Dragon Age 2 - Here be spoilers.

[Mazakiel]

Whoever the fuck is in charge of their account integration and login systems needs to be dragged out to the woods and shot.  Attempting to login to the Bioware Social Site to buy the DLC is now dropping me at a screen saying I'm logged in with my EA account, but that I need to create a new one. Oh, but it won't let me use my email address because it's 'already taken'.  Attempting to contact customer support about it drops me at a different login screen that asks for my info, and just keeps reloading whenever I attempt the login. 

[Sjofn]

And there's part of the reason I want all my games on Steam RIGHT THERE. 

[Fordel]

Seriously, that is one of the major selling points for Steam.

I buy a game for 5 bucks and then an hour later its all patched up and ready to play, without me having to fiddle with anything else.


Shit, Steam updates my video drivers for me now. 




Also the Bioware Social Site thing is an abomination.

[Raguel]

I really liked the dlc. There was some repetition in terms of  "zones" but it was usually in places where it made sense.

[Merusk]

Whoever the fuck is in charge of their account integration and login systems needs to be dragged out to the woods and shot.  Attempting to login to the Bioware Social Site to buy the DLC is now dropping me at a screen saying I'm logged in with my EA account, but that I need to create a new one. Oh, but it won't let me use my email address because it's 'already taken'.  Attempting to contact customer support about it drops me at a different login screen that asks for my info, and just keeps reloading whenever I attempt the login. 

IIRC I ran into the same problem back when DA2 first came out and I resolved it by having the main EA site send me a new PW.  That PW then worked on the Bioware site as well.

Yes, it's completely stupid. I expect nothing less.

[Mazakiel]

I tried that before I posted, and it did nothing.  I'm going to call their support line, since it never did let me get to an email address/form, but I'm in no rush.  If I didn't think this would become an issue with ME3 as well, I'd just say fuck it.  I shouldn't have to have this big a problem with accessing stuff I've paid for or want to pay for. 

[Sjofn]

I've (thankfully) never had this issue, but I really don't understand why they make it so goddamn hard to give them money. Just trying to find the page where I could actually buy ME2's DLC was a giant hassle, I would've cut a bitch if, on top of that, I had account issues for no reason.

[rk47]

Origins will fix all that. AND make Steam completely unrelated to your future Dragon Age 3 experience.

[Tebonas]

The second one is more than likely, lets see if the first one is true as well. Still waiting for confirmation that I can buy on Origin in English language without a hassle.

[Velorath]

Still waiting for confirmation that I can buy on Origin in English language without a hassle.

On the webiste at least (don't think it does this in the application), pretty much anytime you add a PC game to your cart, it first asks for distribution method (digital or physical), and if you click digital the next drop down menu is for language.  Virtually every game I've checked lists at least 6 or 7 languages (Sims 3 had about 15).  SWTOR is the only game where I haven't noticed a language option for download, but then I don't know if the DD version is launching in any language other than English.

[Tebonas]

Thats comforting. Thanks for the info!

[Raguel]

In case anyone cares, I was able to hit 28 by doing the dlc first. Most of my chars are 24ish when I finish, but with my Phantom Miria I always kept Aveline in the group so eventually I had 3 +exp% items in the group at all times.

[stray]

Yes, I haven't posted in awhile, but I had to just comment on this stupid game.  

But anyways, it's not really that bad.. I'm just wondering if I'm alone in being a mage Hawke who sides with Templars. It almost seems like the game was forcing me to be that way. Every mage is insane. Except Bethany (that is, if you play Warrior or Rogue).

The DLC Legacy is kind of illuminating on this too. Malcolm Hawke sounds pretty cool as well. He's got a good line about not succumbing to his base instincts or some such.

Siding with Templars feels a bit like Tony Stark in the Marvel Civil War story arc though.

[Sjofn]

It's ... a little hypocritical, in my view, simply because I'm sure you don't think you should be locked up in a tower, right? But that's a totally valid line to take, of course. "Every mage sucks. Except me, of course."

I have had a mage that at least sides with the templars occassionally (not at the end, mind you, that Goes Too Far for them all so far), but more in a pro-Circle "yeah most of these guys need to at least be taught how not to be idiots" than pro-Templar way. The Circle needs to be reformed, but not destroyed, that sort of thing.



Also, a new DLC was announced, but not many details yet. Here is a trailer, though! I am suspicious that it's going to be one of those "just you and the new character and NO ONE ELSE" kinds of DLCs. Those I don't enjoy as much, I like bringing my frieeeeeends.

[stray]

I have had a mage that at least sides with the templars occassionally (not at the end, mind you, that Goes Too Far for them all so far), but more in a pro-Circle "yeah most of these guys need to at least be taught how not to be idiots" than pro-Templar way. The Circle needs to be reformed, but not destroyed, that sort of thing.

I'm not siding with Templars either per se (at least in my head). Like I said, it's more like Tony Stark, where I think Hawke could do more good that way (if you don't get the Stark reference, my apologies.. but he is a hypocrite like that). Most of the mages in this game actually make Jowan look cool. Which is quite a feat, since he's the biggest tard in DAO.

Also, a new DLC was announced, but not many details yet. Here is a trailer, though! I am suspicious that it's going to be one of those "just you and the new character and NO ONE ELSE" kinds of DLCs. Those I don't enjoy as much, I like bringing my frieeeeeends.

Hmm.. I wonder who it is. They seem to be pushing Cassandra Pentaghast as a major character, whatwith the upcoming feature film anime in the works. Maybe it will be about her (no complaints here.. I'd like to see more of her.. if not here, then in DA3).

Either that, or base a DLC off of Varric's serial cop "Hard in Hightown"  

edit: Oops, I made that comment without watching the trailer.

[stray]

That trailer looks cool btw. Not sure where it's supposed to be placed in the story, but I like the urban Renaissance theme.

On that note, my favorite armor in this game is Malcolm's Bequest from Mage Pack I. I guess it's Orlesian as well.

In fact, I think the game might have been better off eschewing even more RPG "staples" like custom armor, and just given default iconic looks for Hawke according to chapter. Malcolm's Bequest just fits so well in the time it's able to be equipped (Chapter 2, once you've restored the Amell name). They could have done a better story along those lines, where Hawke kind of goes incognito and does the heroing with that mask.

[Tebonas]

So Felicia Day got another gig I see! 

[Bunk]

Ok, that is totally unfair, taking advantage of my slightly creepy infatuation with her. Explains why she was at that Dragon Age panel I missed.

[Ingmar]

This is probably nerd blasphemy, but from the sounds of that voiceover I don't think her voice acting is going to be up to the standards of the rest of the game.

[Bunk]

Oh I get what you mean, coupled with the fact that her voice and speech patterns are so unique its actualy going to be disrtacting.

Mind you, I can't believe I played 80% of DA2 with Merril as a permanent fixture - not realizing it was Eve Miles.

[stray]

I think I'm gonna play as a Warrior siding with mages.. and be friends with Merrill. I'll give it a chance.. I want to see what the big deal is. As it is, I can't stand her character. I'd actually rather go gay and shag Fenris than merely be friends with Merrill. Like I said, the mages are all retarded in this game. And everything Fenris says is true.

[Lantyssa]

This is probably nerd blasphemy, but from the sounds of that voiceover I don't think her voice acting is going to be up to the standards of the rest of the game.

Someone might call you on that and say the game isn't up the the standards of her voice acting.

[Ingmar]

It should probably be someone who has actually played it though.  

But to clarify I of course meant up to the standards of the rest of the game's voice acting.

[stray]

At first, all I heard was she was working on some Dragon Age web series (as in, a show). Now it's a game. I'm confused if both are releasing or if they scrapped the first idea.

Even besides this, it looks like a lot is still in the works for this game though, so I guess that's cool.

[Sjofn]

I think I'm gonna play as a Warrior siding with mages.. and be friends with Merrill. I'll give it a chance.. I want to see what the big deal is. As it is, I can't stand her character. I'd actually rather go gay and shag Fenris than merely be friends with Merrill. Like I said, the mages are all retarded in this game. And everything Fenris says is true.

RIVALMANCE HER AS HARD AS YOU CAN

RIVALMANCE FOREVER


Ahem. I love Merril. I do! But she needs the tough love, not some ENABLER. Just like Anders.

[stray]

I might be down with that. And yes, being friendly feels like being an enabler. Exactly. That's why I don't like her. She reminds me too much of people I know who are drug abusers or alcoholics.

As for Anders, he doesn't deserve an enabler or a rival. The knife is the right choice there. Although if I had a choice, I wouldn't stab him in the back.

[Sjofn]

I like Anders. <3

But yeah, rivalry isn't bad! It's not "grr I can't stand you" it's "grr your world view and mine do not agree," and can feel just as rewarding (or moreso!). This reminds me, I still have to rival Aveline, Varric and Isabela. Isabela should be easy enough, not sure I can be a big enough douche to rival Varric properly though. 

[rk47]

It's so easy to rival him. Basically, you need to be as overt as possible when dealing with problems. Instead of talking it out, always opt for the violent solutions, he hates those.

Also: Felicia Day to be the next DLC companion. Some assassin...sigh.

[stray]

Don't do it, man. Anything that makes Varric mad is Fail. He's probably the best thing this game has going for it.

I pissed off Isabela on purpose. Then she betrayed me. Oh well.. maybe she'll show up in the next game.

[Sjofn]

Yeah, Varric is just such a bro, I don't know if I really WANT to rival him. But I should probably do at least one true DoucheHawke run. My BitchHawke is BFFs with Varric, so I missed an opportunity there with her ... but she did get my rivalmance with Fenris overwith. I didn't like it as much as the friendship version. I also prefer romancing Fenris as a dude, because there is a facepalm-y dick joke in the After Sex Discussion. 

[koro]

One of these days I need to hunker down and actually finish a second playthrough of DA1. I've got Sjofn's DA2 hours sunk into Baldur's Gate 2, but for some reason I can just never decide what to play through DA1 with. The weird melee combat Benny Hill chases are probably the biggest roadblock to me playing a melee character, and I'm not sure I wanna do a mage again.

[stray]

One of these days I need to hunker down and actually finish a second playthrough of DA1. I've got Sjofn's DA2 hours sunk into Baldur's Gate 2, but for some reason I can just never decide what to play through DA1 with. The weird melee combat Benny Hill chases are probably the biggest roadblock to me playing a melee character, and I'm not sure I wanna do a mage again.

If you haven't played one, I think 2h warriors are kind of cool in DAO. They don't really come into their own until later, plus they're slower, but they make up for it in being the most interactive warrior type. Everything revolves around their actual skills and timing the swings, rather than autoattack like the dual wielder. It's not some dramatic boost of "fun combat", but relatively speaking, it's better. Dual wielding and Arcane Warrior are just boring, even if they tear everything apart. The 2hander also has a good mix of single target and AOE, unlike the sword+shield.

Playing a Shapeshifter Mage full time is different too. Most people seem to knock it, but it's pretty cool in the player character's hands.

[rk47]

DA1 - two hander templar with full magic immunity is still my favorite.
Start killing every single key players in the game and be a champion~!!

[Sjofn]

See, I found the DW warrior loads more fun than the 2h warrior (although 2h warrior is HILAAAARIOUS in Awakenings).

[amiable]

Whoever the fuck is in charge of their account integration and login systems needs to be dragged out to the woods and shot.  Attempting to login to the Bioware Social Site to buy the DLC is now dropping me at a screen saying I'm logged in with my EA account, but that I need to create a new one. Oh, but it won't let me use my email address because it's 'already taken'.  Attempting to contact customer support about it drops me at a different login screen that asks for my info, and just keeps reloading whenever I attempt the login.  

Its horrible.  My DA dlc is now non functional, and it says my password is invalid.  However it will not accept a new password because:

1.  It has a bunch of bullshit password rules that re useless (you need a lowercase and uppercase letter, number and symbol,  ffs just let me use a long phrase, it is almost always more secure than a dumbass password I have to write down).

2.  Even when I follow all of the rules it labels my password as invalid!

Orgins absolutely sucks, and I am considering canceling some pre-orders because of it.

Edit:  Oh, and I can't get any help because I need to log in to access the technical support functions.  Clownshoes.