Dragon Age: Inquisition Drops Support For "Last-Gen" Consoles

[Steven Bogos]

Dragon Age: Inquisition Drops Support For "Last-Gen" Consoles

All future Dragon Age: Inquisition DLC will be exclusive to the Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

Have you been enjoying the next DLC drop? [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/tag/view/dragon%20age%20inquisition] Well, I'm afraid I've got a bit of a good-news bad-news situation for you. The bad news is that all future DLC for the game will be released exclusively for current gen platforms, that is, the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The good news is that Bioware has implemented a "save transfer" feature for the last-gen versions of the game, which should allow you to seamlessly upgrade to current-gen.


Bioware has put together this handy guide [http://www.dragonage.com/en_US/news/save-importer] for transferring over your save data between platforms, though it does come with a few caveats. You can only transfer from a PS3 to a PS4, or an Xbox 360 to an Xbox One. There is currently no way to transfer save data to a PC. You can transfer a save as many times as you want, and if you happened to have bought any DLC for the last-gen version of the game, you'll actually get it for your current-gen copy completely free of charge.

While it is a bit sad that support for the older consoles is being dropped, it should mean that future DLC will come out faster, and be all the more polished, as Bioware won't have to worry about "downgrading" it for inferior hardware.

At least the save transfer tool has been provided to help those who wanted to continue their Dragon Age journey.

Source: Bioware [http://www.dragonage.com/en_US/news/save-importer]

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[Starke]

Anyone else know of a case where the DLC schedule for a game changed systems after release like this? And, I don't just mean in a, "well, this is going to be an exclusive/timed exclusive for those guys over there," kind of way.

 

[-Dragmire-]

Spoiler: EDIT: post no longer relevant

All future Dragon Age: Inquisition [-blank-] will be exclusive to the Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

Heads up, you're missing a word here. Probably something like 'DLC' or 'content'.

Ex: "... Inquisition DLC will..."

 

[Estarc]

I bought the game on PS4. In fact, I bought a PS4 specifically so I wouldn't have to worry about the PS3 hardware holding the game back. But this is total bullshit. You don't do a cross-generation release and then drop support for the old generation halfway through the DLC period. That's fucked. The game shouldn't have been brought the the older consoles at all if this was a possibility. And I don't believe for a second that someone at Bioware/EA wasn't seriously considering this possibility for some time before the game released.

 

[Saetha]

Okay, does EA just literally not give a shit about their reputation, or are they just reeaaallly this dumb?

Or is the entire thing BioWare's fault? God, I can't help but feel like no one knew what they were doing with this game. Everything from marketing to design has just felt all over the place.

 

[BloodRed Pixel]

Well EA, just when one thought you changed, you take the money and then you really f+++ your customers.

 

[Dragonzeanse]

This should have been disclosed ahead of time. While extra content is still going to cost people their hard-earned cash, the game was likely bought by owners of last-gen consoles with the expectation that there would be post-launch content available for purchase. If they've hit a snag and decided that now, they're not going to support the last-gen systems, then that's on them, as far as I'm concerned.

Regardless, it's becoming pretty obvious that if people haven't upgraded systems yet, they'd better do so soon. The last-gen is on life support at this point, for better or worse. I don't think people should consider buying a new console yet, but if the industry is going to collectively decide for the consumer that they should buy a PS4 or Xbox One now, then what choice do people have?

I'm really glad I jumped ship to PC gaming. I still think people should consider investing in that, instead, but can understand why they'd be hesitant.

 

[Imre Csete]

Anyone else know of a case where the DLC schedule for a game changed systems after release like this? And, I don't just mean in a, "well, this is going to be an exclusive/timed exclusive for those guys over there," kind of way.

Well not systems, but they axed the Eastern European versions of Lair of the Shadow Broker and The Arrival DLCs for ME2, so if you got that version of the game, the DLCs wouldn't install. Although you can add your stuff to Origin now and not bother with going through hoops to registry edit your version on PC, but it was a huge dick move when it happened. They dropped that region from their regionalization plans a few months prior in 2010. That's EA for you.

 

[bat32391]

What the hell was even the point for developing it for last gen then? The game looks and runs like complete ass on the 360 and now you've completely cut off support for it. Why the hell didn't Bioware just focus on next next-gen?

 

[Starke]

Okay, does EA just literally not give a shit about their reputation, or are they just reeaaallly this dumb?

Or is the entire thing BioWare's fault? God, I can't help but feel like no one knew what they were doing with this game. Everything from marketing to design has just felt all over the place.

Combine that with the part where the second content DLC is going to be over a year after launch. Along with grumbling that the actual story doesn't have a real resolution. I know, you fight the final boss, but, there's no real final act, "just, maybe we should hunt down the villain now, oh, wait, nevermind, he just rung the doorbell and made an arena in the sky to fight in." So, the DLC that's not coming to 360 and PS3 is the stuff that actually resolves some of the plot elements like, "why the hell was the villain even in the game?" Or "what was bald dude #362 doing?" Though, at the same time, I kinda doubt they're actually willing to offer any resolution or answers. Because, lately, Bioware's writing seems to have degenerated into a teenager mode of, "if I don't explain it, it'll be mysterious and deep 'n shit. Ooooh MYSTERIES!"

Anyone else know of a case where the DLC schedule for a game changed systems after release like this? And, I don't just mean in a, "well, this is going to be an exclusive/timed exclusive for those guys over there," kind of way.

Well not systems, but they axed the Eastern European versions of Lair of the Shadow Broker and The Arrival DLCs for ME2, so if you got that version of the game, the DLCs wouldn't install. Although you can add your stuff to Origin now and not bother with going through hoops to registry edit your version on PC, but it was a huge dick move when it happened. They dropped that region from their regionalization plans a few months prior in 2010. That's EA for you.

Yeah, I'm thinking about a game like, say, Dead Space 3 or Fallout 3 going, mid DLC release, "nope, all future DLC is going to be 360 exclusive."

 

[Ten Foot Bunny]

It's pretty sleazy that they're abandoning the previous generation partway through the DLC cycle, considering they bothered to make a last-gen version of the game in the first place. This is now officially worse than what WB did with the shitty cash grab that was the last-gen Shadow of Mordor: WB released that pathetic excuse of a downgraded game, but didn't release ANY DLC for older consoles. EA is pulling a bait-and-switch with DA:I, yanking support so that 360 and PS3 owners now have to re-buy everything they bought previously in order to finish their games.

Here's the real kicker: I had AC4 and all of its DLC on the 360 (except for the useless speed-up packs). Someone gave me the One version of AC4, and all of the DLC I previously purchased for the 360 was free. FREE! I can't believe I'm elevating Ubisoft as an example of quality customer service, but it's obvious that they weren't double dipping with that game.

Now let's compare that to what EA is doing here. I got the 360 version of DA:I for Christmas and bought the $20 ultimate edition upgrade DLC. Since I got an Xbone in April, I went out two weeks ago and bought a used copy of the current-gen DA:I, and guess what? Cough up ANOTHER $20 if I want that DLC on my Xbone! I feel really bad for anyone who bought all of the 360 and PS3 DLC released to date - they have to re-buy absolutely everything because, if you think about it, they'll lose any items they're carrying/wearing that were exclusive to the DLC, as well as losing access to any DLC quests and locations. What good are transferred save files without the content on which those save files rely?

"Sorry, we need another $90 for you to finish the game you started, but Hey! at least it looks prettier!"

Fuck you too, EA.

 

[Elfgore]

I believe I speak for our previous gen console owners when I say, "Go fuck yourselves with a ten foot dildo, EA!" Seriously, this looks really shitty. Like you just got their sixty bucks and fifteen dollars for the Jaws of Hakkan, then calling it a day. This is why people don't like you.

 

[Hairless Mammoth]

I'm not too big of a fan of what DLC has become, but this is a damned low blow from EA to their 7th gen paying customers. This is something you only do if you warn customers, in big, bright letters, on the box/store page that the older generation may not get all of the DLC. Even then, it's a bit questionable to pull the rug out from under people who may just have barely enough in their budget to buy the DLC on their only console that runs DA:I.

Someone at EA must have seen the sales numbers for PS3 and 360. Then, they figured it would be cheaper to not have to pay the programers and artists to make the DLC functional (and pay whatever fees MS/Sony charges) for the older consoles, rather than make money off the DLC sales for last gen. Stay classy, EA.

 

[Made in China]

Well, EA has returned to its rightful place in the shit list. Good job, guys.
The thing is, I don't even like DA:I. But you can't do that and think you can get away with it - if you've started developing for one console, finish the God damn job. If it's too limiting, you should've thought about it from the start, and it may affect future projects - but you can't just leave your customers hanging.

So, there have been 2 EA games I've been looking for, Mirror's Edge and the already lackluster Battlefront. I've now decided that fuck it, I'm boycotting it. I won't buy, rent or keep my interest in them. I'm not going to walk straight into a trap and expect I won't get hurt. EA has brought this on themselves.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

Keep in mind, this is a company that is trying to sell their games as services and now they're trying to force always online and shitty DRM on PC. And I'm supposed to give them my money?

 

[ecoho]

so just want to point out that both the PS3 and 360 versions sucked, were returned a lot, and generally did not make the money that the XB one and PS4 did. Always remember customer loyalty only goes so far, if your losing more money then your making trying to keep a significantly lower number of people happy its most likely time to cut off the limb so to speak.

 

[kuolonen]

So PC gamers get slapped in the face with plague that is Denovo DRM and console gamers get this little gem on their lap? How much ill will can one title be made to generate?

Jeez, EA really is trying its' best to get their "Worst comapny in America" -title back isn't it?

 

[CaptainMarvelous]

So, uhh... I don't remember if this happened, did Dragon Age Inquisition have a Season Pass? Becauuuuuse that's... kinda important.

 

[Gordon_4_v1legacy]

It's pretty sleazy that they're abandoning the previous generation partway through the DLC cycle, considering they bothered to make a last-gen version of the game in the first place. This is now officially worse than what WB did with the shitty cash grab that was the last-gen Shadow of Mordor: WB released that pathetic excuse of a downgraded game, but didn't release ANY DLC for older consoles. EA is pulling a bait-and-switch with DA:I, yanking support so that 360 and PS3 owners now have to re-buy everything they bought previously in order to finish their games.

Here's the real kicker: I had AC4 and all of its DLC on the 360 (except for the useless speed-up packs). Someone gave me the One version of AC4, and all of the DLC I previously purchased for the 360 was free. FREE! I can't believe I'm elevating Ubisoft as an example of quality customer service, but it's obvious that they weren't double dipping with that game.

Now let's compare that to what EA is doing here. I got the 360 version of DA:I for Christmas and bought the $20 ultimate edition upgrade DLC. Since I got an Xbone in April, I went out two weeks ago and bought a used copy of the current-gen DA:I, and guess what? Cough up ANOTHER $20 if I want that DLC on my Xbone! I feel really bad for anyone who bought all of the 360 and PS3 DLC released to date - they have to re-buy absolutely everything because, if you think about it, they'll lose any items they're carrying/wearing that were exclusive to the DLC, as well as losing access to any DLC quests and locations. What good are transferred save files without the content on which those save files rely?

"Sorry, we need another $90 for you to finish the game you started, but Hey! at least it looks prettier!"

Fuck you too, EA.

Uh, the third paragraph of the story says that EA is doing the same thing; any previously purchased DLC on the old platform is free on the new platform - though it is manufacturer specific but that's to be expected.