Dragon Age: Origins Packs Free DLC in New Copies; Bonus Mass Effect 2 Item Detailed

August 12, 2009 7:48 AM

Developer BioWare today revealed that those who buy a new copy of Dragon Age: Origins, be it in standard or collector's edition form, will be rewarded with $15 worth of free downloadable content plus armor that can also be used in Mass Effect 2.

The downloadable Stone Prisoner add-on--free with a new copy, otherwise priced at $15--allows players to add the "mighty stone golem" Shale to their party and is said to bring "hours of additional gameply" though new quests, environments, and items.

New copies of Dragon Age will also include a code to download the Blood Dragon Armor, usable in both Dragon Age and BioWare's upcoming Mass Effect 2. It was not specified if the Armor DLC will be sold separately, though it was described as "exclusive."

Publishers such as BioWare owner Electronic Arts have recently begun using downloadable content to fight against piracy and the lost kickbacks of used game sales, though the effectiveness of the approach remains unclear.

In addition, retailers are offering bonus items in exchange for a pre-order. Those that reserve the RPG from participating stores will receiving the +1% experience boosting Memory Band, with outlets like GameStop offering an additional exclusive item.

Recently delayed, Dragon Age: Origins is now slated to hit PC and Xbox 360 on November 3 in North America, with the PlayStation 3 release following later in the month.

A collector's edition, packing "three exclusive downloadable items that will provide special advantages," and other goodies like a documentary DVD, will sell for $75 on consoles and $65 on PC. Going by a retail listing, those three items are:

* Bergen's Honor: A massive helmet made out of dragonbone (+2 to armor, +25 physical resistance, +6 to attack)
* Grimoire of the Frozen Wates: A special book that adds +3 to all attributes when read
* Final Reason: A magical staff of immense power (adds to damage, spell power, and fire damage)

The regular edition of the fantasy RPG will be $60 on consoles and $50 on PC.

Chris Faylor

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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FiReaNG3L

 reply
August 12, 2009 7:54 AM

I don't get it - free with a new copy? Why not make it part of the game at this point?
- kodt
  
   reply
  August 12, 2009 8:02 AM
  
  so people who buy used (on consoles) wont get it.
- SilverSnake
  
   reply
  August 12, 2009 8:03 AM
  
  To lower the value of resold copies and to get people into the DLC area.
  - DinK
    
     reply
    August 12, 2009 10:31 AM
    
    I think your second point has merit. I could see "bonus" DLC becoming part of many games just to get more people familiar with the DLC process. They can't buy what they don't know about or think is too complicated to get.
- TGammet
  
   reply
  August 12, 2009 9:17 AM
  
  To make the game worth even less to those of us who are not interested in getting the game right away.
  - xsikal
    
     reply
    August 12, 2009 9:41 AM
    
    It's only 'worth less' if you then decide to buy it used.
    
    Wait 6 months, buy a new copy of the game, (for cheaper, likely, because prices fall relatively quickly), and you'll still get the DLC.
    
    This ONLY impacts used game sales. I don't see the problem there... basically, it means the developer has a chance of actually making some money off of the resale of the game, (because the new purchaser might spend $ on the DLC), whereas they are currently entirely screwed.
    - TGammet
      
       reply
      August 12, 2009 7:04 PM
      
      I missed that part. So even a lowered price new copy would still have the DLC? Then, yeah it doesn't effect me probably. I don't buy used, though I do trade on Goozex.
- node
  
   reply
  August 12, 2009 9:22 AM
  
  I like the theory - any non-DRM approach to this is great. But who honestly cares about a quest and armour set? That's right, the hardcore who would buy it new anyway!