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Dragon Age: No DRM, Coming To Your Tabletop

Two pieces of news on this highly anticipated return to fantasy role-playing from BioWare.

SAVING THROW, SUCKA.
SAVING THROW, SUCKA.
We're closing in on the last few months of development time before the release of the next next big thing from BioWare, Dragon Age: Origins. I'm a little more excited for BioWare's next next big thing, Mass Effect 2, because I'm a nerd about space like that. But I know many of you are hanging on every piece of news that hits for Dragon Age--and I have to admit, the game has been looking better and better every time we've seen it--and so I offer you this two-for.

First, there was the charitable announcement on the company's own forums that the PC version of Dragon Age won't come with any sort of draconian copy protection schemes. No SecureROM, no online authentication--just the good old-fashioned disc-in-drive check. Community guy Chris Priestly also makes the inevitable mention of post-release paid DLC (natch), as well as the start of the beta for the game's mod tools. Since they're getting a jump start on getting community content going so far ahead of release, there may be some decent mods showing up on the PC not long after the game actually hits shelves.

Then today, EA furthered BioWare's assertion that they're serious about turning Dragon Age into a bonafide fantasy thang. Following the release of the game's prequel novel, EA went and announced a partnership with Green Ronin Publishing to bring a pen-and-paper RPG to market based on the Dragon Age world. That's, you know, like Dungeons & Dragons. Character sheets? 20-siders? THACO? Am I ringing any bells here?

Are you likely to get down and dirty with some pens and paper on this thing, or will you just stick to the video game version of Dragon Age?

Brad Shoemaker on Google+

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Brad

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Edited By Brad
SAVING THROW, SUCKA.
SAVING THROW, SUCKA.
We're closing in on the last few months of development time before the release of the next next big thing from BioWare, Dragon Age: Origins. I'm a little more excited for BioWare's next next big thing, Mass Effect 2, because I'm a nerd about space like that. But I know many of you are hanging on every piece of news that hits for Dragon Age--and I have to admit, the game has been looking better and better every time we've seen it--and so I offer you this two-for.

First, there was the charitable announcement on the company's own forums that the PC version of Dragon Age won't come with any sort of draconian copy protection schemes. No SecureROM, no online authentication--just the good old-fashioned disc-in-drive check. Community guy Chris Priestly also makes the inevitable mention of post-release paid DLC (natch), as well as the start of the beta for the game's mod tools. Since they're getting a jump start on getting community content going so far ahead of release, there may be some decent mods showing up on the PC not long after the game actually hits shelves.

Then today, EA furthered BioWare's assertion that they're serious about turning Dragon Age into a bonafide fantasy thang. Following the release of the game's prequel novel, EA went and announced a partnership with Green Ronin Publishing to bring a pen-and-paper RPG to market based on the Dragon Age world. That's, you know, like Dungeons & Dragons. Character sheets? 20-siders? THACO? Am I ringing any bells here?

Are you likely to get down and dirty with some pens and paper on this thing, or will you just stick to the video game version of Dragon Age?

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Captain_Fookup

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Edited By Captain_Fookup

Nice.

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chrjz

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Edited By chrjz

I've never liked that pen and paper type stuff; video game only for me, and I'm looking forward to it.

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JJOR64

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Edited By JJOR64

Awesome!  This game is going to kick ass.

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AndrewB

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Edited By AndrewB

I could see doing some P&P stuff with my brother, and his troop of role-playing friends, but he's more into running campaigns in his own campaign setting.

As for the game going sans-DRM, that's always a move I like to see, but I also hope it doesn't bite them in the ass. I'm actually surprised EA is letting them cut the DRM in the first place. As skeptical as I am about Dragon Age actually being good, I'm pretty sure it'll be one of those increasingly rare day 1 purchases for me.

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joshs

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Edited By joshs

THACO hasn't been used in like 2 editions.. still love ya though XD

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Colonel_Fury

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Edited By Colonel_Fury

Pen and paper. Say no more.

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irishjohn

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Edited By irishjohn

But will the pen and paper version have DRM?  Perhaps the video game's lack of DRM is just a clever feint.

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Dimsey

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Edited By Dimsey

I wouldn't mind taking a look at the Pen and Paper game but in all likely hood I'll read through all the rules and crap and NOT find a group here. Ever.
That's pretty much what happened when I looked into playing D&D. Read the rules. And then... Nothing. No biggy.
Can't wait for Dragon Age though.

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Undeadpool

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Edited By Undeadpool

Green Ronin, huh...alright. I guess if you can't do TSR or White-Wolf, Ronin's the way to go. Makes me long for the days when my friends and I actually had time to play tabletop games.

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ArbitraryWater

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Edited By ArbitraryWater

Very little DRM = Good.
P&P = Kind of dumb.

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Cerza

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Edited By Cerza

When Dragon Age: Origins was first unveiled to the public I knew I would buy it, and now that I know it won't have any retarded DRM it makes me want to buy it even more. Two copies please!!!

Oh...uh... and the pen & paper really isn't my thing. I think I'll stick with the video game.

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TheHT

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Edited By TheHT

ehhhhh i'll take the video game, thanks. xD

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Reverseface

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Edited By Reverseface

Dragon age should have miltiplayer, i am very disapointed about this.

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Systech

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Edited By Systech

Dragon Age will be off the rope.

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Gunner

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Edited By Gunner

Just the game, last time i played a table top RPG i felt... dirty after wards.

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dagas

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Edited By dagas

Like Brad I'm more interested in Mass Effect 2, but I bet this will be a great game as well. They sure have been working on it for long. I think it was announced around the same time as Jade Empire on the XBOX, maybe even before that.

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ahoodedfigure

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Edited By ahoodedfigure

Pen and paper, huh?  Makes me even more curious about their system, now.  Assuming it's really, actually different than DnD and not some sort of port.

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FLStyle

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Edited By FLStyle

I would certainly like to give the pen and paper version a try, don't know how many of my friend's would want a go with me. Isn't the whole pen and paper thing online yet?

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unchained

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Edited By unchained

I'm absolutely going to buy the Pen and Paper Dragon Age book. I'm not sure I'll actually play it, but no doubt it will open up the setting and world of Dragon Age (Thedas). NPC's, locations, histories, and it may shed some light on the bestiary of the setting as well. 

And the no-DRM thing? Well, I was a planning to be a first day purchaser for this game long ago, so it doesn't really matter to me. It will be nice to not have SecuRom or an online authentication process though. I'll probably buy two honestly...one for me on PC, and one for my wife on 360 (or PS3).

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Aas

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Edited By Aas

I save against your poison, Zombie-dog!

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lacke

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Edited By lacke

Disc checks? Personally I'd rather take what Mass Effect (non Steam version) has now than a disc check. Anyway, since Mass Effect/Electronic Arts is on Steam, I'm guessing DA will also be released there and I'll just pick up that version.

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Falloutmadness

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Edited By Falloutmadness

Sounds great! I love D&D!

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FlipperDesert

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Edited By FlipperDesert

 So there's going to be a tabletop game based on a video game that's a quasi-sequel of another game based on a tabletop game.

... What?

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grifter00020

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Edited By grifter00020

Real Roleplaying gets done with Real Dice

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CoIin

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Edited By CoIin

YOU CAN NOT FORCE ME TO USE MY IMAGINATION!

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Sandwizzle

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Edited By Sandwizzle

The table top would have to be really good to get me to turn away from the game.

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Media_Master

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Edited By Media_Master

pen and what?