New Content to Provide Gamers With Hours of Additional Gameplay, a
New Party Member, Exclusive Armor, Mysterious Abilities, a New Base and
More
EDMONTON, Alberta, Oct 08, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Leading video game developer BioWare(TM), a division of Electronic Arts
Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), today announced that it has crafted special bonus
content for Dragon Age(TM): Origins to be released on launch
day. The award winning developer will release several packs of
downloadable content (DLC) for the highly anticipated RPG including The
Stone Prisoner, the Blood Dragon Armor and Warden's Keep.
"BioWare is dedicated to delivering at high quality for our fans, and
we've created something quite special here, some really cool new
downloadable content. A brand new party member, fresh adventures and
environments to explore, plus powerful new items and abilities -
together these will enrich and extend the core game experience, and
enable our fans to dive even deeper into the dark, heroic fantasy
universe of Dragon Age,"said Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder of
BioWare and the Group General Manager of the RPG/MMO Group at EA.
InDragon Age: Origins, players take the role of a Grey
Warden, one of the last of an ancient order of guardians. Now, as a
rising evil threatens to destroy all life, it is up to players to unite
the shattered lands and slay the corrupted dragon known as the
Archdemon. To restore peace, players must make ruthless decisions and be
willing to sacrifice their friends and loved ones for the greater good
of mankind. On this journey, players will need to make critical choices
that affect the various members of their party.
The Stone Prisoner will give players access to the mighty
stone golem Shale who can become one of the most powerful party members
in the game. Shale comes with its own personal back-story and unique
quests for the player to discover. The Stone Prisoner DLC will
also include new environments, items and hours of additional gameplay,
further deepening the epic Dragon Age experience. TheStone
Prisoner will be available to original purchasers ofnew
copies of Dragon Age: Origins at no additional cost via a code*
on an insert card in the retail version or as provided by the retailer
for digital purchases. The Stone Prisoner can also be purchased
separately for $15 on the PlayStation(R) Store, the PC via the in game
menu or for 1200 points on Xbox LIVE(R) Marketplace.
The Warden's Keeppremium DLC will provide players of Dragon
Age: Origins with a new dungeon-exploring adventure, new loot
including a set of ancient Grey Warden armor, a chance to gain two of
six mysterious new abilities, a new base complete with merchants and a
party chest to store their hard-earned items. The Warden's Keep adventureis based on an ancient myth in the Dragon Age universe, where two
centuries ago the legendary guardians known as the Grey Wardens were
expelled from the land amidst a storm of blood and betrayal. Until very
recently, the Wardens have been in exile, while their fortress remains
overgrown and reportedly haunted. Over the long years, legends of great
treasures and forgotten lore have been told of this hidden location, but
no one has ever ventured there and returned alive. Warden's Keep
gives gamers the chance to unearth this lost chapter of Grey Warden
history. With their trusty party and a new guide, Dragon Age: Origins
players will have an opportunity to unravel the mystery behind the fall
of Warden's Keep, and finally reclaim it for the order. Warden's
Keep will be available for $7 on the PlayStation(R) Store, the PC via
the in game menu or for 560 points on Xbox LIVE(R) Marketplace. It is also
included with the purchase of the Digital Deluxe Edition via a code
provided by retailers.
In addition, BioWare will release the Blood Dragon ArmorDLC,
a set of themed armor that will give players additional protection in
combat. This DLC is available to players who purchase a new copy of Dragon
Age: Origins (original or Collector's Edition) via a code* included
with the game. This armor will be available for use in both Dragon
Age: Origins on the PlayStation 3 computer and entertainment system,
Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system and PC and in Mass
Effect(TM) 2 on the Xbox 360 and PC.
Dragon Age: Origins will be released on November 3rd
in North America and November 6th in Europe on the Xbox 360
videogame and entertainment system and PC. The PlayStation(R)3 version
will follow later in November. Dragon Age: Originsis
rated M by the ESRB and 18+ by PEGI.
*One-time use code available with full retail purchase. Expires April
30, 2010.
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 roleplaying 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 Electronic Arts, a leading global interactive
entertainment publisher. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), in Redwood City, California, is a leading
global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the
Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software
worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices
and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand
names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA MobileTM
and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of
$4.2 billion and had 31 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 Mobile and
POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in
the U.S. and/or other countries. Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE are
trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and used. "PlayStation"
is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo
DS is a trademark of Nintendo. 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