Dragon Age III: Inquisition Announced

Looks like the leak was right. So whats everyone's thoughts on the game after the announcement.

We are going to do things a little differently today. Some of you may not know who I am so to start out, I´m going to tell you a little bit about myself.

I joined BioWare in May of 1997 making this year my 15th year with the Company (So, old…). I am a programmer by training and implemented the AI, scripting, and combat systems in Baldur´s Gate. After that, I moved into a lead programmer role on Tales of the Sword Coast, BG2, and Shadows of Amn. I kept my hands dirty during this time; you have me to blame for the wild mage.

After the Baldur´s Gate series, I was the lead programmer on Jade Empire, though I made a brief detour to implement the first version of the DM client in Neverwinter Nights.

Then through a weird series of un-relatable stories, I ended up on BioWare´s handheld title Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. I started out as Lead Programmer and finished in charge of the project. Along the way I managed to write a scripting language somehow WORSE than the one in BG, yet at the same time coded a stats system that I am VERY proud of. Fundamentally, the core achievement was that you could not die after you had already; it´s surprising how hard that can be to ensure, sometimes.

Finally I moved over to the Dragon Age franchise. I have been the Executive Producer since just before Dragon Age: Origins shipped.

I am part of an active D&D campaign, love collecting pen and paper stuff and like walks on the beach. Actually I don´t like walks on the beach, too smooshy.

Okay, enough about me, why have I called you all here today?

I am pleased to confirm that we are, in fact, working on the next Dragon Age game. Not a big surprise to most of you, I know. We have been working on it in some way for about two years now with the bulk of our efforts ramping up about 18 months ago.

Part of that effort has involved you, our fans, and the feedback you´ve provided for Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age II, and their DLC. We´ve visited message boards, read reviews, and we´ve gone to events to have direct face to face conversations with some of our most passionate fans. We´ve been listening, and we will continue to listen.

Recently, I said that we didn´t want to talk about Dragon Age III unless we had something to show. I´m trying to stick to that plan and won´t be revealing much today. That said, a lot of information and rumors have surfaced recently and we don´t want to hide from them. There are a BUNCH of things that I really want to share with you but I want to do this right, and doing it right requires some more time.

So here´s what I can confirm for now:
• The next game will be called Dragon Age III: Inquisition.
• We won´t be talking about the story of the game today. Though you can make some guesses from the title.
• This game is being made by a lot of the same team that has been working on Dragon Age since Dragon Age: Origins. It´s composed of both experienced BioWare veterans and talented new developers.
• We are working on a new engine which we believe will allow us to deliver a more expansive world, better visuals, more reactivity to player choices, and more customization. At PAX East, we talked about armour and followers… Yeah, that kind of customisation. We´ve started with Frostbite 2 from DICE as a foundation to accomplish this.

There´s much more to talk about, of course, but it will have to wait until it´s ready for the prime time.

We are going to be as open as we can. We will continue to have a dialogue with you and answer what questions we can. Keep providing us with your feedback. I´m excited about what we are working on and I hope that you will be too. I know this is going to be hard to believe, but it is just as hard for me not to tell you stuff as it is for you to wait.

And here's the full press release:

BIOWARE ANNOUNCES DRAGON AGE 3: INQUISITION

The Return of Dragon Age will be Bigger, Deeper and Powered by Frostbite 2

EDMONTON, Alberta – September 17, 2012 – BioWare, a Label of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA), today announced Dragon Age™ 3: Inquisition, the next chapter in the award-winning role-playing game (RPG) franchise, is in development at BioWare Edmonton and BioWare Montreal. Coming in late 2013, Dragon Age 3: Inquisition combines the storytelling legacy BioWare is known for, with deep RPG gameplay, all on a brand new RPG game engine underpinned by EA’s critically-acclaimed Frostbite™ 2 technology.

“The Dragon Age team has been working on Dragon Age 3: Inquisition for almost two years now,” said Aaryn Flynn, General Manager of BioWare Edmonton and BioWare Montreal. “We’ve been poring over player feedback from past games and connecting directly with our fans. They haven’t held back, so we’re not either. With Dragon Age 3: Inquisition, we want to give fans what they’re asking for – a great story with choices that matter, a massive world to explore, deep customization and combat that is both tactical and visceral.”

Added Flynn, “At the same time, we know we need new technology to truly make this vision become fully realized. And we’ve been working with DICE to make Frostbite 2 the foundation for the engine that is going to power Dragon Age 3.”

The Dragon Age franchise has received over 80 awards from critics around the world, and has sold over 8 million copies to date*. Created by BioWare, the property has spawned many novels, an animated film, comic books, collectibles and more since Dragon Age: Origins launched in 2009.

For more information about Dragon Age 3: Inquisition, including updates from the development team and a letter to the fans from Executive Producer Mark Darrah, please visit the game’s official web site at http://dragonage.com. Dragon Age fans can also receive updates on Twitter® at http://twitter.com/dragonage, or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/dragonage.

*According to internal EA data.

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones, tablets and social networks. EA has more than 220 million registered players and operates in 75 countries.

In fiscal 2012, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.1 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster brands such as The Sims™, Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, Need for Speed™, Battlefield™ and Mass Effect™. More information about EA is available at http://info.ea.com.

So march next year or later then since it's been in production for two years already. At least this time it's not a team of second hand castoffs and the engine should quiet the graphic haters.

"Frostbite 2" ? Uh, an shooter's engine for an RPG ???

But, well, RPGs in 3D … Isn't too far away from a shooter game 3D look …

Quoted from wikipedia (bold printing by me):

Frostbite 2

A demonstration of quasi-realtime radiosity from the Frostbite 2 engine.

The next generation of Frostbite debuted in 2011 with Battlefield 3. It takes full advantage of the DirectX 11 API and 64-bit processors,[7] with no support for DirectX 9 (nor, therefore, Windows XP).[8] I

Okay, money saved.

Anyone else think this might be fake?

Inquisition? Really?

No, I don't think so, although one can never be sure … At least, Wikipedia has adapted astonishingly fast.

Originally Posted by JDR13
Anyone else think this might be fake?

Inquisition? Really?

Nope info taken from Bioware, Gamebanshee and Bluenews. It's fits the setting after the religious upheaval. My previous rumor topic was right and most said it was fake.

Meh.. guess I spoke too soon. It's already on IGN, Gamespy, etc.

With all those good RPGs coming 2013 I think it will take more than payed review on IGN/PC gamer for them to have profit they want.Anyway after their recent products I am very skeptical about DA3.

Originally Posted by Alrik Fassbauer
"Frostbite 2" ? Uh, an shooter's engine for an RPG ???

The way I see it, they are taking the Frostbite 2 graphical engine for DA3.

Although, the official Frostbite 2 website pretty much list all AAA EA games in development right now (Command & Conquer, Battlefield 4, Mirror Edge 2, next Need for Speed, Dead Space 3, etc). I suspect this wasn't only an internal decision…

They were talking about a Dragon Age themed MP internal demo they had running in Frostbite 2 sometime earlier this year or late last… if I remember correctly. I think it's possible good news on the technical front. A solid engine foundation is something Frostbite 2 will bring. Destructible terrain might even make their bland magic system fun! I'm going to be hopeful about this, I think. Maybe it won't be a linear 8 hour QTE shooter attached to a mediocre fantasy FPS. You never know..

it all points they're going in the wrong direction again.