It's a real shame. For a while, I really thought that EA finally got it. That they finally realised how to properly combat piracy (non-invasive DRM) and second hand sales (offer incentives for new buyers). Unfortunately, their approach to the new Tiger Woods game shows that I was wrong and that EA are still very much experimenting. Unfortunately, their efforts are going in a very bad direction.
In brief, in order to encourage new sales, you will only be able to play Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 online if you have an Online Pass. New copies of the game will include a one time code for the Online Pass and if you buy used, then you will need to buy the Online Pass separately if you want to play online. Which is bollocks.
I don't mind EA including extra DLC for those who purchased new. The key distinction is that the extra DLC should be just that - extra. For example, new buyers of ME2 would get the Cerberus Network which would get you some free downloadable content. Naturally, people will argue that all this means is that content was kept out of the game for inclusion as day one DLC. I can't comment on whether this is the case. All I can do is look at the game without the DLC and decide if that game is worth it.
However, what EA have done with the new Tiger Woods game is to remove a core element of the game and make it available only to people who buy the game new or pay extra for the privilege. Granted, opinions will differ on this but it seems to me that multiplayer in a sports game is not a value added extra. In the modern era of console gaming, multiplayer is not the exception - it is the norm.
Also, factor in the fact that people are already paying money to Microsoft for an Xbox live gold subscription in order to play online in the first place. The net result of this is that it feels like a double dip from EA.
Hopefully, this is just a one-off experiment from EA and doesn't expand to other games. Unfortunately, the cynic in me knows that EA won't see any backlash in sales as a result of this decision as most of the buying public just don't care enough about these issues.
I also can't help but wonder if this is a more general move in the market. I know that publishers have long looked at how they can monetize the multiplayer crowd (particularly those who buy a game and then play for 200+ hours online) and the idea of charging for singleplayer and multiplayer separately has been raised before. I just hope this doesn't happen.
Speaking for myself, I enjoy multiplayer games as well but do find that most of my time is spent on singleplayer. If the multiplayer portion of a game is charged separately, what will likely happen is that I cut multiplayer out altogether and stick to singleplayer. Which would be a shame.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Aladuchar - Fall of the Paragons
The plan worked!
Kardol attacked with his forces and, although they took a heavy beating, they were able to keep the Darkspawn engaged while my smaller group sneaked across. Making our way deeper into the Dead Trenches, we came across Hespith, formerly of the House of Branka. The poor woman appears to have lost her sanity. If the tale she told us has any truth, then I can scarce blame her.
The good news we got from Hespith was that Branka was still alive. However, if her ravings are to be believed, the bad news may also be that Branka is still alive.
Could it be true - did Branka really allow members of her House to become a Broodmother? Is Branka breeding Darkspawn?
Brankas Broodmother
***********************************************
Well, it turned out that Hespith did indeed speak the truth. After killing the broodmother, we finally found Branka. Or rather, she found us. The bitch almost dropped half a mountain on our head in closing off the passage behind us. Somehow, she had found her way to a ridge up above us and when we challenged her, we finally found out the reason for her actions.
Branka tries to justify her actions
She is trying to find the Anvil of the Void and recreate the Golem army. Unfortunately, Caridin had protected the Anvil with so many traps that she needed more bodies to run the Guantlet set by Caridin so many years ago. While I understand her desire to find the Anvil and bring back the glory days of the Dwarven empire, she has clearly lost all sense of perspective.
Dwarves fight the Darkspawn - we do not breed them. For a paragon to lose sight of this is unthinkable. And yet this is what I must deal with. How can I take her back to the Assembly now?
Regardless, I do not need to decide yet. With Branka sealing the passage behind us, we have no choice but to run Caridin's Gauntlet ourselves.
Facing one of Caridin's numerous traps
***********************************************
By the Stone, I wish I had never come back to Orzammar. My actions have now seen the death of the only two living Paragons.
We made our way through all the traps set by Caridin until we came across Caridin himself. The old Paragon was still alive! He had turned himself into a Golem and it was through Caridin that we learnt the secret of the Anvil.
The Anvil of the Void does not create Golems. It turns existing dwarves into Golems!
Caridin - cursed with eternal life for his actions
Caridin, after being turned into a Golem himself, could see that the Anvil was too dangerous to use. He saw the danger that the Anvil represented and rightfully sealed off the Anvil from the world. Alas, I had now opened that path. With the Anvil on the cusp of recovery by the Dwarves, I agreed to destroy the Anvil.
Alas Branka, taking the opportunity offered by my clearing all the traps, showed herself at this point. With her mad desire to possess the Anvil, it was no surprise that she was not happy to learn of our decision to destroy the Anvil.
Although it pained me to do so, I had no choice. I raised my arms against a Paragon. Together with Caridin, we defeated Branka. For my help, Caridin has fashioned me a crown to present to the new king of Orzammar and, true to my word, I destroyed the Anvil. Caridin, with no more purpose left in his life, jumped into the lava below and finally ended his own pitiful life.
Branka leaves me no choice but to fight and kill her
There is nothing left to do but return to Orzammar. With both Branka and Caridin dead, the Assembly will not be happy with my return.
Kardol attacked with his forces and, although they took a heavy beating, they were able to keep the Darkspawn engaged while my smaller group sneaked across. Making our way deeper into the Dead Trenches, we came across Hespith, formerly of the House of Branka. The poor woman appears to have lost her sanity. If the tale she told us has any truth, then I can scarce blame her.
The good news we got from Hespith was that Branka was still alive. However, if her ravings are to be believed, the bad news may also be that Branka is still alive.
Could it be true - did Branka really allow members of her House to become a Broodmother? Is Branka breeding Darkspawn?
Brankas Broodmother
***********************************************
Well, it turned out that Hespith did indeed speak the truth. After killing the broodmother, we finally found Branka. Or rather, she found us. The bitch almost dropped half a mountain on our head in closing off the passage behind us. Somehow, she had found her way to a ridge up above us and when we challenged her, we finally found out the reason for her actions.
Branka tries to justify her actions
She is trying to find the Anvil of the Void and recreate the Golem army. Unfortunately, Caridin had protected the Anvil with so many traps that she needed more bodies to run the Guantlet set by Caridin so many years ago. While I understand her desire to find the Anvil and bring back the glory days of the Dwarven empire, she has clearly lost all sense of perspective.
Dwarves fight the Darkspawn - we do not breed them. For a paragon to lose sight of this is unthinkable. And yet this is what I must deal with. How can I take her back to the Assembly now?
Regardless, I do not need to decide yet. With Branka sealing the passage behind us, we have no choice but to run Caridin's Gauntlet ourselves.
Facing one of Caridin's numerous traps
***********************************************
By the Stone, I wish I had never come back to Orzammar. My actions have now seen the death of the only two living Paragons.
We made our way through all the traps set by Caridin until we came across Caridin himself. The old Paragon was still alive! He had turned himself into a Golem and it was through Caridin that we learnt the secret of the Anvil.
The Anvil of the Void does not create Golems. It turns existing dwarves into Golems!
Caridin - cursed with eternal life for his actions
Caridin, after being turned into a Golem himself, could see that the Anvil was too dangerous to use. He saw the danger that the Anvil represented and rightfully sealed off the Anvil from the world. Alas, I had now opened that path. With the Anvil on the cusp of recovery by the Dwarves, I agreed to destroy the Anvil.
Alas Branka, taking the opportunity offered by my clearing all the traps, showed herself at this point. With her mad desire to possess the Anvil, it was no surprise that she was not happy to learn of our decision to destroy the Anvil.
Although it pained me to do so, I had no choice. I raised my arms against a Paragon. Together with Caridin, we defeated Branka. For my help, Caridin has fashioned me a crown to present to the new king of Orzammar and, true to my word, I destroyed the Anvil. Caridin, with no more purpose left in his life, jumped into the lava below and finally ended his own pitiful life.
Branka leaves me no choice but to fight and kill her
There is nothing left to do but return to Orzammar. With both Branka and Caridin dead, the Assembly will not be happy with my return.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Aladuchar - the Deep Roads
Wow - it has been a long time since I had an opportunity to update this journal.
Things have been hectic lately. After our meeting with Lord Harrowmont, we helped to solidify his position in the Assembly by eliminating a group of Dust Town thugs led by a casteless dwarf named Jarvia. That Jarvia even had the temerity to operate outside of Dust Town shows how bad the situation in Orzammar has become. A new king must be appointed soon before my home tears itself apart.
With the elimination of Jarvia and her band of thugs, Harrowmont believed that he had sufficient sway in the Assembly to win the vote. However, I wasn't so sure. In particular, I felt that Lords Odell, Medra and Dace would still vote for Bhelen. With their influence, victory for Harrowmont was not assured and we needed to find another way to sway the Assembly. We were almost at our wits end when a stray comment from Harrowmont gave me an idea.
In a moment of frustration, Harrowmont had called upon the Stone and the Paragons to curse Bhelen (a sentiment I freely share!). A Paragon was exactly what we needed now. A Paragon would be the key decider that would break the deadlock in the Assembly. Unfortunately, the last living Paragon, Branka, had gone into the Deep Roads almost two years ago in search of an ancient artifact and had not been seen since. Everyone presumed her dead after such a long absence. However, Branka had taken her entire House with her. If anything could survive in the Deep Roads for two years, it would be an entire House of Dwarven warriors.
Regardless, we have little choice. We desperately need to find a way to break the deadlock in the Assembly. Hopefully, Branka is still alive. I met her briefly several years ago when she was elevated to Paragon status and I believe I will be able to convince her to join her voice with mine in the Assembly. So it was we ventured once more into the Deep Roads.
Leliana scouts ahead for traps
The Deep Roads themselves seem to be infested with Darkspawn - much more than is usual this close to the city. Alistair says it is because of the Blight. It would appear that the Darkspawn are massing in the tunnels and will soon be ready to invade the surface in force. If so, then our task has become that much more urgent. If we are to stop the Blight, we will need to locate Branka quickly.
One thing is sure. There is no longer any doubt that this is indeed a Blight. We saw the Archdemon. Alas, without an army, we were in no position to fight and had to hide while it passed by.
The Archdemon will have to wait ... for now
We eventually came across a unit from the Legion of the Dead. Kardol, the commander of the unit, confirmed that Branka had come through two years ago. We are on the right track! However, with the increase in Darkspawn numbers, there may be no way for us to push ahead. The Legion of the Dead have been guarding a deep chasm with only one large bridge across. The Darkspawn are massed on the other side but so far, Kardol and his men have been able to hold the bridge and repulse each Darkspawn attack. The problem is that, with the sheer numbers of Darkspawn on the opposite side of the bridge, there is no way for my team to get across.
However, while I doubt our team of four will be able to assist Kardol in any meaningful way, I have hope that he may be able to assist us. Kardol has agreed to attack the Darkspawn and charge across the bridge. With this diversion, Alistair, Morrigan, Leliana and myself may be able to sneak across. Many of his men will perish in this attack but as Kardol himself said - they are already dead.
Anyway, I should hurry - even as I write this, I can see that Kardol has finished briefing his men and we will soon start our push across the bridge.
Defeding the bridge with the Legion of the Dead
Quick postscript.
I am worried about Leliana. Lately, she has seemed a little bloodthirsty and I wonder if she has been tainted with Darkspawn blood. Hopefully, this is not the case. Possibly, she is merely losing herself in the constant combat which we have seen in the Deep Roads. I imagine it also hasn't been easy for her to spend so much time underground.
Leliana beheads a Carta mage
We tried to tell Leliana that the Ogre was dead but I don't think she heard us
Things have been hectic lately. After our meeting with Lord Harrowmont, we helped to solidify his position in the Assembly by eliminating a group of Dust Town thugs led by a casteless dwarf named Jarvia. That Jarvia even had the temerity to operate outside of Dust Town shows how bad the situation in Orzammar has become. A new king must be appointed soon before my home tears itself apart.
With the elimination of Jarvia and her band of thugs, Harrowmont believed that he had sufficient sway in the Assembly to win the vote. However, I wasn't so sure. In particular, I felt that Lords Odell, Medra and Dace would still vote for Bhelen. With their influence, victory for Harrowmont was not assured and we needed to find another way to sway the Assembly. We were almost at our wits end when a stray comment from Harrowmont gave me an idea.
In a moment of frustration, Harrowmont had called upon the Stone and the Paragons to curse Bhelen (a sentiment I freely share!). A Paragon was exactly what we needed now. A Paragon would be the key decider that would break the deadlock in the Assembly. Unfortunately, the last living Paragon, Branka, had gone into the Deep Roads almost two years ago in search of an ancient artifact and had not been seen since. Everyone presumed her dead after such a long absence. However, Branka had taken her entire House with her. If anything could survive in the Deep Roads for two years, it would be an entire House of Dwarven warriors.
Regardless, we have little choice. We desperately need to find a way to break the deadlock in the Assembly. Hopefully, Branka is still alive. I met her briefly several years ago when she was elevated to Paragon status and I believe I will be able to convince her to join her voice with mine in the Assembly. So it was we ventured once more into the Deep Roads.
Leliana scouts ahead for traps
The Deep Roads themselves seem to be infested with Darkspawn - much more than is usual this close to the city. Alistair says it is because of the Blight. It would appear that the Darkspawn are massing in the tunnels and will soon be ready to invade the surface in force. If so, then our task has become that much more urgent. If we are to stop the Blight, we will need to locate Branka quickly.
One thing is sure. There is no longer any doubt that this is indeed a Blight. We saw the Archdemon. Alas, without an army, we were in no position to fight and had to hide while it passed by.
The Archdemon will have to wait ... for now
We eventually came across a unit from the Legion of the Dead. Kardol, the commander of the unit, confirmed that Branka had come through two years ago. We are on the right track! However, with the increase in Darkspawn numbers, there may be no way for us to push ahead. The Legion of the Dead have been guarding a deep chasm with only one large bridge across. The Darkspawn are massed on the other side but so far, Kardol and his men have been able to hold the bridge and repulse each Darkspawn attack. The problem is that, with the sheer numbers of Darkspawn on the opposite side of the bridge, there is no way for my team to get across.
However, while I doubt our team of four will be able to assist Kardol in any meaningful way, I have hope that he may be able to assist us. Kardol has agreed to attack the Darkspawn and charge across the bridge. With this diversion, Alistair, Morrigan, Leliana and myself may be able to sneak across. Many of his men will perish in this attack but as Kardol himself said - they are already dead.
Anyway, I should hurry - even as I write this, I can see that Kardol has finished briefing his men and we will soon start our push across the bridge.
Defeding the bridge with the Legion of the Dead
Quick postscript.
I am worried about Leliana. Lately, she has seemed a little bloodthirsty and I wonder if she has been tainted with Darkspawn blood. Hopefully, this is not the case. Possibly, she is merely losing herself in the constant combat which we have seen in the Deep Roads. I imagine it also hasn't been easy for her to spend so much time underground.
Leliana beheads a Carta mage
We tried to tell Leliana that the Ogre was dead but I don't think she heard us
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Aladuchar - the prodigal son returns
Orzammar.
Despite all my troubles, the Dwarven capital is still my home. And it breaks my heart to see the state that she is now in. With fathers death, the city has been plunged into chaos. It appears that both Bhelen and Harrowmont are contesting the throne and the political upheaval is spilling onto the streets.
As we arrived, there was an open fight in the streets between the two factions which only ended when blood stained the stone. And the Guard did nothing. Orzammar has always been rough, as befits a Dwarven city, but open murder in the street? I have only been away a year - how could things have gotten so bad?
Murder greets the prodigal son as he returns
We went directly to Harrowmont's estate in order to get an audience with Lord Harrowmont but were denied. It appears that the man is afraid for his life and is seeing no-one. All business is being conducted by his second in command, Dulin Forender. I would have expected such cowardice from that cur, Bhelen, but it is worrying to see that even Harrowmont has become so paranoid and is hiding in his home like an old woman.
Dulin was not at the Harrowmont estate but we were told that we could find him in Tapsters Tavern. On the way there, we ran into Mardy, a noble seeker with an interesting tale. It appears that I slept with her a year ago when I first received my commission. I have no recollection of her although I recall the occasion fondly.
At the time, a glory Proving had been organised in my honour to celebrate my commission. With my prowess in combat, I had been able to win the Proving easily. Afterwards, I had gathered several noble seekers and we had enjoyed ourselves into the wee hours of the morning. Good times.
Perhaps too good as it appears that Mardy became pregnant and has since given birth to my son!
Poor Mardy. I can only imagine her initial joy at finally having a chance to join the ranks of the nobles only for that dream to be smashed when I was exiled. Unfortunately, my son also joins in my shame. With no name and no caste, the baby borne of our union is doomed to wander the streets of Orzammar with no prospects.
I don't know how - but I will find a way to help him.
Mardy the noble seeker
As expected, we found Dulin in Tapsters Taven. Unfortunately, he didn't know much about how my father died but was able to promise me an audience with Lord Harrowmont if I could show my allegiance to Harrowmont.
Dulin briefs us on the grim situation in Orzammar
The problem with the succession is that both Harrowmont and Bhelen have equal supporters in the Assembly. Lord Harrowmont claims that Endrin, with his dying breath, had proclaimed that Harrowmont should be the next King. Unfortunately, there were no witnesses to this and Bhelen was claiming that he, being the last son of Endrin Aeduchan, should be the next King. With the Assembly in deadlock, a glory proving had been organised to show which side had the support of the Ancestors.
Unfortunately for Lord Harrowmont, his two top fighters had decided to pull out of the glory proving. Clearly, the work of that cur Bhelen. Dulin had hoped that I could convince their top two fighters to re-enter the proving.
Fool! The best fighter that the Proving had ever seen was standing in front of him and all he could think about was how to get his own fighters back in the arena!
Anyway, I decided that it would be easy for me to win the Proving in Harrowmont's name. Certainly easier than tracking all over Orzammar trying to convince his top two fighters to re-enter the Proving at any rate! And besides, it would be good to remind the people of Orzammar of what they had lost when I left.
Piotin Aeduchan challenges me in the Proving
And so it was that the crowds of Orzammar once more welcomed their champion in the Proving. I progressed through the Proving with relative ease and even faced little Piotin in the final round (except that he is not so little now). My young cousin has done well for himself. He is known as the "Horn of the Aeduchan army" although clearly, such accolades would not have fallen to him had I remained.
Despite never having beaten me before when we were growing up, the fool actually thought he could best me. I soon blunted his horns and showed the crowd what a true Aeduchan could do in battle.
Once again, the crowd cheers for Aladuchar Aeduchan!
All told, I won the glory Proving with laughable ease. While Piotin and the other dwarves may fare well against the Darkspawn, I have faced and defeated Dragons. There is little in Orzammar that can challenge me.
Lord Harrowmont has aged in the year that I have been gone
With the glory Proving showing my skill and my support of Harrowmont, Dulin kept his word. I finally got to see Lord Harrowmont and learn the truth of my father's demise. What surprises me is that father did not die from Bhelen's hand. I had felt sure that there had been some kind of foul treachery involved - possibly even poison. How else could Endrin have passed away so quickly considering he had been in good health when I left?
However, Harrowmont assures me that this wasn't possible as he had been with Endrin constantly. Harrowmont believes that Endrin had lost his will after exiling me, that Endrin knew that I had been framed but had exiled me anyway as he had no proof of my innocence. And that this guilt, together with his understanding of Bhelens treachery, had been enough to break his spirit.
I don't know what to make of this. Could it be true? On one hand, I feel glad that at least father knew that I had not dishonoured the family name. But then, for this to break his spirit?
Could father truly have been so weak?
Despite all my troubles, the Dwarven capital is still my home. And it breaks my heart to see the state that she is now in. With fathers death, the city has been plunged into chaos. It appears that both Bhelen and Harrowmont are contesting the throne and the political upheaval is spilling onto the streets.
As we arrived, there was an open fight in the streets between the two factions which only ended when blood stained the stone. And the Guard did nothing. Orzammar has always been rough, as befits a Dwarven city, but open murder in the street? I have only been away a year - how could things have gotten so bad?
Murder greets the prodigal son as he returns
We went directly to Harrowmont's estate in order to get an audience with Lord Harrowmont but were denied. It appears that the man is afraid for his life and is seeing no-one. All business is being conducted by his second in command, Dulin Forender. I would have expected such cowardice from that cur, Bhelen, but it is worrying to see that even Harrowmont has become so paranoid and is hiding in his home like an old woman.
Dulin was not at the Harrowmont estate but we were told that we could find him in Tapsters Tavern. On the way there, we ran into Mardy, a noble seeker with an interesting tale. It appears that I slept with her a year ago when I first received my commission. I have no recollection of her although I recall the occasion fondly.
At the time, a glory Proving had been organised in my honour to celebrate my commission. With my prowess in combat, I had been able to win the Proving easily. Afterwards, I had gathered several noble seekers and we had enjoyed ourselves into the wee hours of the morning. Good times.
Perhaps too good as it appears that Mardy became pregnant and has since given birth to my son!
Poor Mardy. I can only imagine her initial joy at finally having a chance to join the ranks of the nobles only for that dream to be smashed when I was exiled. Unfortunately, my son also joins in my shame. With no name and no caste, the baby borne of our union is doomed to wander the streets of Orzammar with no prospects.
I don't know how - but I will find a way to help him.
Mardy the noble seeker
As expected, we found Dulin in Tapsters Taven. Unfortunately, he didn't know much about how my father died but was able to promise me an audience with Lord Harrowmont if I could show my allegiance to Harrowmont.
Dulin briefs us on the grim situation in Orzammar
The problem with the succession is that both Harrowmont and Bhelen have equal supporters in the Assembly. Lord Harrowmont claims that Endrin, with his dying breath, had proclaimed that Harrowmont should be the next King. Unfortunately, there were no witnesses to this and Bhelen was claiming that he, being the last son of Endrin Aeduchan, should be the next King. With the Assembly in deadlock, a glory proving had been organised to show which side had the support of the Ancestors.
Unfortunately for Lord Harrowmont, his two top fighters had decided to pull out of the glory proving. Clearly, the work of that cur Bhelen. Dulin had hoped that I could convince their top two fighters to re-enter the proving.
Fool! The best fighter that the Proving had ever seen was standing in front of him and all he could think about was how to get his own fighters back in the arena!
Anyway, I decided that it would be easy for me to win the Proving in Harrowmont's name. Certainly easier than tracking all over Orzammar trying to convince his top two fighters to re-enter the Proving at any rate! And besides, it would be good to remind the people of Orzammar of what they had lost when I left.
Piotin Aeduchan challenges me in the Proving
And so it was that the crowds of Orzammar once more welcomed their champion in the Proving. I progressed through the Proving with relative ease and even faced little Piotin in the final round (except that he is not so little now). My young cousin has done well for himself. He is known as the "Horn of the Aeduchan army" although clearly, such accolades would not have fallen to him had I remained.
Despite never having beaten me before when we were growing up, the fool actually thought he could best me. I soon blunted his horns and showed the crowd what a true Aeduchan could do in battle.
Once again, the crowd cheers for Aladuchar Aeduchan!
All told, I won the glory Proving with laughable ease. While Piotin and the other dwarves may fare well against the Darkspawn, I have faced and defeated Dragons. There is little in Orzammar that can challenge me.
Lord Harrowmont has aged in the year that I have been gone
With the glory Proving showing my skill and my support of Harrowmont, Dulin kept his word. I finally got to see Lord Harrowmont and learn the truth of my father's demise. What surprises me is that father did not die from Bhelen's hand. I had felt sure that there had been some kind of foul treachery involved - possibly even poison. How else could Endrin have passed away so quickly considering he had been in good health when I left?
However, Harrowmont assures me that this wasn't possible as he had been with Endrin constantly. Harrowmont believes that Endrin had lost his will after exiling me, that Endrin knew that I had been framed but had exiled me anyway as he had no proof of my innocence. And that this guilt, together with his understanding of Bhelens treachery, had been enough to break his spirit.
I don't know what to make of this. Could it be true? On one hand, I feel glad that at least father knew that I had not dishonoured the family name. But then, for this to break his spirit?
Could father truly have been so weak?
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