Tech update; DA:I ordering advice

[owlmoose]

Now that I'm earning a little bit of money again, T decided he could stop stalling and buy a PS4. We'd been holding off partly for budgetary reasons, partly because there isn't a showstopper game out yet, and I'd resigned myself to playing DA:I on the PS3, but now I can have the shiny new graphics, yay!

I guess that means I should pre-order now. Any thoughts on the best option for buying? Since I've been avoiding information from Bioware like the plague (their idea of what is a spoiler and my idea of what is a spoiler is... quite different), I don't actually know which retailer is offering the shiniest goodies. In particular, if anyone is selling an edition Day One DLC, I want to hear about it. Because I came to the franchise late, I missed out on both Sebastian and Shale the first time through, and I don't want to risk that happening again.

Comments

[sarasa_cat]

Bioware's idea of what isn't a spoiler is … annoying. Even their website's info on the characters says a little too much imho. At least during the recent LiveStreams they are FINALLY saying "the next scene will feature dialogue with X & Y that is spoilerish but then we'll get back to SomeRandomTechnicalFeature" so I know to mute the sound and fast forward like mad. Uhhhhh.

I need to pre-order this week too.

I'm in the same boat as you although I don't even know what platform I want to order it for. I have some cash set aside for a new PS4 but I prefer playing DA on the PC, but I'm not yet certain if my gaming laptop is spiffy enough for DAI.

I remember hearing something about gamestop having a pre order bundle but I haven't looked in months (was too busy, wasn't home, etc.).

If you find a good deal, please post. I'll do the same too if I find something first.

The one thing I do know regarding your question about another Sebastian or Shale situation is this: NO - there will be no recruitable characters who are DLC only. The reason is technical. The new engine and dev environment (very shiny dev tools) is highly integrated and doesn't allow them to easily incorporate characters through DLCs. So, the folks who have all been announced as part of the Inquisition are it.

Although, there are different versions of the pre-order packages.

The standard game ($59.99) is just that. The game.

The deluxe version ($69.99) gives you extra pretty things to play with: a Halla and a Unicorn you can ride, fancier things for decorating Skyhold, some spiffy armor+weapons (or something) that you can start off with, the digital soundtrack (!!!), and a few other odds and ends.

There are also a few mega deluxe packages but I believe some or most of those are sold out (correction: they are fully sold out and very limited edition because they were a bear to produce and assemble). For those who ordered one, they come with a variety of different physical items and none grab me beyond a printed tarot card deck of some lovely in-game illustrations although rumor has it that they'll sell those separately, knock on wood.

Gamestop has more info: http://www.gamestop.com/collection/dragon-age-inquisition

[owlmoose]

Thanks for the info! It might be worth paying the extra money for the digital soundtrack -- i often end up buying game music anyway.

[genginger]

The deluxe version from Amazon (for PC) looks similar to the GameStop version? The price is the same 69.99 (oh, but you save 3 cents, because it's actually 69.93, which must be some attempt to get better search rankings, I'm thinking).

Extras are:

Skyhold Throne: Every ruler should sit in a place of high honor, but as the Inquisitor you will have the greatest of all, fashioned from an ancient dragon skull.
Red Hart Halla: Traverse the perilous, living world atop this great-horned beast.
Bog Unicorn: Once belonging to an evil marauder, this unique mount has returned to inspire fear into those who would oppose you.
Bring the world of Thedas wherever you go with the digital soundtrack
Dragon Age Multiplayer Deluxe Edition chests

[stealth_noodle]

I probably will not get around to Inquisition for a while (pretty sure my video card needs upgrading, for one thing), but I am filing away this information about a Halla and a Unicorn, because wow is that an easy way to get an extra $10 out of me.

[fleurdeliser]

Yay PS4! I am still saving for one, but won't scrape together enough cash by release, so I'm going to end up buying two copies of DAI. Which will be somewhat annoying, but at least I can trade in the PS3 copy in to go toward the PS4 copy.

[owlmoose]

We will not talk about how many copies of DA:O I have. :)