Bioware: Dragon Age II Is Done

Mark Darrah, Bioware executive producer, has announced on the Bioware forums that the Dragon Age team has moved on ” to the next phase of Dragon Age’s future”, suggesting that upcoming Dragon Age II DLC has been cancelled. And from the sounds of things Bioware will be patching up any inconsistencies for Dragon Age II and simply moving forward.

“While we will still be keeping an eye out for any issues that might crop up in DAII and supporting the community should any emergencies should arise, we’re moving the entire team’s focus to the next phase of Dragon Age’s future.”

Responding to complaints of this decision, in particular the lack of development for the main character Hawke, Darrah explains that they wanted to continue his story but was forced to move on.

“We will try to bring some closure to Hawke’s story but likely not in a playable form. Originally we had planned to do an expansion pack but had to stop to focus on what we are working on now.”

Could Hawke’s story conclude in Dragon Age III? Where the franchise will go from here is anyone’s guess, but what is made clear Bioware wants to continue to make good games by looking to the past for fresh ideas and to hear from the community.

“However, what I can say is that we’ve been thinking a lot about Dragon Age – what it means, and where it could go. This past year, we’ve spent a lot of time both going back to the “BioWare vault” of games and re-examining them, and looking at some new possibilities that today’s industry allows.”

“With that, the next thing for the Dragon Age team members and I to do is hear from you, and not just on the forums, or Facebook, or Twitter. We’ll be attending a number of conventions and gatherings, including PAX East in April. The most valuable thing we can get out of those meetings is to hear from you on those same topics – what does Dragon Age mean to you, and where would you like to see it go? We’re excited to hear what you have to say!”

As of late, anyone can see that Dragon Age, as a brand, has been dwindling for a few years now. Of course, since it’s inception, complaints began to spark ranging from a stripped-down battle system, to the sheer fact that the exploration never expanded beyond the main setting in Dragon Age II – Kirkwall.

What is relieving to here, however, is that Bioware wants to do right by the fans to encourage an open dialogue, in person, as they did in the Guild Summit, to bounce back some community feedback to what they would like to see in future installments of the Dragon Age franchise.

Source: Joystiq