The narrative of video games is getting increasingly sophisticated – as Train2Game blog readers will have seen earlier this month – but intelligent Game Design rarely seems to transfer into films and television.
Train2Game students may therefore be hoping the latest game to cross the divide will do a much better job!
The USA Today reports that a Dragon Age mini-series, titled Dragon Age: Redemption, is in the works and is being written by actress and creator of popular web comedy series The Guild Felicia Day. She’ll also star as the main character of Tallis, an elven assassin who “fights dirty.”
The six episode series is set in Dragon Age: Origins’ Fereldon and will air later this year.
Long time Train2Game blog readers will know that we’ve been very appreciative of the narrative on Dragon Age: Origins before.
“Tallis is headstrong, she fights dirty, and she has a really sarcastic sense of humor,” said Day. “I wanted to bring a modern sensibility to a fantasy character in a fantasy world.”
The actress is also aware that game adaptations have a poor history, but as a fan of the Dragon Age series, Day remarked she didn’t want this to be repeated with Redemption.
“I am an organic gamer and I love games, and I particularly love this franchise. I put every single effort into making this something that gamers will be proud of. Even though we were constrained a lot as a Web series, none of the people who were involved took that as a constraint. They took that as a challenge.”
“They are going to take this a step above what we have seen on the Web before” She added.
Bioware co-founder Greg Zeschuk praised the project: “We are really, really excited to work with people like her who have a passion and appreciation for the content and a really good history of quality. That’s who we want to work with.”
Dragon Age: Redemption was filmed over 12 days with Independence Day associate producer Peter Winther as director and Lost’s John Bartley as cinematographer.
Dragon Age 2 itself is set for release next month, but Train2Game students can not only get their hands on the game this weekend at Guardian Gamesblog Live, but also meet Lead Designer Mike Laidlaw. If you’re unable to attend, you can see Mike Laidlaw talk about Dragon Age 2 in this very interesting developer diary, as featured on the Train2Game blog last month.
So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Dragon Age: Redemption? Do you think the game will transfer well to a web TV series? Do you think Day has enough passion for the Dragon Age? Or are you already convinced that the show will let the game down?
As usual, you can leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum. Alternatively you can let us know your thoughts via the Train2Game Facebook page, or the Train2Game Twitter account.
Train2Game, in association with DR Studios and the University of Bedfordshire, will be holding a Game Jam at the end of March. For more information, see the official Train2Game Game Jam website or the Train2Game Game Jam Facebook page. Alternatively, keep an eye on the Train2Game Game Jam Twitter account.
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