Update: Looks like the usual fare, website relaunch and trailers.

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BioWare is set to announce something big for Dragon Age tomorrow. It's close to E3, so who knows, this could be just a release date coupled with a trailer and whatnot. Or perhaps they've decided to make a console version for what was originally intended as a PC-only game. Or it may be connected to Dr. Ray's comments about on-going content downloads.

Dragon Age was one of the games BioWare started developing a few years back as their original property games, like Mass Effect. I was pretty thrilled at the idea, because as much as Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights and KOTOR were fantastic, they were all set in licensed universes and the guys at BioWare are more than creative enough to come up with some damn inventive stuff on their own.

Dragon Age is set in their own unique medieval fantasy world.

When a guildmate mentioned it (thanks Xystian), the idea of a Dragon Age MMORPG put a huge grin on my face.

I'm not starting any rumours, so don't get excited, I don't think that's actually going to happen. BioWare couldn't be developing Dragon Age secretly as an MMO all this time, could they? It does have a 5 year development cycle, but BioWare doesn't develop quick games anyway. It can't be, because it's expected to be party-based tactical combat, right? Well it's very unlikely, because they've also said it won't have the ability to do persistent server stuff like Neverwinter did.

Ahhh but I can dream that the BioWare MMORPG won't be a space opera, especially not Star Wars. For at least a few hours, I'm going to pretend it'll be a sword and sorcery romp.    =)

Maybe they'll consider an MMORPG sequel set in the Dragon Age world. I'm gonna start begging now.

Funcom has posted Age of Conan's first roadmap teaser. It's straightforward and shows they're aware (for the first while at least) they'll be busy patching bugs, fixes and content holes.

I'm pleased they aren't getting too distracted with 'balancing', especially for PvP because as this line indicates, they need to rethink how PvP works with their combat mechanics anyway:

Focusing on content (PvE and PvP) is what Funcom needs to do for the next few months. I'm assuming that despite their record-breaking launch numbers, the active players / subscriptions have eased off a bit, this isn't the game for everyone. I love it, but it's not a mass-market-appeal game like WoW (and I wouldn't want it to be!).

I'm certain they want to build up their player base even more though, or at least insulate it against the onslaught that will be Warhammer and Wrath of the Lich King. Good, solid content is the only way to do that.

Make yourself comfy where you are, because Hyboria will be out of reach just a little bit longer.

Funcom has set the official release date of Age of Conan to May 20th, which is two months later than the previously expected release in March. It's a bit of a surprise after previous assurances that they'd given themselves ample development time with the last delay. Funcom has posted a official press release and explanations for the new delay, the magic word being "polishing".

Overall, it doesn't seem like much of a setback to me, so long as this is release date is solid. They need to hit spring / early summer though, if they want any sort of headstart on Mythic's and Blizzard's upcoming MMO releases. The sooner this game is out, the better positioned they'll be. I do understand though, their need to make sure the game's launch is successful to begin with.

I'm personally hoping the extra time will let them polish all aspects of the game for a complete and well-rounded MMORPG, not just the PvP highlights that the early adopters tend to be attracted to.

I'm really looking forward to this game.

The MMO that was two-games in one universe is now one. City of Villains was a natural followup to the excellent City of Heroes, but it wasn't really an expansion, nor a sequel either. It left the game in an Us vs Them situation, not just in the intended gameplay of the factions, but with which product you actually purchased. Well now they've merged.

Whether you purchased the City of Heroes box or City of Villains, it doesn't matter anymore, you'll have access to both sides.

The merge is part of the player perks NCsoft is promoting to ease any fears with their full acquisition of the game from Cryptic Studios, announced yesterday (press release).

Yesterday, a msg was forwarded from a friend that felt like they'd "died inside a bit". At first I was boggled, I didn't think they were interested in Gods and Heroes or anything else I'd heard recently. Then I checked the news--

EA has officially begun an acquisition of BioWare and Pandemic Studios. BioWare has the full press release available in PDF format.

It appears that EA's primary interest is increasing their RPG holdings, especially with the unnamed MMORPG from BioWare. A very wise choice for EA for the future. My take on this though is that BioWare is the pinnacle of independent game design, while EA has the notorious reputation of stifling exactly that sort of thing.