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Dragon Age: Origins reveals full details on preorder bonuses photo

A while ago, we confirmed a shedload of goodies that can be found within the Dragon Age: Origins Collector's Edition. However, now that Electronic Arts has officially revealed the full kit n' kaboodle, we get to see exactly how ridiculous the purchase incentives are.

We already know that the Collector's Edition will contain a tin case, a bonus DVD, a cloth map, three exclusive bits of in-game content, additional quests, an unlockable character and a bonus item for Mass Effect 2. We now know more about that last item, however, with EA revealing that it will be available for anybody who buys the game brand new.

If you buy the game brand new, regardless of whether or not you got the regular or Collector's Edition, you will receive a code to download the "Blood Dragon Armor," a unique piece of equipment that can be used in both Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age. Preorders will also get their hands on The Memory Band, an item that adds +1% to all experience points, and an extra skill point to spend on character skill sets. 

I often wonder how much these incentives will change the way the game plays. Will the Blood Dragon Armor be so powerful that it eliminates the need for looting, which is the backbone of many good RPGs? Will the Memory Band allow you to level up too fast and render the game easy? We'll have to wait and find out, but damn that's a lot of stuff being thrown at customers.

EDMONTON, Alberta–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Leading video game developer BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS - News) today announced the Dragon Age™: Origins Collector’s Edition and pre-order incentive program*. The Collector’s Edition is a premium package available in limited quantities featuring exclusive Dragon Age: Origins collectibles including a unique steel case, a cloth map of the world of Dragon Age, a Making-of documentary DVD, a digital version of the Dragon Age: Origins soundtrack, game trailers, wallpapers, strategy tips and a concept art video, plus three exclusive downloadable items that will provide special advantages to the player.

The Collector’s Edition is available for pre-order today at www.eastore.ea.com for an MSRP of $74.99 (console) and $64.99 (PC) in North America.

As an added bonus, Dragon Age: Origins (both original and Collector’s Edition) includes two special pieces of downloadable content: The Stone Prisoner, as well as a suit of Dragon Age themed armor that can be used in Dragon Age: Origins as well as in the upcoming BioWare Shooter RPG, Mass Effect™ 2 on all available platforms.

With The Stone Prisoner download pack, players will have access to Shale, the mighty stone golem who can become one of the most powerful party members in the game, and comes with its own personal back-story and unique quests for the player to discover. The Stone Prisoner will also include new environments, items and hours of additional gameplay, further deepening the epic Dragon Age experience. The Stone Prisoner is available to original purchasers of new copies of Dragon Age: Origins at no additional cost. The Stone Prisoner can also be purchased separately for $15.

In addition, players who purchase a new copy of Dragon Age: Origins (original or Collector’s Edition) will receive a code to download the Blood Dragon Armor, an exclusive set of themed armor that will give the player additional protection in combat. This armor will be available for use in both Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2.

All gamers who pre-order Dragon Age: Origins will receive the Memory Band, an in-game item that can be equipped to add +1% to all gained Experience Points and which adds one bonus point that players can use to boost their character’s skill set. In addition to the Memory Band, several leading retailers are also offering a bonus Dragon Age: Origins item for a limited time. Players should check with their favorite retailer for additional pre-order item offerings.

In Dragon 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.

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®3 version will follow later in November. Dragon Age: Origins is rated M by the ESRB. For more information about Dragon Age: Origins, visit www.dragonage.com.

*Restrictions apply to pre-order programs. See details at www.eastore.com and at participating retailers.

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™ and Neverwinter Nights™ series, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™ and Sonic™ Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (for the Nintendo DS™). Original BioWare-created intellectual properties include Jade Empire™ and the 2007 Game of the Year, Mass Effect™. With studios in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montreal (Quebec), and Austin (Texas), BioWare is hard at work on the epic fantasy roleplaying game, Dragon Age™: Origins, Mass Effect 2™, the epic sequel to Mass Effect, and the story-driven massively multiplayer game, Star Wars®: The Old Republic™, 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), 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 and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. “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.








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19 comments | showing # 1 to 19
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Amaru's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 13:02
Amaru
FUCK PRE-ORDERS INCENTIVES.
I am SICK of them.
Elsa's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 13:09
Elsa
I'll pre-order, but just the regular edition, not the special edition.
Mockingbird's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 13:11
Mockingbird
So wait... If I buy the game new w/o pre-ordering it I get The Stone Prisoner and the Blood Dragon Armor. So the Memory Band is the pre-order bonus? Slightly confused here as I just woke up after a long night of drinking.
ZilorZilhaust's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 13:31
ZilorZilhaust
I'm a cloth map whore. I'm going to frame it and put it on my wall next to my Ultima Online cloth map... I think I have another cloth map but I can't find it... Fucking hiding cloth maps!
Haizeus's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 13:38
Haizeus
As a PS3 I feel kind of left out. Unless Mass Effect 2 is coming over. Is it?
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 13:48
ArrestedDeveloper
If the Shale is anywhere near as awesome as the Stone Golem in the book he is going to kick major ass.

@Haizeus
eeeeh, probably not, at least not anytime soon. But hey, you can keep it in mind and in a few years I'm sure you can buy the trilogy for PC cheap.
comradetrotskii's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 13:49
comradetrotskii
So wait... If I buy the game new w/o pre-ordering it I get The Stone Prisoner and the Blood Dragon Armor

Yes.

It's an attempt at a middle finger to the trade in system. If you want these things (it's unclear how substantial or necessary they are) you have to buy new or pay $15 to get them as DLC. Either way the publisher/developer makes some cash that would have been denied to it by the trade in system
MultiJoe's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 13:49
MultiJoe
well 1% more xp is one percent more monsters killed, so I doubt that's going to throw the game balance out too much.


Those collectors items though? Bullshit. THAT is worse than disc unlock-DLCs.
Maurice Tan's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 14:45
Maurice Tan
I'm sure there will be other items that give better stats than just 1 skill slot and 1% exp, or more exp + more skill slots/attribute bonuses :)
andycadaver's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 15:46
andycadaver
Am I the only one who's actually taking the bait and grabbing this shit? It's not a horrible business practice. I like extra things. Is that so terrible?
Br0th3rGr1mm's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 16:19
Br0th3rGr1mm
I think this is a reasonable attempt at regaining some revenue from lost used game sales and I can't really blame a company for trying to do so. My main fear is that this kind of thing CAN and WILL be abused to strong arm pre-orders or collector edition purchases out of fans.

I could be just reading too much into this as well.
Br0th3rGr1mm's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 16:19
Br0th3rGr1mm
I think this is a reasonable attempt at regaining some revenue from lost used game sales and I can't really blame a company for trying to do so. My main fear is that this kind of thing CAN and WILL be abused to strong arm pre-orders or collector edition purchases out of fans.

I could be just reading too much into this as well.
Br0th3rGr1mm's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 16:19
Br0th3rGr1mm
I think this is a reasonable attempt at regaining some revenue from lost used game sales and I can't really blame a company for trying to do so. My main fear is that this kind of thing CAN and WILL be abused to strong arm pre-orders or collector edition purchases out of fans.

I could be just reading too much into this as well.
Jayge's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 16:49
Jayge
Isn't this worthless for PC users, what with the supposedly super-powerful mod support built right into it? Wouldn't we be able to make these ourselves anyway? Hmm.
HiddenAHB's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 16:52
HiddenAHB
I will wait for the release, and then if it's 90% or above i may get the Special Muthefuka Edition.
MeatHead's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2009 20:19
MeatHead
After looking at the info I couldn't figure something out. If I get the PC version of Dragon Age and get the dlc and all that jazz, will the code I get for the Mass Effect 2 armor work on the 360 version? Or will I have to get either both on pc or both on 360? Cause it is just a code right, it shouldn't matter.
Eschatos's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/13/2009 10:43
Eschatos
I'd think that a piece of armor that could be used in Dragon Age Origins would be completely useless in Mass Effect. Either that, or you get to go through all of Dragon Age with regenerating shields.

That Stone Prisoner bit is retarded though. Charging more for DLC before the game is even out? That's just lame.
Mr Kite's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/15/2009 14:04
Mr Kite
I won't preorder, just can't be fucked.
mechadamuramu's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/21/2009 22:49
mechadamuramu
Does anyone know if I preorder Dragon Age for the PS3 but then Mass Effect 2 on the xbox if I get to have my ingame items like the armor etc transfer to the xbox? I can imagine they'd force you to get everything on the same console, but ME2 is xbox exclusive and I'd rather have DA on ps3.
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