For the hardcore grinders out there still slogging their way through BioWare's Dragon Age: Origins, a new patch has been released today addressing some Direct X issues as well as updates the EA Download Manager authentication with the one used by EA's new Origin service.

Dragon Age: Origins was succeeded by Dragon Age 2, though its arguable the sequel was anything but successful in sating the Dragon Age fanbase.

You can grab the new patch locally from AusGamers by clicking here, and while we have you, drop us a line in the Comments to let us know if you're still playing.

The BioWare guys have announced a web video series based on Dragon Age:

In Dragon Age: Redemption, Day stars as Tallis, an Elven assassin hired by the Qunari to capture a rogue mage intent on wreaking havoc throughout the world. In her quest to find this dangerous mage, Tallis is joined by other companions who are not always aligned in their beliefs and goals, but who band together to defeat their foe, in an attempt to restore peace and balance to this dark fantasy universe.

I can live with this. For those wondering who Felicia Day is, please consult the following:


promoted/edited forum item - photo credit: Lan Bui

Update - Here's her looking appropriately geeky in character

BioWare have revealed they'll be bundling together Dragon Age: Origins, Awakening and all content add-ons in a single retail bundle on October 26.

The Dragon Age: Origins Ultimate Edition will be released for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 for one low price (not sure about Australia yet). And the BioWare Ultimate Edition page claims there's more than US$114 worth of content which I presume would amount to a lot any other time than right now, where our exchange rate to the US is practically 1:1 - so here's hoping we don't get shafted on this.

Dragon Age 2 is due for release next year, so now could be a good time to prepare yourself.

BioWare have given up details regarding the next round of downloadable content for Dragon Age: Origins. "Witch Hunt" will be made available for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 September 7 and will set you back 560MS or BioWare Points or around $7 on PS3.

The dreaded Archdemon has been slain and the advance of the darkspawn halted by a lone, heroic Grey Warden. The kingdom rejoices, but at least one question remains: what happened to Morrigan? The sorceress joined the Wardens cause, but it is said her true purpose was not revealed until the eve of the last battle. She vanished into the shadows, and while rumors claimed she crossed over the mountains into Orlais no trace of her path could be found. She was never heard from again... until now.

Key features for this new content include:

• Confront Morrigan in this dramatic conclusion to the Origins storyline
• Earn powerful rewards that transfer into your Awakening and Origins campaign
• Import your character from Origins or Awakening or create a new, high-level hero!

Check out three new screens for the content below, or click on them for larger versions.

Just because they're hard at work on the revitalised sequel doesn't mean BioWare are forgetting about the current release.

The Dragon Age website has information for the next bout of DLC headed to their popular RPG fantasy world called "Golems of Amgarrak".

Delve deep underground to save a missing dwarven expedition in search of ancient secrets for creating monstrous constructs. Only you can uncover the gruesome fate that befell them.

Put your Warden back in action and adventure through new environments, meet new characters and defeat never before seen creatures. With an engrossing new storyline and challenging puzzles this is one add-on you don't want to miss!

• Import your character from Origins or Awakening or create a new, high-level hero!
• Face an all-new terrifying creature
• Earn powerful rewards that transfer into your Awakening and Origins campaign
• An advanced challenge for even the most experienced adventurers

I wish more companies followed BioWare's aggressive and proactive post-release model.

The Dragon Age: Origins website now has The Darkspawn Chronicles DLC available for purchase - for Xbox 360 and PC, anyway; the PS3 version is still coming soon (pricing, in USD: $5 [400 BioWare Points, 400 MS Points, $4.99 PSN]). From the page:

Play as the darkspawn! The city of Denerim, jewel of Ferelden, girds itself for war. As a hurlock vanguard, you alone hold the power to make thralls of your fellow darkspawn and drive them into the heat of battle. Heed the archdemon's call--Denerim must burn!

Key Features:
- A look at an alternate history: what if your character had died in the Joining ceremony, and the Grey Wardens marched under Alistair's command instead?
- Command genlocks, hurlocks, shrieks, and even the mighty ogres.
- Complete the module and unlock an epic Darkspawn item in DA:O and Awakening.
- Requires Dragon Age: Origins to play.

We have a new patch up for the PC version of Dragon Age: Origins, BioWare's deep RPG romp which has garnered a lot of love as the closest thing to BioWare working on Baldur's Gate again (even the good Dr Greg Zeschuck confirmed this for us).

There are a ton of fixes here (too many to list in this news post), but you can scroll through them all as listed on our download page, but chief among them are balance addresses, plot updates, PC control updates and a handful of new gameplay fixes and updates.

Grab the patch right here.