loved DA:O and hope that inquisition is just as good or maybe even better. just remember this is Dragon age not Mass Effect.

 

[Zetsubou-Sama]

I found the templars/mages conflict to be the weakest and the one that tried the most to force the whole morally grey card in DA:O II also found The Fade a snooze-fest after the first playthrough.

DA2 focused on mages/templars once again, while commiting a whole bunch of storytelling no-nos and giving a third act that diminished an already mediocre story and decisions. It also has barely any connection or relevance with DA:O storyline or even world.

DA3: Will again focus on mages vs templars something that I'm sick of dealing with, as well as apparently having little connection with both previous games.

Where are the dragons, darkspawn, grey wardens (as an institution, I could care less about playing one again or doing the whole defeat the blight thing), the dalish elves or even dwarfs. There was such a huge lore potential in DA:O's world but with every game I feel this is becoming Mage's Age: The Templars Are Butthurt.

The conflict isn't anything awe-inspiring. Templars are dicks because they treat mages like scum and persecute and control their lives, mages are dicks because they always go into blood magic to free themselves or just to dick around giving the good oppressed mages a bad image. Oh yay let's make two and a half games revolving around this, while disregarding your actions and decisions from game to game.