Dragon Age: Origins.

[Tawmis]

I need to get the DLCs... stopped with Shale and Return to Ostagarr...

Need to get the others and do this. Been so freaking busy when I get home.

[Rath Darkblade]

Rather, two or three questions...

1. Do I have to be constantly connected to the internet to play Dragon Age, or can I play it in single-player mode?
2. I heard that I have to be connected to the internet the first time I play it, in order to accept the EULA. Why is this? Can't I simply accept the EULA while offline?
3. I heard also that there are certain artifacts/whachamajiggers/MacGuffins/etc. that I can only get if I'm online. What's this all about?

If possible, I'd rather not be online constantly to play a game.

Thanks!

[AndreaDraco]

1. No, you don't have to be online to play Dragon Age. The only benefit from playing it online is that your player profile on BioWare's social site gets automatically updated if you do so.

2. As far as I know, you don't have to be online the first time you play, but you have to go online when you install the game to register it (note: this may be wrong, mind you. Both my boyfriend and me registered the game on BioWare's site to download the various DLCs so I guess you must register the game, but I'm not sure: maybe you can play even without registering it).

3. This is false. I assume this rumor refers to the items you get from downloading and playing the various DLCs, like Return to Ostagar or Leliana's Song, that upon completion give you a special item to use in the original campaign. But these DLCs are fully optional and require to be connected only to download and istall it. After that you can play offline.

[Maiandra]

Like Andrea said, you just have to validate it online the first time. After that, you can keep it logged out and just play offline (that's what I do).

You only have to go online again to validate downloadable content and download it (if you want any) or to update your profile. I actually just go online to get the downloadable content. I have my game set not to synchronise anything with my online account (like stats, achievements, etc.).

I don't like having to be constantly online to play a single-player game either.

[DeadPoolX]

I tend to remain logged in more often than not in Mass Effect 2, but that's not a conscious decision. I just seem to forget I'm logged in, but like Dragon Age, remaining online isn't necessary EXCEPT when downloading DLC. In ME2's case, you can also download new items and weaponry.

I'd recommend downloading the DLC content. Some of it is free and some you have to pay to get. The adventures you get are pretty interesting, plus you can gain an extra party member and find new items.

Some DLC content has nothing to do with the main game and instead are separate adventures all together (like the DLC about Leliana's past, who becomes a party member early on the main game). I wouldn't purchase those until after completing the main game, if you want to buy them at all.

You can also find player-made additions on Dragon Age Nexus. While you'll find your typical "god mode" and "naked female characters" stuff on there (including one extremely in-depth sex scene mod), you can also get a lot of really cool items. I got a fantastic suit armor for my Arcane Warrior on there. I also removed the graphical effects when using buffing spells, since after a while it becomes an annoying light show.

[Rath Darkblade]

Aggh... well, I bought Dragon Age: Origins and tried to run it, but tells me that my video card is not supported.

I'm using a Radeon 9550. (Yes, I know this card is extremely old). What can I do, if anything? Do I need to buy a new card, or can I somehow make do with the one I have?

Thanks!

[DeadPoolX]

Aggh... well, I bought Dragon Age: Origins and tried to run it, but tells me that my video card is not supported.

I'm using a Radeon 9550. (Yes, I know this card is extremely old). What can I do, if anything? Do I need to buy a new card, or can I somehow make do with the one I have?

Thanks!

Rath, why didn't you check DA:O's system requirements before buying the game? A Radeon 9550 isn't anywhere near enough to play this game. Out of interest, which edition of the 9550 do you have? Apparently there is 64MB, 128MB and 256MB version.

To make things easier in the future, you might want to download a free program called Speccy. It'll show you ALL of your PC's system information. The company that makes this program, Piriform, is legit and used by computer forensics companies, like TCS Forensics in Vancouver.

I'd also recommend downloading Piriform's other programs. Maia and I use them and they're all really useful. Like Speccy, all of their software is free.

[Rath Darkblade]

Sigh. Well, now that I look at it, the gamebox does specify at the bottom (in EXTREMELY small letters!) what kind of video card I need.

Well... since I got the game from EB Games, and it's well within their 7-day return policy, I can return the game if I want. Or, I can simply hold on to it until I get a new computer (around about Christmas/Boxing Day sales), so no harm done.

Thanks, everyone!

[Collector]

Well, you have been talking about a new machine, anyway. Just one more excuse to do so.

[DeadPoolX]

Unless EB Games has a very different return policy in Australia than it does in Canada and the US, you won't be able to return OPENED software. That includes DA:O. You can exchange it for the SAME item, but you can't return it or exchange it for a different item.

However, you CAN return UNOPENED software. If you opened the game carefully, you MIGHT be able to make the game appear as if you haven't opened it. I wouldn't be on it, but if you're desperate, give it a try.

You could also try claiming the game was a gift and that you didn't like/want it. Of course, the fact it's opened might hurt your case. Stores like EB Games also issue "gift receipts" now as well. However, your chances of successfully returning a game you got as a gift is much higher than one you bought yourself.

You can't sell it back to them, either. You can do that with console games, but not PC games.

I think the problem is that people were using EB Games as a rental store. Buy the game, play it, beat it and return it. Plus, some games use an activation key or tie a game to an account. If you return a game like that and someone else buys it, they'll get screwed.

One again, I don't know if EB Games in Australia has a different return policy. I've fought with EB Games (and other software stores) in the past over games I want to return. Except in rare situations (years ago, I might add), I've never been able to return an opened game.

[Rath Darkblade]

Hmm. I think EB Games here in Australia have a much more lenient approach than in the US - they actually do allow people to return games (even opened games, and even PC games) within 7 days of purchase, as long as I have the receipt. *smiles*

I have the receipt, which I've kept together with the game. So I'm ok.

[DeadPoolX]

Hmm. I think EB Games here in Australia have a much more lenient approach than in the US - they actually do allow people to return games (even opened games, and even PC games) within 7 days of purchase, as long as I have the receipt. *smiles*

I have the receipt, which I've kept together with the game. So I'm ok.

I guess they've had fewer issues with people taking the "rental" approach. I wish EB Games still had a lenient return policy here, but assholes screwed that up.

I don't recall if DA:O requires online activation; I know it needs online registration. If it does need online activation and you return it, someone else will buy it and find out they can't play the game at all. If that's the case, I hope you can't return it and end up screwing someone over.

BTW, didn't you WANT to play DA:O? You said you're getting a new computer, so why not just hold onto the game and play it then?

[Rath Darkblade]

Hmm. I think EB Games here in Australia have a much more lenient approach than in the US - they actually do allow people to return games (even opened games, and even PC games) within 7 days of purchase, as long as I have the receipt. *smiles*

I have the receipt, which I've kept together with the game. So I'm ok.

I guess they've had fewer issues with people taking the "rental" approach. I wish EB Games still had a lenient return policy here, but assholes screwed that up.

I don't recall if DA:O requires online activation; I know it needs online registration. If it does need online activation and you return it, someone else will buy it and find out they can't play the game at all. If that's the case, I hope you can't return it and end up screwing someone over.

BTW, didn't you WANT to play DA:O? You said you're getting a new computer, so why not just hold onto the game and play it then?

I don't know if DA:O required any kind of online involvement - it did ask me to input a serial number, but I was offline at the time. *shrug*

Of course I *want* to play it, and I am getting a new computer. I'm just thinking - well, if the game still doesn't work when I get a new computer, then not all is lost.

(Finally, if I can return it, then the lack of online involvement on my part hopefully means that I don't screw someone over... I'd hate it if that happened).

[Rath Darkblade]

So I finally, finally, at last been able to play this game. (Games come out here in Australia only a few days/weeks after NA; affordable hardware, though, takes MUCH longer, which is why I wasn't able to play this 'til now. Boohoo).

Anyway, having fun so far! Playing a human warrior, got up to level 6 or so. I'm in the swamps with Alistair and Morrigan, and my war dog. (I didn't think he'd survive long, so I named him Laddy - after my least favourite dog in The Simpsons).

I can tell there's going to be lots to do in this game. Mostly because I'm still kinda trying to understand the map system and the gameworld... and parts of the interface... but so far, all is good.

Incidentally, I already died twice, battling that ogre on top of that tower. Dammit! Good thing that game has an autosave there. By the way, why does that whole scene remind me of the "Gandalf battles the Balrog" scene from LOTR: Battle for Middle-Earth?

Anyway. Going well so far! And the game looks good too.

[AndreaDraco]

Which difficulty are you playing at? Normal?

Let us know if you need help with the tactics, the combat or the different options the game offers!