In this age of quick-hit downloadable content, proper "old-school" expansion packs have become something of a rarity. So when EA and BioWare officially announced an upcoming add-on for Dragon Age: Origins this morning, I sort of immediately assumed it was yet another piece of DLC for the game. But this new expansion, known as Awakening, will actually hit as a traditional, full-on expansion--on a disc at retail stores or digitally, if that's your thing. It's currently scheduled to become available on March 16 and will retail for $39.99 on PS3, 360, and PC.

The expansion will add a higher level cap, five new party members, additional spells and abilities, and the ability to re-spec your character, which is something that required you to pull down the console or edit your save files previously. The new quest will allow you to bring in existing characters or start a new one as you attempt to rebuild the order of Grey Wardens. Here are the relevant bits of the announcement for more details on the story:

Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening, BioWare’s next thread in the Dragon Age: Origins tapestry, occurs following the events of Dragon Age: Origins and puts players into the role of a Grey Warden Commander entrusted with rebuilding the order of Grey Wardens. In addition to rebuilding the ranks of the Grey Wardens, you will be tasked with uncovering the mystery of how the darkspawn survive after the slaying of the Archdemon. How players choose to rebuild their order, resolve the conflict with the mysterious “Architect,” and determine the fate of the darkspawn are just some of the many intriguing moral choices that will shape each player’s heroic journey. Players will be able to import their character from Dragon Age: Origins or start out as a new Grey Warden from the neighboring land of Orlais.

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In this age of quick-hit downloadable content, proper "old-school" expansion packs have become something of a rarity. So when EA and BioWare officially announced an upcoming add-on for Dragon Age: Origins this morning, I sort of immediately assumed it was yet another piece of DLC for the game. But this new expansion, known as Awakening, will actually hit as a traditional, full-on expansion--on a disc at retail stores or digitally, if that's your thing. It's currently scheduled to become available on March 16 and will retail for $39.99 on PS3, 360, and PC.

The expansion will add a higher level cap, five new party members, additional spells and abilities, and the ability to re-spec your character, which is something that required you to pull down the console or edit your save files previously. The new quest will allow you to bring in existing characters or start a new one as you attempt to rebuild the order of Grey Wardens. Here are the relevant bits of the announcement for more details on the story:

Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening, BioWare’s next thread in the Dragon Age: Origins tapestry, occurs following the events of Dragon Age: Origins and puts players into the role of a Grey Warden Commander entrusted with rebuilding the order of Grey Wardens. In addition to rebuilding the ranks of the Grey Wardens, you will be tasked with uncovering the mystery of how the darkspawn survive after the slaying of the Archdemon. How players choose to rebuild their order, resolve the conflict with the mysterious “Architect,” and determine the fate of the darkspawn are just some of the many intriguing moral choices that will shape each player’s heroic journey. Players will be able to import their character from Dragon Age: Origins or start out as a new Grey Warden from the neighboring land of Orlais.

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Woot, more Dragon Age just finishing off origins on PC.
 
edit: also woot first

That Lightning Dragon looks amazing.  I still have to play this, but waiting to play it on PC instead of 360.
 
Just have to buy that PC...

Sounds like Bioware is keeping their promise when it comes to DLC and stuff but a whole expansion? Wow thats a little surprising.

Noice. A full-on expansion for Dragon Age is good news to hear.

It sucks the expansion that was suppose to be released today (Return to Ostagar) was delayed.  :(

Must-buy for sure. Until the expansion comes out I will probably have 200hours in DA:O.

Is that Ghost again in the last screenshot?  You're gonna need to introduce The Ghosties next award season.

" Is that Ghost again in the last screenshot?  You're gonna need to introduce The Ghosties next award season. "

Wonder if this is going to be a sign of better things to come for Mass Effect 2. The DLC for Mass Effect 1 was Horrible

Yes! March is gonna be good for RPG fans

Bioware is seriously pwning my wallet - between all the dragon age content and Mass Effect 2 on the way... it's over... I've got 63 hours into DA:O and I'm still not finished yet.

" @Jimbo said:

" Is that Ghost again in the last screenshot?  You're gonna need to introduce The Ghosties next award season. "

Modern Warfare invented skulls "

This is a day 1 buy for me. I can't wait. It seems like forever since I bought an actual expansion pack.

" @Jimbo said:

" Is that Ghost again in the last screenshot?  You're gonna need to introduce The Ghosties next award season. "

Modern Warfare invented skulls "

Awesome. Can't wait!

OMFG. That soon!!! I know they delayed the DAge release to port it to consoles; love it. Bioware FTW. Hopefully this expansion will turn Dragon Age + Awakening + DLC into a 200+ hour mega ultra RPG; the best kind of RPG!

Damn...i just completed my third playthrough x_x 
 
Think i'll pick this up later in the year, i'm pretty dragon age'd out.

five new party members? SOLD!!!!

I'm in the middle of Dragon Age right now, but this still sounds good.   I hope we hear something about content length at some point here though.

NO! I have exams in march! Bioware is stealing my study time! :P

"Damn...i just completed my third playthrough x_x  Think i'll pick this up later in the year, i'm pretty dragon age'd out. "

" NO! I have exams in march! Bioware is stealing my study time! :P "

Gamestop has it listed at $30 on PC instead of $40 like the consoles.  Hoping it'll stay at that price on steam.

Is it me or does it look like you can have a Dark Spawn party member...  I hope he's fun to talk to.

Man, I can't WAIT this is gonna be awesome

I'm still barely going through the first playthrough,  I might have to wait on it get it in the Summer when nothing is out (and hopefully it's cheaper).

I wonder how they will handle the using of an already made character becasue 
 

I haven't even finished my second play through but yea I am down for some more Dragon Age.

" I wonder how they will handle the using of an already made character becasue 
 

SPOILER WARNING: Click here to reveal hidden content.

One of the ending involves you sacrificing yourself. 

 I just hope they won't handle it in the same manner as the first ME where you had to reload an earlier save.  "

" @JoeH said:

" NO! I have exams in march! Bioware is stealing my study time! :P "

This will be on FOX News. I am callin it. "

This 100% proves that Ghost cannot die!

Yay, dragon age is awesome

I can respec that's awesomesauce, pretty sure I waste one skill point. I also want to move in lock picking.

" I wonder how they will handle the using of an already made character becasue 
 

SPOILER WARNING: Click here to reveal hidden content.

One of the ending involves you sacrificing yourself. 

 I just hope they won't handle it in the same manner as the first ME where you had to reload an earlier save.  "

Looks like we'll be fighting two smaller dragons at the same time, I always felt those were a bit underwhelming when fighting only one of them. Hope the fight with the spectral dragon will be unique, not just a reskinned High Dragon that shoots lightning instead of fire. And The Architect should have been in the main campaign as he is by far the most interesting badguy in the Dragon Age lore (he's a major player in the 2nd prequel novel).

dang i have yet to get this game

I don't plan on playing Dragon Age any time soon, but I am glad to see that expansions still come out.

" @unreal999 said:

" @JoeH said:

" NO! I have exams in march! Bioware is stealing my study time! :P "

This will be on FOX News. I am callin it. "

Nah I'm British, worst it'll be on the BBC. Though I won't actually replace studying with Dragon Age time.... I can go without sleep instead for a few weeks right? "

I only care about One thing....Morrigan. How did that "little surprise" turn out??

" @jadeskye said:

"Damn...i just completed my third playthrough x_x  Think i'll pick this up later in the year, i'm pretty dragon age'd out. "

After three playthroughs, yeah, i'm pretty convinced as well you're utterly saturated. "

" I wonder how they will handle the using of an already made character becasue 
 

SPOILER WARNING: Click here to reveal hidden content.

One of the ending involves you sacrificing yourself. 

 I just hope they won't handle it in the same manner as the first ME where you had to reload an earlier save.  "

Dragon Age is pretty good (as my total time spent on it shows), but I think I've just about had enough.

This is basically the equivalent of the Throne of Bhall expansion for Baldur's Gate 2, which is pretty awesome.

" @Mordukai said:

" I wonder how they will handle the using of an already made character becasue 
 

SPOILER WARNING: Click here to reveal hidden content.

One of the ending involves you sacrificing yourself. 

 I just hope they won't handle it in the same manner as the first ME where you had to reload an earlier save.  "

GOOD GOD WHY DID I CLICK THE SPOILER BOX? "