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BioWare teaser counts down to March 29

EA-owned studio affixes ticking clock to Mass Effect and Dragon Age Web sites, set to expire Monday at 9 a.m. PDT.

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It's been a busy past few months for EA's Edmonton, Alberta-based studio BioWare. The role-playing game factory has released critically acclaimed installments in its preferred genre--dark fantasy Dragon Age: Origins and sci-fi space opera Mass Effect 2. Beyond that, the studio has supported both releases with substantial helpings of downloadable content. To wit, Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening hit March 16, a week before Mass Effect 2's Firewalker pack.

As a sign that things aren't likely to be slowing down any time soon at the development house, BioWare today launched a mysterious countdown timer. The countdown timer appears on Mass Effect's, Dragon Age's, and BioWare's company-wide Web sites and is set to expire on Monday, March 29 at 9 a.m. PDT.

What does BioWare have up its sleeve?
What does BioWare have up its sleeve?

So what does the countdown timer pertain to? One topic that seems like it can be ruled out is Star Wars: The Old Republic. Developed and published in conjunction with LucasArts, The Old Republic's Web site does not boast the same ticking clock that BioWare's other Web sites prominently display.

However, considering the cross-game promotion, the timer could point to BioWare's as-yet-unannounced "new next gen game." First spotted on a developer's resume in June 2009, the game is expected to be an all-new intellectual property from the Canadian studio. No other information on the project has been made available.

One other possibility is that BioWare could be gearing up to officially announce Dragon Age 2. In February, EA confirmed that the fantasy RPG would receive a new installment during its January-March 2011 quarter. Upon Awakening's release last week, BioWare included a cryptic flyer with the expansion's retail release indicating that Dragon Age 2 will dawn February 1, 2011.

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Eray17

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@AndSo Not funny.

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AndSo

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Yeah they should change their name to Bonerware. El Oh El.

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ertman420

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i might have to start jerkin off

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Dawn_oF_Doom

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Now stop, let's think about this for a minute ok? First of all the new DLCs were not so great, especially the darkspawn chronicles (total crap). Sure, Awakening was good, but it could have been a lot better if they had just added more depth and story to the characters and made it so it lasted a bit longer... like 20h more... with interesting quests and stuff. Now, on to DA2... Isn't it a bit too early? I mean for God's sake, it hasn't been even 1 year since DA:O was released. Can they really make something so cool and enticing as the first one in so little time? I mean really... especially since they invested manpower in making these DLCs too. I mean really... Third and final: now I have stated in a previous comment that Bioware has never failed me RPG-wise. After all, Bioware is known for great games that are not for everyone, but for a more mature, experienced audience. But lets not forget that Bioware is sponsored by... EA... and what is EA known for? Profit.. and tons of it. I suspect that EA is pressuring BIOWARE to release this new Dragon Age so soon in order to make a few bucks of the clients that still crave the excitement of the last DA.... I hope and pray I am wrong... and that Bioware will make an amazing, immersing and fun game.

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schulzie10

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yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa DANCEs....

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ZerZipp

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Waiting for Mass Effect 3 already .... :D

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Veive257

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awesome << LINK REMOVED >>

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Havokk

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I see it was a countdown to Bioware saying "boo yah suck" to everyone outside the USA (and also to people in Florida and NY).

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HadrianII

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Wow, most horrible use of a count down clock ever. A freakin auction? you let me down Bioware. I Really hope you guys come out with a just kidding followed by the most epic game annoucement ever later because upon seeing that stupid annoucement, I died a little inside.

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wwlettsome

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Maybe it should have been Forman...especially with as many people as are whining on their forums. Bioware gets sent back to the remedial marketing class ASAP.

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Forman1983

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Wow I'm shocked.. I thought it was a layoff for the people who worked on the Dragon age origins.. I expected more from Bioware...

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justin22corona

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wow.....it was a countdown to a bioware bazaar! way to get me all hyped over a bunch of nothing bioware....who cares about that. i wanted a new game :(

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wwlettsome

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That seems to be it...and it seems...meh. I think it was more interesting as a countdown to a site crash.

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RolielStarfire

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I think it might be this: << LINK REMOVED >>

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RolielStarfire

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BioWare's Site Message: "The BioWare websites; online store; master server; and online authentication are temporarily unavailable. Sorry folks; we're having a few technical difficulties. Those pesky Gnomes are banging away at the giant; steam-producing clockwork computers we keep in the basement guarded by Swikky the dire squirrel. We will be back up as soon as we can."

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wwlettsome

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Apparently the countdown was for the site to crash...excellent predictive ability by Bioware. Reminds me of all the glitches in DA.

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RolielStarfire

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The Clock Expired, but the Page is Down. I wonder when it will be back up!

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Rexvan-

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I still think it will be the old republic for 360 or kotor 3 =D

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relthceb

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KOTOR 3... Fallout 4... It's too early for DA2 or ME3, and a new NWN game seems unlikely because... well, Dragon Age is the new NWN game. Maybe it's Baldur's Gate redone in the DA:O engine...

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scar4ever

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My spider sense tells me that it's ME3 + DA2 combo announcement.

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XLGodd

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I'd love to see their new IP set in a Cyberpunk or ShadowRun-type setting. They're all huge fans of that stuff, and have talked for a long time about doing something along those lines. If they announce that, my heart will stop and I'll be dead long before the game comes out, though, so I don't see how it would do me much good...

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thenephariouson

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If theres any developer that has me intruiged by a countdown timer, its BioWare.

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MafiaBroad82

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And I know it's a far cry but a KotOR 3 would trump everything

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MafiaBroad82

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Oh the possibilities! I'm sure the news will be good! Any news from Bioware is usually good. Dragon Age 2 or Mass Effect 3 would take the cake, but i'm also open to anything else they may suggest!

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Gezquester

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Omg, what are they up to? I hope it's good!

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Artemios

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Interesting...i'll keep it bookmarked...for now.

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FatalFist

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fcol,...i want ToR!!!

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Jedted

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@shkar: That's what i'm thinking but i'm not getting my hopes up for any kind of announcement like that. Likely probeblity, could be ME2 expansion along side DA2 announcement, impossible to know for sure, have to wait and see. That was me doing my Mordin impression. :)

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tony382

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Could be a new NWN game. That will be sweet.

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tony382

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If you check Bioware's games on their official site, it says "New Next Gen game" So my money is on that.

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shkar

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Dragon Age 2 Mass Effect 3

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big-boss-91

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Mass Effect 3! i know it will come! the 2nd game had a cliffhanger-ish! and please be available for PS3 too! my PC is rubbish and my 360 kept RROD. PS3 never let me down cept no mass effect

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lazycomplife

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eon8

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Herbaceous

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It could also be nothing more than a revamped BioWare Social Network, which has been a bit flawed to date. It would explain why ME2 and DA:O both have it, as they are the only 2 games that are integrated into the BioWare Social Network. Just a thought...

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Rexvan-

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To Ardiendo 1 Time will soon tell.

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Ardiendo_1

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Why would it be on the Mass Effect website if it was for Dragon Age 2? Similarly why would it be for the new IP? Especially since there is no timer on the Old Republic website. I highly doubt it has anything to do with a new game at all. These cryptic timers are used to generate hype on the internet when the announcement itself isn't big enough. My guess is DLC but a new KoTOR would be swweeeeet.

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Nekromenos

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It's a re-relase of Shattered Steel with DirectX 3.0 support!

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emotional28

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DUKE NUKEM: FOREVER!!!

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aonekaraoke

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Itsgoing to be called Dragon Effect.Lol its just DLC hype.

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ele975

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yes please! Kotor 3 would make this year for me! :D i must know what happened to Revan! They couldn't just let that be a mystery for years to come! If it is a third Kotor RPG only game, Bioware has my trust to last this life time.

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DaIamar

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If it's just DLC, then count me out.

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wexorian

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Hmm i remember conference 1 year ago about old republic that hey will launch kottor 3 too , but if it's new IP Logical it's won't be star wars at all. Bioware Rocks

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wexorian

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if it's not star wars i'm intrigued :D

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mikeyc42087

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Its a Miranda and Morrigan celeb sex tape. God bless them.

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andalore

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Blood Dragon Armour on Xbox live Maybe? or something compatible with both games

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0rbytel

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The only hints the source code for the countdown give, is the class for the countdown which is 'omgwtfbbq' (Oh My God What The F*ck Barbecue). The actual countdown code itself was written by an Aussie guy (Keith Wood), but it doesn't give any hints- as the onExpiry is null, so whatever is going to happen isn't going to be triggered automatically.

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spartan2777

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too early for ME3, a game that big cant be created in less than a year, i would rather wait one or two years. it probably is dragon age 2 though.

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joeallen06

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come on we all no its going to be dragon effect age 2

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Aloc-Acoc

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Rexvan- "Imo I think that it will be an announcement for the old republic to be released on the 360." An interesting thought but i don't think so, maybe ME3?

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Rexvan-

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Imo I think that it will be an announcement for the old republic to be released on the 360.

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