2 weeks until Dragon Age and Bioware lavishes fans with goodies

And some of these goodies raises questions, at least to me it does. First off is the release of the stand alone character creator, if you've been awaiting this title with growing appetite you must check it out and download it via Atomicgamer or fileplanet.

Even if you're not awaiting the game when is creating a character not fun? :D Okay so you can check out some of my ladies if you click on the portrait it shows an inventory view with equipment just like in Eq2 players and other MMO network sites.

The network site itself is rather nice, it's in beta so there's a few awkward navigation problems and minor bugs but overall I'm enjoying going through it, reminds me of the Aion site now except it's released earlier and may have a chance to get things fixed up before release unlike Aion's site.... *cough*

What's odd is why would Bioware go through all the trouble of making a social network site for one game? Or will they add future games to it as well? Is it in preparation of what they will also do for Star Wars: The Old Republic? I mean it's not even a multiplayer game, what's the point of player groups and friend lists? I guess if you are a modder that would come in handy and maybe that's the whole reason behind it. However I have this nagging feeling there's more to it then that. Hmmm.

But back to the character creation tool, I have a bit of problem with the character models, which is not shocking as it seems that's all I like to harp on about apparently, *grin*, but REALLY does Bioware and Bethesda not understand anatomy? I'll admit Bethesda did better with Fallout 3 then with the madness that was the character models of Oblivion (ape men and women ftw?!) but I somehow expected a bit more from Bioware considering Mass Effect's awesome models, well awesome except for female Shepard's giraffe neck.. Dragon Age's bodies are wooden and stiff in the back and torso area, the abdomen is too large and thick. It's like you're still wearing full armor but with a bad skin texture on top.. It's really odd. In contrast the faces are really great and there's variety, you can create any type of character of almost any skin color and any age.

I've already heard one modder say they are almost ready to extract the head meshes from the game to make new hairstyles, now please someone tell me they've got the body mesh extracted and are reworking the poor thing! ;) For now though I'll just content myself in wearing clothing and armor that covers the entire body with no skin showing the abdomen. Dragon Age does have some rather nice pieces if screenshots and videos are anything to go by.