JOIN US IN THE DEEP ROADS @ Dragon Age Journeys
Growing up in the days before the ubiquity of broadband internet, I can remember how excited I was each month to receive my copies of Next Gen, PC Gamer, EGM and other gaming magazines. I poured over each tome feverishly. I was so devoted to videogames that I’d read strategy guides for games I didn’t own and never planned on purchasing. I’ve often cited PC Gamer’s famous Gaming Gods issue as the moment I realized that I could actually fill my dreams of making videogames for a living. I still have this issue today and even got Richard Garriott to sign the front cover.
Before we first got a 26k modem in the house, I could never imagine speaking with one of the makers before a game came out. Nor could I imagine that such a conversation would have the ability to affect what got put in the final game. Now, thanks to Twitter, Facebook, Forums, etc. it is routine to have those sorts of conversations with media creators of all types. Thanks to the freshly launched Bioware Social Network I’ve been doing some Q&A with the Bioware faithful over the past week. I’ve been getting questions about features I didn’t anticipate, and with what little time we’ve had left we’ve tried to alter the game to accommodate your wishes. I thought I’d repost some of my favorite questions here and also treat you to some screens of the monster’s you’ll meet in the future chapters of Dragon Age Journeys.
From Servant of Nature:
Q: “Is it true you can get in-game items for playing Dragon Age Journeys?”
A: This is one of the things I am most excited about, and I’m pretty sure that you will be too. By completing certain accomplishments in Journeys, you can unlock 3 items for use when you purchase a copy of Dragon Age: Origins for the PC, Xbox 360 or PS3. By playing DAJ while signed in with your EA account, these items will automatically be added to your inventory in DA:O when you sign in with that same account. These entitlements work across all three platforms.
Q: “Are you aware how awesome you and your team are?”
A: *blushes* Thank you so much for the complement. We’ve been very lucky to work with a ridiculously talented crew on DAJ. Dan Stradwick, Adam Phillips and Andrew Sega are great indie game talents and working with them has been an incredible experience for the EA 2D team. We’re very happy with the job Marcelo Poppi has done of taking Dan’s story and fleshing out the characters and dialog. These are the people who deserve all the credit for DAJ. For those of us on the EA 2D side, it is not our job to be awesome, but to work with talented developers like these to help them reach their full awesomeness potential.
Darkspawn Await
From willtraverse:
Q: “Do we create our own characters, or recruit them through the story? If it’s the latter, how many different characters are there to recruit?”
A: You do both. Just like in Origins, you begin your adventure by creating a character, choosing between 3 races and 3 character classes. As the story progresses you will also recruit up to 6 companion characters. You can bring 2 companion characters with you as you fight the darkspawn in the Deep Roads. 3 of these companion characters can be recruited in Chapter 1.
Q: “Do the characters from chapter 1 carry over, or will future chapters feature a new cast?”
A: By saving your game while signed into your EA account, you’ll be able to play with your character across all 3 chapters.
From Triggerwolves:
Q: “Since there is a lot of lore to be had, is there a codex in the game?”
A: There is a codex in the game, but right now it serves mostly as a repository for help information. We may be able to fit more lore into the game before launch, depending on how vigorously I whip my minions as they slave away to bring you this game. But remember, if Journeys is the appetizer, then we don’t want to ruin the feast of Origins by giving too much away.
Q: “What is your opinion on the difficulty of the battles to be encountered?”
A: Having experienced the level design and balancing process on a number of games, I can tell you that developers always run into the same problem on the when finishing a game. When you look at a game and play it day in and day out for weeks on end, the concept of difficulty flies out the window. The closer you get to your game, the further you get from a first time user’s experience. The more you play the same encounters over and over to make sure they are perfect, the less objective you become. Given that, we strive to make the game challenging but not punishing, and it is our opinion that we have met that goal. The nice thing about being a flash game is that we are able to track players’ progress and if anything is too easy, too confusing or too maddeningly hard, we’ll actually be able to make dynamic fixes to the game and improve your experience with it. It’s one of the great luxuries of working in flash and being dedicated to listening to our audience.
From JonKenden:
Q: “Are there specializations and how are they implemented in the game?”
A: The first chapter of Journeys has 3 companion characters that can join your party, each with a specialization. 3 more companion characters, each with their own specialization, will be available in future chapters.
POSTCRIPT: Just so you know, this isn’t where the DAJ team’s discussion with you ends. In our mind, this is only the beginning. Here at EA 2D it is our mission to listen to our fans with both ears. As creators, we are here to serve you. We will listen to your feedback and incorporate it not only into The Deep Roads, but all future Journeys content including the next two chapters. So keep the postings, tweets, emails and emoticon laden squeals of delight coming, because hearing from our fans is what we live for.
October 21, 2009 at 4:32 pm |
very nice addition. looking so much forward playing the game.
October 21, 2009 at 4:43 pm |
[...] here to jump to the full article. Share this on FacebookTweet This!Subscribe to the comments for this [...]
October 21, 2009 at 5:13 pm |
Hm, I enjoyed reading about this a lot more than I thought I would. The 2D flash side of the DA universe had never really grabbed my attention, but your enthusiasm and excitement is infectious, good work
As for this:
“I was so devoted to videogames that I’d read strategy guides for games I didn’t own and never planned on purchasing.”
I have to admit to doing the very same thing. Ahh good memories…
October 21, 2009 at 5:32 pm |
When will this game be ready?
October 21, 2009 at 6:55 pm |
Great to know! Who wrote this post, btw?
October 21, 2009 at 6:59 pm |
wondering also but i guess it was Ethan Levy
October 22, 2009 at 7:52 am |
[...] Not too long ago we learned about Dragon Age: Journeys, the flash-based 2D title set within the realm of BioWare’s upcoming epic dark fantasy RPG. While the game has sounded pretty cool from the get go, the one question on everybody’s mind was, “Alright, when will we get to play it?”. Well, how about TODAY. Yep, beginning at 12 noon PST on October 22 (today…), you’ll be able to access the free-to-play browser based tactical RPG and begin your journey on the Deep Roads. Furthermore, it’s been revealed that playing the game while logged into your EA account will actually get in-game items in the PC, PS3, Xbox 360 version of the game. From BioWare’s developer’s blog: [...]
October 22, 2009 at 8:07 am |
[...] full, three-dimensional version of Dragon Age, the answer to your query is simply: You. A short Q&A on the Dragon Age: Journeys developers' blog cultivated an enticing bit of info about the browser adventure: if you play through it while logged [...]
October 22, 2009 at 8:08 am |
[...] full, three-dimensional version of Dragon Age, the answer to your query is simply: You. A short Q&A on the Dragon Age: Journeys developers' blog cultivated an enticing bit of info about the browser adventure: if you play through it while logged [...]
October 22, 2009 at 8:08 am |
[...] full, three-dimensional version of Dragon Age, the answer to your query is simply: You. A short Q&A on the Dragon Age: Journeys developers' blog cultivated an enticing bit of info about the browser adventure: if you play through it while logged [...]
October 22, 2009 at 8:11 am |
[...] 3, and Xbox 360. That’s right, all three platforms! Here’s a juicy tidbit from BioWare’s blog: By completing certain accomplishments in Journeys, you can unlock 3 items for use when you [...]
October 22, 2009 at 8:13 am |
A very entertaining read. Sounds like you really have a passion for your work, and that warms the heart, considering the countless hours that go into making games. I commend you and your team for your direct approach to communication with your fans. I would also like to know who wrote this blog entry, and what is your job on the project.
October 22, 2009 at 8:14 am |
[...] full, three-dimensional version of Dragon Age, the answer to your query is simply: You. A short Q&A on the Dragon Age: Journeys developers' blog cultivated an enticing bit of info about the browser adventure: if you play through it while logged [...]
October 22, 2009 at 8:14 am |
[...] full, three-dimensional version of Dragon Age, the answer to your query is simply: You. A short Q&A on the Dragon Age: Journeys developers' blog cultivated an enticing bit of info about the browser adventure: if you play through it while logged [...]
October 22, 2009 at 8:44 am |
[...] full, three-dimensional version of Dragon Age, the answer to your query is simply: You. A short Q&A on the Dragon Age: Journeys developers' blog cultivated an enticing bit of info about the browser adventure: if you play through it while logged [...]
October 22, 2009 at 9:21 am |
[...] short Q&A on the Dragon Age: Journeys developers’ blog cultivated an enticing bit of info about the browser adventure: if you play through it while logged [...]
October 22, 2009 at 9:25 am |
How replayable will Journeys be? Is it the same set of encounters each game or is it more random? Are there different story arcs to follow? Or more linear? And most importantly…when is it coming out??? Thanks!
October 22, 2009 at 9:41 am |
[...] their EA Account can earn 3 items that’ll transfer to Dragon Age: Origins, according to this Journeys blog post: Q: “Is it true you can get in-game items for playing Dragon Age [...]
October 22, 2009 at 10:59 am |
[...] short Q&A on the Dragon Age: Journeys developers’ blog cultivated an enticing bit of info about the browser adventure: if you play through it while logged [...]
October 22, 2009 at 12:07 pm |
I am so hyped for Dragon Age: Origins! I’ve been checking the twitters and the blogs several times a day waiting for DAJ. Like many others, I’ve been playing Baldurs Gate II – hoping to satiate my Dragon Age hunger!
Thank you so much Bioware, EA2D, for bringing your fans quality entertainment!
Oh, and a salute to Black Isle Studios as well!
October 22, 2009 at 12:15 pm |
[...] to a Q&A in the Dragon Age Journeys developer’s blog, “By completing certain accomplishments in Journeys, you can unlock 3 [...]
October 22, 2009 at 12:34 pm |
I bet many people are on the DAJ homepage, pressing the “reload” button zealously right now. I know I am!
Go Bioware! Go EA2D!
October 22, 2009 at 2:45 pm |
[...] short Q&A on the Dragon Age: Journeys developers’ blog cultivated an enticing bit of info about the browser adventure: if you play through it while logged [...]
October 22, 2009 at 2:46 pm |
[...] to a Q&A in the Dragon Age Journeys developer’s blog, “By completing certain accomplishments in Journeys, you can unlock 3 [...]
October 22, 2009 at 3:02 pm |
[...] short Q&A on the Dragon Age: Journeys developers’ blog cultivated an enticing bit of info about the browser adventure: if you play through it while logged [...]
October 22, 2009 at 3:19 pm |
[...] to a Q&A in the Dragon Age Journeys developer’s blog, “By completing certain accomplishments in Journeys, you can unlock 3 [...]
October 22, 2009 at 3:48 pm |
[...] to a Q&A in the Dragon Age Journeys developer’s blog, “By completing certain accomplishments in Journeys, you can unlock 3 [...]
October 22, 2009 at 4:01 pm |
[...] to a Q&A in the Dragon Age Journeys developer’s blog, “By completing certain accomplishments in Journeys, [...]
October 22, 2009 at 4:06 pm |
[...] full, three-dimensional version of Dragon Age, the answer to your query is simply: You. A short Q&A on the Dragon Age: Journeys developers’ blog cultivated an enticing bit of info about the browser adventure: if you play through it while logged [...]
October 22, 2009 at 6:30 pm |
[...] to a Q&A in the Dragon Age Journeys developer’s blog, “By completing certain accomplishments in Journeys, you can unlock 3 [...]
October 22, 2009 at 6:40 pm |
[...] to a Q&A in the Dragon Age Journeys developer’s blog, “By completing certain accomplishments in Journeys, you can unlock 3 [...]
October 24, 2009 at 12:29 pm |
[...] to a Q&A in the Dragon Age Journeys developer’s blog, “By completing sure accomplishments in Journeys, you can clear 3 [...]
October 24, 2009 at 10:33 pm |
[...] LISTENING WITH BOTH EARS « BioWare Blog [...]
October 24, 2009 at 10:36 pm |
[...] short Q&A on the Dragon Age: Journeys developers’ blog artistic an interesting bit of info about the browser adventure: if you fool around by it whilst [...]
October 26, 2009 at 12:35 am |
By playing DAJ while signed in with your EA account, these items will automatically be added to your inventory in DA:O when you sign in with that same account.
I was very happy to hear that online activation was not going to be part of the copy protection mechanism used on the PC version of DA:O. That said, this comment about “being signed in to your EA account” while playing DA:O has me concerned. Will this act of “signing on” while launching/playing DA:O in any way tie/attach that PC installation/serial number of DA:O to my unique identity (my unique EA account)?
October 26, 2009 at 8:51 am |
[...] short Q&A on the Dragon Age: Journeys developers’ blog cultivated an enticing bit of info about [...]
October 26, 2009 at 9:15 am |
No bashing intended, I am enjoying the game a lot, but registering an account just doesn’t work. I can’t see any boxes to enter my DOB, select my country or checkboxes to tick for the newsletter, and when I hit “Register” it doesn’t return from “Please wait”. Using Firefox 3.5.2 on Linux, Adblock disabled.
November 14, 2009 at 4:51 am |
When will chapter two be out? I beat chapter one a long time ago and I want to play more
