I feel so awful because I'm so behind with games these days. After my subscription to PC Gamer expired, im just like all the other poor un-informed beings here...

It's a new game BioWare is working on. Won't be released for a couple more years, so don't worry, there's very little info on it as yet. We post Dragon Age forum news on the front page regularly, however.

I'd be surprised if Bioware didn't manage to put it out next July. And I'd be just as surprised if it wasn't a solid, robust D&D'er.

Honestly, the marketing engine needs to gear up about next January. Not too much, not too little. As little text as possible, and as many screenshots as they can faithfully muster.

I'd be surprised if Bioware didn't manage to put it out next July. And I'd be just as surprised if it wasn't a solid, robust D&D'er.
heh I would be surprised if it was a D&D, because that was what they didn't want to do and the reason why they build there own world,

Was the reason they wanted to create their own world a financial decision (like was it too expensive to make it a Forgotten Realms game?) or a creative decision, or a combination of both?

Both, I think.

They wanted to no longer be bound to someone (WotC in D&D case) who can have a look on Bioware's decision for their games.
And it seems that they are a bit tired of D&D.

But then, does that mean Dragon Age is going to NOT be based on 3rd Ed. D&D??

Dragon Age was never intended to be D&D based.

Ooooh...that's a blow.

So, what IS it going to be based on? If its not going to be D&D based...I dunno...its got to have a lot of good things about it to make me get it otherwise.

It's going to be based on a brand new ruleset and will take place in a brand new world. Everything created by BioWare.

From the official FAQ:

What ruleset will be used in Dragon Age?

Dragon Age will be using a brand new rule system developed specifically for the PC platform by BioWare. It will be a class-based rule system that allows a player to choose from a wide selection of skills, abilities and spells in the tradition of other fantasy roleplaying games.

What world does Dragon Age take place in? (Back to Top)

Dragon Age is set in a new world developed by BioWare. A large team of writers and artists have been busy detailing the societies, religions, history, races, monsters, and economy of the Dragon Age world. Several new languages are also being developed for Dragon Age by a linguistics expert.

Brand new ruleset and brand new world, sounds alot like Jade Empire. Anyways, RPG's don't have to be in the D&D world and at least this way Bioware has the final say. Sounds like an epic in the making, I just hope it's not too linear, I can't stand that in RPG's.

From the FAQ :

* Epic open ended storyline
* Top down party-based tactical 'combat mode'
* Cinematic 3rd person camera 'exploration mode'
* Full character customization (race, sex, class, abilities, spells, etc)
* Separate singleplayer and multiplayer campaigns
* End-user content creation tools

Sounds good to me... ;)

Originally Posted By: Neeraj the Freak Paladin
Was the reason they wanted to create their own world a financial decision (like was it too expensive to make it a Forgotten Realms game?) or a creative decision, or a combination of both? They just wanted to try something new.

I bet they've got some folks there with some very clear ideas and ambitions about game design. This must be heaven for them.

I also read a post by a Dragon Age developer where he ripped on Morrowind for playing like a spreadsheet. So I guess they'll be walking an interesting balance between "epic open ended" and personal.

I have high hopes! I'm also glad they're making a PC game, rather than something for the Xbox that gets shovelled over.

As long as the NPCs are as engaging as those in BG2, I'll be happy.

It was my understanding that the limits imposed by WotC were becoming a huge hindrance to the creativity at Bioware.

Frankly, I'm excited to see anything under production by Bioware. They're never let me down with their products; the only other division / company that left me as happy as they have was Black Isle. (Rude gesture to Interplay and the people who ran it into the ground.)

Heck, the closest they came to disappointment with me was KotOR2, and that was by Obsidian Entertainment. (And the letdown was the ending. Blah.)

Come to think of it, I'm really tired of licensed products. What's available right now that's innovative and fun? I'd love to step into a world where I don't know every monster and their ability. I'd love to step into one that had unfamiliar occupations and skills rather than those I've dealt with for more than ten years. Star Wars and D&D - is that what we want gaming to be?

I agree with Talonius. It's time for something new! D&D was never designed for the computer anyways and the money-grubbing execs that run it are even ruining it for p&p! Fallout was a breath of fresh (albeit sterilized and recycled) air and I think it's time for another. I'm hoping for a whole new spell system, a weapons system that equalizes the classes at least a little, and I think it's high time for some realistic skills. I haven't been happy with the skills systems in BG, BG2, or ToEE. I actually wouldn't complain if they canibalized the Fallout system, just as long as it isn't Lionheart all over again.

"ust as long as it isn't Lionheart all over again. "

I couldn't agree more :p

I guess there has been no indication of a release date huh? I have looked here and on Bioware and found nothing.

No, no release date yet, and not for some time.

Well it will come after NWN2. Nwn 2 will be an other cash flow on wich they can make more. Dragon age will be a new thing that can go bust if NWN2 is good. that way they can gamble on something else and not go down with the risks.

As for Jade empire, it still hurts. I am not going to but a console for one or two games. It strikes me as odd that it did not come out on pc. can dragon age be a move to the diablo-clone branch of fantasy.

so much speculation as it is, but 2006 will be a crucial year for rpg. it can be put on the map with capitals, or..

2006 will be a crucial year for rpg.Well said, 2006 will hopefully revive PC RPGs, or just end them right there and then. Although I doubt RPGs will ever "die" :D .

I don't see any real chance of RPGs dieing any time soon, not as long as America is filled with unfulfilled dreams of glory and revenge. As long as there are blood-thirsty teens, disgruntled mailmen, and corporate scandles to make sure everyone knows just how much crap the real world is composed of, there will be RPGs as a refuge.