BioWare's Highly Anticipated Epic Fantasy Video Game Gets the Pen &
Paper Treatment
EDMONTON, Alberta, May 05, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Leading video game developer BioWare(TM), a division of Electronic Arts
Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), today announced that Green Ronin Publishing will
launch a pen and paper role-playing game (RPG) based on the highly
anticipated video game, Dragon Age(TM): Origins. The pen and
paper game extends the Dragon Age universe, making it more
accessible to passionate RPG fans looking for another way to experience
the epic fantasy world of Thedas.
"We're delighted to be working with Green Ronin to explore more of the Dragon
Age universe through a pen and paper role-playing game. We're
excited to deliver Dragon Age's unique dark, heroic fantasy to
our audience in a brand new way - a perfect complement to the landmark
game we're launching on PC, Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 this fall," said
Dr. Ray Muzyka, General Manager and CEO, BioWare and General Manager and
Vice President, EA. "Our development teams craft rich, deep worlds, and
this is an excellent way to expand the franchise."
"Dragon Age: Origins has been described as the spiritual
successor to BioWare's Baldur's Gate(TM), one of the most
highly-acclaimed fantasy computer RPGs in the world, so when BioWare
approached us to do a pen and paper version, we had to say 'yes!'," said
Green Ronin President Chris Pramas. "With our work on Warhammer
Fantasy Roleplay, Black Company, and Thieves' World,
dark fantasy is in our blood and Dragon Age: Origins is the best
in its class.An opportunity to collaborate with BioWare on Dragon
Age: Origins was not to be missed."
The Dragon Age pen and paper RPG will be available at card shops,
book and comic retailers in summer 2009. The first release will be a
boxed set -- perfect for new and experienced role-players alike. Green
Ronin plans to release additional boxed sets and supplemental books,
expanding the Dragon Age world even further.
Dragon Age: Origins from BioWare invites players to create
their own heroes and join the fight against the darkspawn in a world of
violence, lust and betrayal. The game will feature deep character
customization, challenging decisions, and a wealth of gritty, mature
plots that, combined with the BioWare heritage, make it one of the most
highly-anticipated releases of 2009. Dragon Age: Origins is
scheduled to release this fall on the Xbox 360(R) videogame and
entertainment system, PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and PC.
Dragon Age: Origins is rated RP by the ESRB. No PEGI rating is
available at this time. For more information about Dragon Age: Origins,
visit www.dragonage.com.
Pre-order the game now at www.eastore.ea.com.
About Green Ronin Publishing
Green Ronin Publishing is a Seattle-based company known for its
dedication to quality books and games. Founded in 2000, Green Ronin has
won more awards for excellence and innovation than any other game
company in the new millennium, and took home the coveted ENnie Award for
Best Publisher an unprecedented three years running. With great licenses
like A Song of Ice and Fire and the Black Company, groundbreaking games
like Mutants & Masterminds and Blue Rose, and a roster of top flight
designers and illustrators, Green Ronin Publishing is a leading light in
the hobby game industry.
About BioWare
BioWare develops computer, console, handheld, mobile and online video
games focused on rich stories and memorable characters. Since 1995,
BioWare has created some of the world's best-selling titles, including
the award-winning Baldur's Gate(TM) and Neverwinter Nights(TM)
series, Star Wars(R): Knights of the Old Republic(TM) and Sonic(TM)
Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (for the Nintendo DS(TM)).
Original BioWare-created intellectual properties include Jade Empire(TM)
and the 2007 Game of the Year, Mass Effect(TM). With studios in
Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montreal (Quebec), and Austin (Texas),
BioWare is hard at work on the epic fantasy role-playing game, Dragon
Age(TM): Origins, Mass Effect 2(TM), the epic sequel to Mass
Effect, and the story-driven massively multiplayer game, Star
Wars(R): The Old Republic(TM), as well as several unannounced projects.
In 2008, BioWare was acquired by the world's leading electronic
entertainment publisher, Electronic Arts. For more information on
BioWare, visit www.bioware.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is
the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded
in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive
software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular
handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under
four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS Freestyle(TM) and POGO(TM). In
fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27
titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online
game site is www.ea.com.
More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can
be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
*BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks or
registered trademarks owned by EA International (Studio and Publishing)
Ltd. in the U.S. and/or other countries. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS
Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic
Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Nintendo DS is a trademark
of Nintendo. PLAYSTATION is a registered trademark of Sony Computer
Entertainment. Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group
of companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
SOURCE: Electronic Arts Inc.
Electronic Arts
Tammy Schachter, 650-628-7223
Senior Director of PR
tschachter@ea.com
or
47 Communications
Brian Rubin, 212-391-4707
brian@fortyseven.com
or
EA Games Label PR
Erik Einsiedel, 780-430-0164 ext. 1146
erik@bioware.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009