First there's Mass Effect. Yes, it can be entertaining. No, it isn't an RPG. Now Dragon Age, which suffered from either A) a serious lobotomy between Origins and #2, or B) was so rushed through production that they didn't bother making more than a handful of maps.
Rather than dumbing down the RPG for the console market, why not introduce the console market to what a really great RPG is? Take a look at the quality of this game:
1) Inventory system was basically scrapped, with most items given generic names. The Origins system was cluttered, but detailed. Rather than updating that system, they stripped it.
2) Party interactions are arbitrarily limited to houses now. This is not simply inconvenient, but it's an unnecessary step backward for the game. Gifts and such were novel ways to interact with others, and those interactions helped make Dragon Age Origins a standout game.
3) Maps. Good god. In DAO there were hundreds. In Baldur's Gate there were hundreds. All detailed and beautiful. I have an idea for DA2... why not just make 2-3 maps and use them over and over ad nauseum? The only possible excuse for this is rushed development and/or laziness. Period.
4) Character building: If you're going to force us to take one particular character, it had better be interesting. The amount of backstory that is given for Hawke is minimal, and the "hero" of Kirkwall is little more than an errand boy.
5) Quests. Really? Explore Kirkwall for 30 hours? No intrigue (think Baldur's Gate immersion), no illusion that what you're doing couldn't be done by 1000 other people. So many of the quests were poorly detailed by the (also dumbed down) codex system that I didn't really know what I was doing. I just ran the item to the person and got the gold/experience.
This game has some strong points. The menus and leveling system were more streamlined, and would have been awesome had I had them in DAO. The fact that the codex pops up when I get a new entry is nice (and it is far easier to find entries now), but unfortunately it rarely has anything interesting to say. I don't feel involved with the characters at all, as I have to basically take a journey across the map and out of the illusion of the game to have any conversation with them.
I haven't finished yet, but had I known at the outset how badly this would turn out I wouldn't have played at all. If I want a moronic half-RPG, I have lots of options. If I want good story and an immersive experience, I play Bioware. I have purchased every game they made, and I've spent hundreds upon hundreds of hours playing them. Knights of the Old Republic, Baldur's Gate 2, Dragon Age Origins, these are truly epic RPGs. Are those days done for the sake of the console crowd?Is Bioware losing its edge, or just selling out? Dragon Age 2, what have you done?
Since I play BioWare's games mainly for their storylines I thought Dragon Age II was a much better game than Origins. Origins has one of the weakest BioWare stories and I thought it was a bold move making DA2 a low fantasy game with political conflicts. The storyline is much more mature than Origins' save the world plot.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Did Bioware steal the their Dragon Age 2 Qunari from the Inheritance Cycle's Urgal's.?
Now that I played Dragon Age 2 and read the entire Inheritance cycle I can't feel but questioning after the design of the new Qunari. They remind of the Urgal's from Eragon, cause that's how they looked to me when I read. I feel that the regal Urgals remind me of normal Qunari and that the Kull remind me of the Arishok, has anyone else noticed this too? And is this coincidence?Did Bioware steal the their Dragon Age 2 Qunari from the Inheritance Cycle's Urgal's.?
I haven't read any of the Eragon books but after a quick crash course on Urgals I can most definitely see your point as they are both large, horned and intimidating looking. However I think it really is just a coincidence. The Qunari redesign was done to differentiate the appearance of the Kossith from humans and bring them more in line with their darkspawn counterpart the ogre.
Plus the Urgal seem to be more like Tolkien's orc as for the fact that they live in tribal societies and have their culture centered around warfare. Even the Kull seem to resemble the Uruk-hai with the one difference being that the Kull are Urgal whereas the Uruks are half-orcs. The Qunari on the otherhand are a expansive theocracy inspired by what was the real life Ottoman Empire.
But for appearances I can easily see why you might think this. I woudn't get too caught up in it. The physical similarities I would think are just a coincidence and seem to be common fantasy tropes.
I haven't read any of the Eragon books but after a quick crash course on Urgals I can most definitely see your point as they are both large, horned and intimidating looking. However I think it really is just a coincidence. The Qunari redesign was done to differentiate the appearance of the Kossith from humans and bring them more in line with their darkspawn counterpart the ogre.
Plus the Urgal seem to be more like Tolkien's orc as for the fact that they live in tribal societies and have their culture centered around warfare. Even the Kull seem to resemble the Uruk-hai with the one difference being that the Kull are Urgal whereas the Uruks are half-orcs. The Qunari on the otherhand are a expansive theocracy inspired by what was the real life Ottoman Empire.
But for appearances I can easily see why you might think this. I woudn't get too caught up in it. The physical similarities I would think are just a coincidence and seem to be common fantasy tropes.
BIOWARE/EA account confusion help?
I wanted to put my dragon age sign Edition stuff on my xbox live account. So it said go to the bioware social place,I made a new account with a different email as my xbox live (IF i only knew that it matterd)
I put in the code.Then I check my xbox live account and it says that its already connected to my old ea Account ( that i forgot i had.) I would delete my old ea/bioware account but it still has my old me2 stuff on it.
So what I'm really asking is if there is a way to unregister my new DA2 code so i could put it in my old account linked to my xbox, or to maybe combine the two bioware/ea accounts.just as along as I get all my codes on my xbox accountBIOWARE/EA account confusion help?
I'd suggest you contact the BioWare support directly, as I'm sure they should be able to help you somehow. I don't think there's another way to unregister a code from the BioWare Social Network by yourself. Good luck and I hope you'll get your accounts in one place!
I put in the code.Then I check my xbox live account and it says that its already connected to my old ea Account ( that i forgot i had.) I would delete my old ea/bioware account but it still has my old me2 stuff on it.
So what I'm really asking is if there is a way to unregister my new DA2 code so i could put it in my old account linked to my xbox, or to maybe combine the two bioware/ea accounts.just as along as I get all my codes on my xbox accountBIOWARE/EA account confusion help?
I'd suggest you contact the BioWare support directly, as I'm sure they should be able to help you somehow. I don't think there's another way to unregister a code from the BioWare Social Network by yourself. Good luck and I hope you'll get your accounts in one place!
Does SWTOR still have problems with its server queues?
I'm thinking of getting this game as I am a big fan of SWTOR and MMORPG's.
However I've heard complaints that to get into a server, there are sometimes 4 hour waits. Now, somebody told me that this was because people kept joining full servers, but even the low population servers soon became full.
Is this still happening or have bioware sorted it out?
Also, how are the quest bugs, which class do they affect the most?
Any other information regarding problems which SWTOR has would be appreciated.Does SWTOR still have problems with its server queues?
I haven't seen a queue in months, no. Or had quest bugs since a minor problem in the starting area in week 1 that didn't keep me from completing a quest.
For the most part SWTOR is perfectly playable. Even after a few months of playing (got it 3 days after it came out) I only ever had to wait in a queue for my server like once, and it was for a few minutes. That was for a heavy population server. I've yet to see a queue at all in the past month, logging on at various times everyday, Friday and Saturday as well.
I also haven't seen too many quest bugs, An occasional one or two, but they have never kept me from completing a quest. Except for that darn Ilum defend the shipment quest %26gt;%26gt; curse you Bioware (but that's a lvl 50 quest don't worry about it).Does SWTOR still have problems with its server queues?
Everything has been sorted out with the queue times. I get in straight away now and my server is one of the fullest.
You get the occasional bug but that'ss to be expected for aGamee so young, but I've not foundanythingg that's game breaking. The ones I found were minor so you can shrug them off.
No, it does not, at least not my server. So, you can get in pretty much instantly any time.Does SWTOR still have problems with its server queues?
it should no longer be an issue. i have not seen a que since opening week
However I've heard complaints that to get into a server, there are sometimes 4 hour waits. Now, somebody told me that this was because people kept joining full servers, but even the low population servers soon became full.
Is this still happening or have bioware sorted it out?
Also, how are the quest bugs, which class do they affect the most?
Any other information regarding problems which SWTOR has would be appreciated.Does SWTOR still have problems with its server queues?
I haven't seen a queue in months, no. Or had quest bugs since a minor problem in the starting area in week 1 that didn't keep me from completing a quest.
For the most part SWTOR is perfectly playable. Even after a few months of playing (got it 3 days after it came out) I only ever had to wait in a queue for my server like once, and it was for a few minutes. That was for a heavy population server. I've yet to see a queue at all in the past month, logging on at various times everyday, Friday and Saturday as well.
I also haven't seen too many quest bugs, An occasional one or two, but they have never kept me from completing a quest. Except for that darn Ilum defend the shipment quest %26gt;%26gt; curse you Bioware (but that's a lvl 50 quest don't worry about it).Does SWTOR still have problems with its server queues?
Everything has been sorted out with the queue times. I get in straight away now and my server is one of the fullest.
You get the occasional bug but that'ss to be expected for aGamee so young, but I've not foundanythingg that's game breaking. The ones I found were minor so you can shrug them off.
No, it does not, at least not my server. So, you can get in pretty much instantly any time.Does SWTOR still have problems with its server queues?
it should no longer be an issue. i have not seen a que since opening week
Is it safe to let "star wars the old republic" scan my computer in order to sign up for beta testing the game?
This scares me, it is supposedly to see the pc specs for requirements to play the game. Has anyone ever done this? It is by: Bioware and Lucas Arts companies.Is it safe to let "star wars the old republic" scan my computer in order to sign up for beta testing the game?
Yes it's safe it just checks your PC hardware so they can pick you if you're PC is good enough to beta test their game.
I've done it and I'm waiting for beta testing great game coming up!Is it safe to let "star wars the old republic" scan my computer in order to sign up for beta testing the game?
idk i was talking to some people and there said that i shouldnt be letting a second party going into my pc. but if i could see what there were looking at i would let them do it.battlefield parcel delivery
Yes it's safe it just checks your PC hardware so they can pick you if you're PC is good enough to beta test their game.
I've done it and I'm waiting for beta testing great game coming up!Is it safe to let "star wars the old republic" scan my computer in order to sign up for beta testing the game?
idk i was talking to some people and there said that i shouldnt be letting a second party going into my pc. but if i could see what there were looking at i would let them do it.
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How do you get into Mass Effect?
I know this is kind of a weird question, but I'm having trouble getting into it. I loved Dragon Age so I thought this would be perfect for me, but it's difficult to embrace, I don't know where I'd go to get jobs, buy good weapons, I don't even understand where to go to continue the storyline, it's all a bit difficult to comprehend for me. I want to get into it since I love Bioware, but I'm finding it hard. Any thoughts?How do you get into Mass Effect?
It's easier to start with Mass Effect (hereafter known as ME). My friend loved Dragon Age (DA), but couldn't get into ME because of the real time shooting.
The game starts you off on a remote planet. From there, it's very linear. If you're on the citadel, continue reading the quest logs to know where to go next. Get to know the key locations. Visit EVERY transit hub (the transit hubs make travel OH SO MUCH easier). And random wandering does a lot for the lost person. There's also a mini-map in your menu.
When you get back to the citadel, you're supposed to find evidence that Saren was behind the Eden Prime Sabotage. You'll meet the majority of your team there in the Citadel. It's not important to change up who's in your group. If you find one that works (much like DA), then stick with it. I like Garrus for the sniping and Liara for the biotics.
ME is actually less complex than DA (I never actually finished DA), but the citadel is guaranteed the most complicating part about the game. They'll tell you exactly where to go, and you just find a transit terminal to take you there.How do you get into Mass Effect?
Though it is made by the same developer ME is a completely different experience. Probably the only thing the two series have in common are the roleplaying elements. I would suggest looking up a good detailed guide for your class and a game walk through. Once you have some direction it should be easier to get in to it on your own.
It's easier to start with Mass Effect (hereafter known as ME). My friend loved Dragon Age (DA), but couldn't get into ME because of the real time shooting.
The game starts you off on a remote planet. From there, it's very linear. If you're on the citadel, continue reading the quest logs to know where to go next. Get to know the key locations. Visit EVERY transit hub (the transit hubs make travel OH SO MUCH easier). And random wandering does a lot for the lost person. There's also a mini-map in your menu.
When you get back to the citadel, you're supposed to find evidence that Saren was behind the Eden Prime Sabotage. You'll meet the majority of your team there in the Citadel. It's not important to change up who's in your group. If you find one that works (much like DA), then stick with it. I like Garrus for the sniping and Liara for the biotics.
ME is actually less complex than DA (I never actually finished DA), but the citadel is guaranteed the most complicating part about the game. They'll tell you exactly where to go, and you just find a transit terminal to take you there.How do you get into Mass Effect?
Though it is made by the same developer ME is a completely different experience. Probably the only thing the two series have in common are the roleplaying elements. I would suggest looking up a good detailed guide for your class and a game walk through. Once you have some direction it should be easier to get in to it on your own.
Is it true game designers spend the LEAST time PLAYING games?
I know some of the gaming schools are rip offs, but are the job themselves a ripoff? If you are a game programmer/artist do you even have time to play other games? I like games for artistic reasons and was considering be artist but it seems like you don't even have a life!
I know the industry is brutal sometimes but do you EVER get time to play other games than the ones you're working on? I want to work for Bioware but will you ever get a chance to play Battlefield or anything like that?Is it true game designers spend the LEAST time PLAYING games?
Game designers do spend a bit of time on the game but they actually leave the testing to other people they employ. This is because their opion would more than lilley be the game was good just because they had made it meaning their judgment would be without an opposing view and less acurate.
if you would like a job that allows you to play games then i suggest that you apply for a job working as a reporter for a games magazine, that way not only do you get to play your favorite games but you also get the first look at new games and the baility to play moderatlet sized sections of new releases, before they hit the stores so you can write previews about what is coming.Is it true game designers spend the LEAST time PLAYING games?
yes
maybe can play ever now and then.
I know the industry is brutal sometimes but do you EVER get time to play other games than the ones you're working on? I want to work for Bioware but will you ever get a chance to play Battlefield or anything like that?Is it true game designers spend the LEAST time PLAYING games?
Game designers do spend a bit of time on the game but they actually leave the testing to other people they employ. This is because their opion would more than lilley be the game was good just because they had made it meaning their judgment would be without an opposing view and less acurate.
if you would like a job that allows you to play games then i suggest that you apply for a job working as a reporter for a games magazine, that way not only do you get to play your favorite games but you also get the first look at new games and the baility to play moderatlet sized sections of new releases, before they hit the stores so you can write previews about what is coming.Is it true game designers spend the LEAST time PLAYING games?
yes
maybe can play ever now and then.
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