So today I was thinking, as I usually do, about many different things. And one of those happened to be about the saying that DA2 would be new and different; which it wasn't. But I happened to think, is it because of the fantasy genre?
The fantasy genre's been around for longer than anyone here today, but more than that there's a huge size of the fantasy genre in books, movies, tv shows, and games. Is it even possible to do anything new or different within a genre so throughly mined?
It's not like sci-fi which changes decade to decade in part because of the advancement of technology. Fantasy is still stuck with the old Norse mythos with goblins, orcs, elves, and dwarfs. It uses medieval settings to the point that a castle and a suit of armor just isn't impressive, we see them all the time.
Now realize that I'm not here to bad talk the fantasy genre, it's a great genre and some great stories have been told in it. But what's left to really explore in it? What's left that's new and never done? Is it even possible?
To kick start the disscussion I have a few areas I think aren't unexplored but are less explored than other areas:
-Emgerant technologies. I know this is largely a sci-fi concept but that little bit of cross pollination helps keep it fresh. Recently Fable 3 came out with an Industrial Revolution style design. But the game only uses it as decoration. There's no thought about the affects of gunpowder in a world of magic, nor steam engines and trolly cars in a universe of vast primal magical energies. And none of this reflects on life within the game's universe being changed and shaped by this.
It's also a bit steampunk, but it doesn't have to just be steampunk. It can literally anything a creative team and come up with. It's more freeing than just the nations and walled cities with mages in pointy hats and destructive orc creatures out in the wastes. It's so under used that with enough time and with the right people you could actual show things people haven't seen before and tell a story that reflects it.
Of course, it can also be lazy and completely just throw devices we know into a medieval world and just let it sit there.
What say you?
Let's Talk About Genre
Débuté par
Foolsfolly
, mai 11 2011 02:41
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#2
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 02:58
spoe71
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Well, I think Bioware did a pretty good job putting a fresh twist on the fantasy genre when they released DAO. I speak primarily about the typical portrayal of elves: in most fantasy worlds they are elegant, lofty, regal. DAO made them almost the antithesis of those things. I remember when DAO was announced, I thought to myself, "Hmm, I wonder what their version of Legolas will look like." I was pleasantly surprised to see what they did.
Most might not think that's a big deal---the way elves are portrayed in the game---but I thought it was a nice, outside-the-box way to think about them.
Most might not think that's a big deal---the way elves are portrayed in the game---but I thought it was a nice, outside-the-box way to think about them.
#3
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 03:20
TheBlackBaron
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I think there's elements of emerging technology already present with the qunari. They have, after all, developed gunpowder and fairly advanced chemical weaponry. It would follow that their own domestic society would also likely have more such technologies that we just haven't seen yet, since the only qunari in Thedas are soldiers.
Thedas, by comparison, seems to be stagnating to some degree thanks to magic simply removing the need for technological innovation - for example, who needs advancements in injury treatment or vaccines when you've got spirit healers like Wynne and Anders?
Combined with implications from dialog with Sten that the qunari are preparing to break the Llomerryn Accord and launch a new invasion, I think we might see this pushed to the forefront once the Mages vs Templar dispute is resolved.
Thedas, by comparison, seems to be stagnating to some degree thanks to magic simply removing the need for technological innovation - for example, who needs advancements in injury treatment or vaccines when you've got spirit healers like Wynne and Anders?
Combined with implications from dialog with Sten that the qunari are preparing to break the Llomerryn Accord and launch a new invasion, I think we might see this pushed to the forefront once the Mages vs Templar dispute is resolved.
#4
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 03:44
Foolsfolly
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spoe71 wrote...
Well, I think Bioware did a pretty good job putting a fresh twist on the fantasy genre when they released DAO. I speak primarily about the typical portrayal of elves: in most fantasy worlds they are elegant, lofty, regal. DAO made them almost the antithesis of those things. I remember when DAO was announced, I thought to myself, "Hmm, I wonder what their version of Legolas will look like." I was pleasantly surprised to see what they did.
Most might not think that's a big deal---the way elves are portrayed in the game---but I thought it was a nice, outside-the-box way to think about them.
That was refreshing. I liked the social aspects of DA:O. I liked the Dwarven social stucture and the plight of the elves a lot. That was nicely done.
In fact, while retaining almost everything you'd expect from the Dwarven race they still managed to make them feel different than the standard dwarven society.
#5
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 03:53
88mphSlayer
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they should go back in time to the bronze age instead of always using medieval fantasy
#6
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 03:54
Beerfish
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I think they also have added your desire for technology as well giving the Qunari their chemical and gunpowder. Something that no one else supposidely has. While by no means perfect at least the DA franchise is introducing some nice politics into things rather than just fight the villain. Heck we've had tons and tons of on going discussions (arguments) in regards to the mage templar issue.
#7
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 03:58
Addai
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Sci fi hasn't changed much, either. It's all set phasers to stun and spaceships. (bleh)
Anyway the furniture doesn't really matter. Fantasy or sci fi realms just serve as showcases to tell stories about universal themes, human drama, and make you see those things in a slightly different light.
Anyway the furniture doesn't really matter. Fantasy or sci fi realms just serve as showcases to tell stories about universal themes, human drama, and make you see those things in a slightly different light.
Modifié par Addai67, 11 mai 2011 - 03:59 .
#8
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 04:01
Foolsfolly
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The Mage Templar issue is interesting but at the same time boring. The actual issue involved is one of personal freedom vs public security, which is a great discussion to have in the Western world at this moment in time. (Maybe, more so about 5 years ago but development periods are long things and DA:O had like a 9 year cycle.)
I found it less interesting the more they focused on it, because the more they pushed the issue the less it was the original issue. To the point that the finale does not actually fit with that argument, it's all about insane people, possessed people, and nothing about public security or personal freedoms.
The whole third act should have reflected the issue more.
@ 88mphSlayer:
That is not a terrible idea. That's actually pretty interesting for a setting.
I found it less interesting the more they focused on it, because the more they pushed the issue the less it was the original issue. To the point that the finale does not actually fit with that argument, it's all about insane people, possessed people, and nothing about public security or personal freedoms.
The whole third act should have reflected the issue more.
@ 88mphSlayer:
they should go back in time to the bronze age instead of always using medieval fantasy
That is not a terrible idea. That's actually pretty interesting for a setting.
#9
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 04:02
Addai
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I would be up for that.88mphSlayer wrote...
they should go back in time to the bronze age instead of always using medieval fantasy
#10
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 06:58
GenericPlayer2
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I think DA put a new twist on the fantasy genre. Elves are the first thing that stand out, in DA they are vagrants with an allegedly glorious past. Darkspawn for better or worse are a twist on Orcs, and Goblins are non-existent.
Dwarves are not the same. The game lore bills them as the best smiths in Thedas, but the facts show that there is nothing special about the armor or weapons they forge. Their society is almost fanatical in its isolation. I had never heard before of dwarves losing all their social standing because they went to the surface before I played DA.
The Qunari are probably the biggest twist - they don't fit into any peg holes I can think of. They are new beings with a religion that sounds a lot like communism - which is one of the biggest ironies I have ever seen. They also seem to be far more advanced than the rest of Thedas put together. I would love to meet Qunari who are not part of the Antaam.
The Grey Wardens don't fit any role I have seen before. They are not Jedi Knights, Knights of the Round Table...etc. To me they are more like the French Foreign Legion, or rather more like how the Legion is portrayed in books and films.
The Templars are not the honorable white knights portrayed in Western fiction. In fact I was surprised because it seemed like Templar Knights in DA are much closer to the way they are portrayed in my part of the world, butchers and torturers.
Mages are not usually locked up and lobotomized in typical fantasy stories.
Dwarves are not the same. The game lore bills them as the best smiths in Thedas, but the facts show that there is nothing special about the armor or weapons they forge. Their society is almost fanatical in its isolation. I had never heard before of dwarves losing all their social standing because they went to the surface before I played DA.
The Qunari are probably the biggest twist - they don't fit into any peg holes I can think of. They are new beings with a religion that sounds a lot like communism - which is one of the biggest ironies I have ever seen. They also seem to be far more advanced than the rest of Thedas put together. I would love to meet Qunari who are not part of the Antaam.
The Grey Wardens don't fit any role I have seen before. They are not Jedi Knights, Knights of the Round Table...etc. To me they are more like the French Foreign Legion, or rather more like how the Legion is portrayed in books and films.
The Templars are not the honorable white knights portrayed in Western fiction. In fact I was surprised because it seemed like Templar Knights in DA are much closer to the way they are portrayed in my part of the world, butchers and torturers.
Mages are not usually locked up and lobotomized in typical fantasy stories.
#11
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 07:09
Foolsfolly
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Darkspawn for better or worse are a twist on Orcs
They're not that different from orcs. They look like orcs, sound like orcs, fight like orcs, and eventually talk like orcs. In fact, they're exactly like orcs only they have a Dragon inexplicably leading them and Broodmothers....oh god the Broodmothers...
The Qunari are quite different. And they're also one the best things about DA2 and Sten was a great character in DA:O (although I found him undesirable as a companion since Oghren, Shale, Alistair, and significantly less so Dog more than cover my need for warriors). I love the Qunari. Bring me more Qunari.
I saw the Wardens as Knights of the Round Table or just generally as Knight-errants. Their Holy Grail are fighting Darkspawn and they wander around the countryside fighting darkspawn (not to be noble or prove themselves just because water flows downhill and Wardens kill Darkspawn).
#12
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 07:15
KnightofPhoenix
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Addai67 wrote...
I would be up for that.88mphSlayer wrote...
they should go back in time to the bronze age instead of always using medieval fantasy
Or change the cultural bg completely. Jade empire was in an East Asian inspired setting. More of that, plus Slavic, Middle Eastern, African, South American...etc
I've had enough of settings inspired by medieval England and Western Europe.
And a Rome inspired RPG would be uber.
Modifié par KnightofPhoenix, 11 mai 2011 - 07:16 .
#13
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 07:23
Foolsfolly
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Aren't Tevinters the Holy Roman Empire....or Byzantine Empire?
You know, if we ever see more Tevinter development that wasn't entirely based around "We're evil slavers!"
You know, if we ever see more Tevinter development that wasn't entirely based around "We're evil slavers!"
#14
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 07:27
KnightofPhoenix
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I am hoping for a future DA game set in Tevinter. Which would be more or less the equivalent of the Byzantine empire, which was more sophisticated and interesting than medieval Western Europe imo.
Just anything that's new and unexplored.
I would pay a fortune for a Medieval Middle Eastern inspired RPG.
Just anything that's new and unexplored.
I would pay a fortune for a Medieval Middle Eastern inspired RPG.
#15
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 07:37
Foolsfolly
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I'd like a Tevinter game too. I know it won't be DA3 since they put a lot of stock in people connecting with the Mage thing, but Tevinter would be a nice change from Europe.
A Medieval Middle Eastern RPG would be very interesting. But I also really love the earlier suggestion of a Bronze Age RPG instead of Medieval.
A huge theme could be fear of the unknown, scattered communities no one big Empire maybe one that could possibly rise into one later (with the help or harm of the PC of course). Having no written anything, so only oral storytelling and generally superstitious characters.
Hell, because it's the Bronze Age getting a sword would be an achievement, say blunt weapons and slings are more common.
Tribes of nomadic Mages who rumor has it can do anything.
...that would be fun.
But for DA, yeah. I'd dig a Tevinter game. But please oh please, let the design be different than Ferelden. I mean, the Free Marches are a different country but you couldn't tell that in clothing, accent, or building designs.
These nations should feel different from one another. So if we ever return to Ferelden in a later game it would feel like returning home..instead of just new maps.
A Medieval Middle Eastern RPG would be very interesting. But I also really love the earlier suggestion of a Bronze Age RPG instead of Medieval.
A huge theme could be fear of the unknown, scattered communities no one big Empire maybe one that could possibly rise into one later (with the help or harm of the PC of course). Having no written anything, so only oral storytelling and generally superstitious characters.
Hell, because it's the Bronze Age getting a sword would be an achievement, say blunt weapons and slings are more common.
Tribes of nomadic Mages who rumor has it can do anything.
...that would be fun.
But for DA, yeah. I'd dig a Tevinter game. But please oh please, let the design be different than Ferelden. I mean, the Free Marches are a different country but you couldn't tell that in clothing, accent, or building designs.
These nations should feel different from one another. So if we ever return to Ferelden in a later game it would feel like returning home..instead of just new maps.
#16
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 08:31
Satyricon331
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I also would like the Bronze Age. The eastern Mediterranean world was fascinating, especially right before ca. 1250 BCE, when the Minoans, Hittites and Egyptians were around together.
My first thought when reading the OP was of an ancient Greek/Roman mechanical computer archaeologists recovered from a sunken ship in the Mediterranean. I could imagine an ancient-world setting with a high mechanical tech level, higher than the real world perhaps had. The trick might be distinguishing the technological mechanisms from the setting's magic, but I'd prefer it to the industrial-revolution type setting, which gives magic an antiquated, out-of-place, doomed feel that soured my Arcanum experience.
My first thought when reading the OP was of an ancient Greek/Roman mechanical computer archaeologists recovered from a sunken ship in the Mediterranean. I could imagine an ancient-world setting with a high mechanical tech level, higher than the real world perhaps had. The trick might be distinguishing the technological mechanisms from the setting's magic, but I'd prefer it to the industrial-revolution type setting, which gives magic an antiquated, out-of-place, doomed feel that soured my Arcanum experience.
#17
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 08:46
Satyricon331
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Oh, also, regarding whether the fantasy genre's fully explored, that idea seems implausible to me since magic has such few constraints. Eventually they might have to decouple magic from individual casting or something, but it's hard for me to see how the existing fantasy genre has exhausted the possible storylines.
#18
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 09:14
GenericPlayer2
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I would agree that Tevinter sounds an awful lot like the Roman Empire. As for the shallow "evil" portrayal, you have to keep in mind that everything we learn about Tevinter in both DA games comes from the Chantry, their biggest enemy in Thedas and the experiences of a former slave.
We've all watched series like Rome and/or Spartacus. While the Romans had many redeeming qualities, their arrogance over other nations and treatment of slaves figured very prominently. So its not surprising that the same themes would be prevalent when talking about Tevinter.
As for Wardens, I can't really see them as Knights. Wardens come from every walk of life, but former criminals and rogues figure prominently among them. They have their own code which can at times not seem very honorable. Thats why I stand by the Foreign Legion analogy, a group that attracts skilled fighters be they honorable people seeking to serve, rogues evading justice, or broken hearts looking for an escape that will eventually kill them.
We've all watched series like Rome and/or Spartacus. While the Romans had many redeeming qualities, their arrogance over other nations and treatment of slaves figured very prominently. So its not surprising that the same themes would be prevalent when talking about Tevinter.
As for Wardens, I can't really see them as Knights. Wardens come from every walk of life, but former criminals and rogues figure prominently among them. They have their own code which can at times not seem very honorable. Thats why I stand by the Foreign Legion analogy, a group that attracts skilled fighters be they honorable people seeking to serve, rogues evading justice, or broken hearts looking for an escape that will eventually kill them.
#19
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 09:40
BomimoDK
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Because Marble buildings were everywhere in origins? stop lying to yourself in order to fool us please.Foolsfolly wrote...
But for DA, yeah. I'd dig a Tevinter game. But please oh please, let the design be different than Ferelden. I mean, the Free Marches are a different country but you couldn't tell that in clothing, accent, or building designs.
These nations should feel different from one another. So if we ever return to Ferelden in a later game it would feel like returning home..instead of just new maps.
There's huge diversion. Clothing wasn't even all the same. At least as diverse as how an asian wears a shirt vs how an American wears a shirt. How much of a difference did you expect? As for the accent. Yeah. that's actually quite weird, but the first game never tied a certain accent to the Marchers yet Sebastian speaks with a highland accent and the country is divided into city states lead by families. Greece clashes with Scotland/Ireland i'd say. The diversity is there, just look beyond your own nosetip.
#20
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 09:55
Foolsfolly
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I would agree that Tevinter sounds an awful lot like the Roman Empire. As for the shallow "evil" portrayal, you have to keep in mind that everything we learn about Tevinter in both DA games comes from the Chantry, their biggest enemy in Thedas and the experiences of a former slave.
The small handful we've met have all been slaves or slavers. The Tevinters are the DA universe's Batarians. We're told there's another side to them but all the player sees and hears is "slavers." And ME fans have been begging for years for a Batarian squad mate to add some much needed depth to the entire species.
We've all watched series like Rome and/or Spartacus. While the Romans had many redeeming qualities, their arrogance over other nations and treatment of slaves figured very prominently. So its not surprising that the same themes would be prevalent when talking about Tevinter.
I know! And I can't wait to see it. I'd love to see the argument of slavery being a valid one, like Fallout 3's DLC the Pitt did. Have the player be uncomfortable with their personal morals vs supporting something loathsome for a greater good.
Tevinter's actually a ripe setting for a future game.
Because Marble buildings were everywhere in origins? stop lying to yourself in order to fool us please./images/forum/emoticons/policeman.png There's huge diversion. Clothing wasn't even all the same. At least as diverse as how an asian wears a shirt vs how an American wears a shirt.
Before globalization the garb of a Asian man, European man, and American man were all quite different. Thedas is in a pre-globalization setting where local fashions, resources, and techniques would create vastly different fashions and manner of building.
Kirkwall looks like Denerim, the Circle, and Vigil's Keep and thus looks an awful lot like Ferelden. I may give you the marble thing. I'll have to put the game back in and look but I'm remembering just more stone buildings which certainly existed in Ferelden.
Yeah. that's actually quite weird, but the first game never tied a certain accent to the Marchers yet Sebastian speaks with a highland accent and the country is divided into city states lead by families. Greece clashes with Scotland/Ireland i'd say. The diversity is there, just look beyond your own nosetip.
But the other Starkhaven character, notably the Starkhaven mages, do not share Seb's accent. It may be an accent of nobility and in Starkhaven the accent tells you a lot about a person's social standing....but wasn't the family that killed Seb's family also nobility from Starkhaven, since they wanted the throne? They also lacked Seb's accent.
#21
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 12:10
Sabriana
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Rome, Egypt, Eastern Empires..., yes that does sound good.
What I liked about DA:O's approach was that the "hero" did not have the "knight in shining armor" mantle. Wardens are focused on one thing only, especially during a blight, and that is the destruction of the AD.
Magic, and even Bloodmagic are not an issue. "Anything to defeat the Blight" was the main duty of the GWs. The Warden could be played as a total jerk, a selfish ******, or a very practical Warden whose prime objective is stopping the threat upon Ferelden. Such a Warden could very well leave Redcliffe to perish, because stopping to help the village is a delay in the task of gathering the armies. Same goes for the werewolves. It's conceivable that a Warden will favor the werewolves because she/he reasons that they would be more valuable allies in the fight against the AD. No "evil", "viciousness", or "malice" intended.
They were not good girls/guys in the "rescue the kitten from the tree" sense, they could well doom an entire village if it meant stopping the forward movement of Darkspawn.
As a matter of fact, when asked, Ser Gilmore even mentions tales where the Wardens laid fire to a village, leaving everyone to die because of the greater good. That greater good being the impediment of the advancing Darkspawn.
What I liked about DA:O's approach was that the "hero" did not have the "knight in shining armor" mantle. Wardens are focused on one thing only, especially during a blight, and that is the destruction of the AD.
Magic, and even Bloodmagic are not an issue. "Anything to defeat the Blight" was the main duty of the GWs. The Warden could be played as a total jerk, a selfish ******, or a very practical Warden whose prime objective is stopping the threat upon Ferelden. Such a Warden could very well leave Redcliffe to perish, because stopping to help the village is a delay in the task of gathering the armies. Same goes for the werewolves. It's conceivable that a Warden will favor the werewolves because she/he reasons that they would be more valuable allies in the fight against the AD. No "evil", "viciousness", or "malice" intended.
They were not good girls/guys in the "rescue the kitten from the tree" sense, they could well doom an entire village if it meant stopping the forward movement of Darkspawn.
As a matter of fact, when asked, Ser Gilmore even mentions tales where the Wardens laid fire to a village, leaving everyone to die because of the greater good. That greater good being the impediment of the advancing Darkspawn.
#22
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 02:50
Addai
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quote
Now realize that I'm not here to bad talk the fantasy genre, it's a great genre and some great stories have been told in it. But what's left to really explore in it? What's left that's new and never done? Is it even possible?
quote
(husband)
I think doing what a Tale of Ice and Fire did is new. Namely making a fantasy world that is based on real life earth culture and history for "verisimilitude". That was one reason why people loved Origins so much they ripped off not just the Lord of the Rings but the Game of Thrones etc. stuff of this series where culture, politics and religions really matter.
Now realize that I'm not here to bad talk the fantasy genre, it's a great genre and some great stories have been told in it. But what's left to really explore in it? What's left that's new and never done? Is it even possible?
quote
(husband)
I think doing what a Tale of Ice and Fire did is new. Namely making a fantasy world that is based on real life earth culture and history for "verisimilitude". That was one reason why people loved Origins so much they ripped off not just the Lord of the Rings but the Game of Thrones etc. stuff of this series where culture, politics and religions really matter.
#23
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 03:01
Addai
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The Witcher also had these themes, including suspicion of/ persecution of mages. Elves on the fringes of society is not that far away from Tolkien's interpretation of the lesser elves, though those never lived in human cities.GenericPlayer2 wrote...
I think DA put a new twist on the fantasy genre. Elves are the first thing that stand out, in DA they are vagrants with an allegedly glorious past. Darkspawn for better or worse are a twist on Orcs, and Goblins are non-existent.
Dwarves are not the same. The game lore bills them as the best smiths in Thedas, but the facts show that there is nothing special about the armor or weapons they forge. Their society is almost fanatical in its isolation. I had never heard before of dwarves losing all their social standing because they went to the surface before I played DA.
I would guess they are based on the Night's Watch from Song of Ice and Fire. Forsake family and title or come from the dregs of society, guardians against an ancient evil, regarded with suspicion.The Grey Wardens don't fit any role I have seen before. They are not Jedi Knights, Knights of the Round Table...etc. To me they are more like the French Foreign Legion, or rather more like how the Legion is portrayed in books and films.
You don't give much credit to good western fantasy. It does not present the knight orders as unqualified good guys.The Templars are not the honorable white knights portrayed in Western fiction. In fact I was surprised because it seemed like Templar Knights in DA are much closer to the way they are portrayed in my part of the world, butchers and torturers.
Suffice to say, everything's been done before. It's the personal stories you tell within the familiar themes that count.
Modifié par Addai67, 11 mai 2011 - 03:02 .
#24
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 03:40
KnightofPhoenix
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Everything Medieval Western's been done before.
Time for change in time periods or cultural bg or both. A Babylonian inspired setting would be awesome. And Semitic mythology has a lot of creatures suited for fantasy. Indeed ghouls, golems, genies, maybe the Phoenix...etc are Semitic in origin.
The Dragon of Marduk would be awesome in a video game.
Time for change in time periods or cultural bg or both. A Babylonian inspired setting would be awesome. And Semitic mythology has a lot of creatures suited for fantasy. Indeed ghouls, golems, genies, maybe the Phoenix...etc are Semitic in origin.
The Dragon of Marduk would be awesome in a video game.
Modifié par KnightofPhoenix, 11 mai 2011 - 03:41 .
#25
Posté 11 mai 2011 - 04:08
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"New" and "different" are quite separate terms to me. Fantasy epics have followed the same basic formula since the Epic of Gilgamesh was first carved into stone a bagillion years ago, but people have used the formula again and again to create distinct stories.
Can someone do something "new"? Define new for me. Completey and utterly original? Probably not, but that's only to be expected, human beings have never been truly "original" in that sense. When you look at our ancient mythologies, for instance, fictional beings like dragons, mermaids, sphinx and chimeras are just a combination of parts taken from animals that exist in real life. We're not "creators" as the term is typically understood; we're innovators, we always have been. I don't think there's anything we can conceive that isn't grounded in our reality or history.
As far as the specific suggestions you've made: I would love to see emrgent technologies in Dragon Age. But even though the similarities to Fable would only be superficial, I think there is a legitimate concern that a large number of consumers would still cry foul.
Can someone do something "new"? Define new for me. Completey and utterly original? Probably not, but that's only to be expected, human beings have never been truly "original" in that sense. When you look at our ancient mythologies, for instance, fictional beings like dragons, mermaids, sphinx and chimeras are just a combination of parts taken from animals that exist in real life. We're not "creators" as the term is typically understood; we're innovators, we always have been. I don't think there's anything we can conceive that isn't grounded in our reality or history.
As far as the specific suggestions you've made: I would love to see emrgent technologies in Dragon Age. But even though the similarities to Fable would only be superficial, I think there is a legitimate concern that a large number of consumers would still cry foul.
