The Kill Kast is back again and we hope to start a new streak of consecutive podcasts. In Episode 14 Stephanie, Eric and Rebecca get together to talk about what they’ve been playing which includes Dragon Quest IX, StarCraft 2 and Mafia II. We go through some recent news such as Mass Effect hitting the PS3, the Windows Phone 7 and the Sony PSP phone. For our topic(s) this week we discuss last week’s Community Voice and what you all said along with our recent Staff Picks and why we love those soundtracks. We also talk about Dragon Age a whole lot, mainly why Origins is so awesome and why Dragon Age 2 has us worried. It happens. I think it’s high time we just start a separate Dragon Age podcast…

You can download and subscribe to the podcast via iTunes and let us know what you thought about the episode. Thanks for listening!

BioWare fans, you know one of the big disappointments of E3 was the lack of any news about the sequel to Dragon Age: Origins.  Never fear, friends, for today BioWare has revealed Dragon Age II. As usual, Game Informer has snagged the exclusive 10-page reveal, and those of us who don’t subscribe (or don’t have a GameStop nearby) will be forced to suffice with the bare-bones webpage BioWare has provided, which you can find here.  (more…)

This is short news, but news nonetheless!  Today on Xbox Press a listing for a Dragon Age: Origins DLC was posted.  It doesn’t say what the “Darkspawn Chronicles” DLC is about, and under the description just gives the original game’s tagline.  However, we can speculate, no?  I’m hoping for something prequel-ish, but that’s wishful fanboyism.  Or maybe the tale of young Scroot?  The Darkspawn who wanted to be a Grey Warden?  Maybe?

The listing is just for Xbox users right now, though that’s obviously going to change as DLC always appears on superior systems as well.  It’s priced at 400 Microsoft Points, which is roughly 5 bucks, and slated for May 18th (smart to compete with Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Red Dead Redemption!).  More on this story as it develops.

Grey Wardens will be venturing to the land of Amaranthine in Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening, BioWare’s first expansion to the hit Dragon Age: Origins.  It is in Amaranthine that you will be embarking on a brand new 15-20 hour adventure as the Commander of the Grey, either as an imported character or a brand new Warden from Orlais.  It’s a short stint that offers new side quests, new characters and of course, a new story line.  When I first initially heard that Awakening was $40, I wondered if the price tag was worth it for more Dragon Age.  While Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening is available for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC, I played the game on the Xbox 36o and the review reflects this.

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With the unfortunate last minute release date delay, the Return to Ostagar content had the misfortune of following in the mighty footsteps of Mass Effect 2. Had it come out with time to spare before the wicked began feasting upon their precious space cargo, it may have seen better sales. I’m sure many are more than unwilling to switch back to BioWare’s “other” RPG that players may have pillaged and ransacked several times over by now. As much as I love Mass Effect from the bottom of my heart — I was willing to pop that glorious disc in and find out if it’s worth your valuable time (and money).

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BioWare has announced yet another piece of DLC goodness for their barely-two-week-old RPG Dragon Age: Origins. Return to Ostagar will, surprisingly enough, bring you back to Ostagar and allow you to take revenge upon the darkspawn and quest for King Cailan’s lost armor and weapons. Coming to PC, Xbox 360, and PS3, the Return to Ostagar DLC will be released before year’s end for $5 (400 MSP).

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On October 28th, 10:00 AM GMT, BioWare will be hosting an international gaming event called Dragon Age: Origins-Warden’s Quest. This 24 hour competition taking place in London, England will host ten four-player teams from all over the world including a team “comprised of the most loyal BioWare fans.” I don’t know why I haven’t been contacted yet… but I’m waiting BioWare. Anyway, what’s the point of this competition other than to play some sweet Dragon Age: Origins? Oh, the grand prize is $50,000 per team (that’s $12,500 each, buddy).

You can go to http://www.wardensquest.com to find the official rules. But, as of this posting, all that was up was some videos explaining the game and competition. Check it out while you’re waiting for the competition or the game to release on November 3rd for the PC, 360, and PS3.

[Source: EA via Email]

BioWare titles always have you playing as the hero in which you have the chance to create. In BioWare’s upcoming Dragon Age: Origins you will once again be able to create the hero that will save all humanity. The game is still 3 weeks away but for PC fans you can download the Character Creator right now to get ready for the release. According to the Dragon Age forums the creator will be available October 13th 10 am Mountain Standard Time.

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Electronic Arts today announced a deal with IDW publishing (30 Days of Night) to bring two of its IPs into the comic book world. Army of Two and the much anticipated Dragon Age will be the first two video games to appear under the new EA Comics imprint. The deal is different than other deals made by EA for previous video games turned into comics as EA will be handling all creative aspects of the comic and IDW in charge of printing and distribution in both retail stores and digitally.

“We’ve seen an increasing number of video game tie-ins with comics over the last few years. This marks another step in our strategy for extending EA’s wholly-owned game properties to new media. It is exhilarating to be working with the comic book creators directly,” said Mike Quigley, Group Vice President, Global Marketing, EA Games Label.

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Video game books… They are such a perilous field.  There is enough bad fantasy writing out there that they can quite easily fold themselves into the mix, but they also run the risk of tainting games that otherwise might speak to us on levels unheard of.  Dragon Age: Origins has the potential to be such a game.  For those of us descended from Baldur’s Gate fanaticism, I liken Dragon Age to a Beatles rooftop concert or something else equally epic that you’ve been waiting half a decade for. Sure, BioWare has had phenomenal games in the in-between, but there was something special about the Baldur’s Gate games that never stopped resonating through many of us.  The question is, can these books live up to the game experience?  You’d probably have to read the newest installment from David Gaider in the series, entitled Dragon Age:  The Calling, to find out.

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