'Dragon Age: Origins' free as threequel draws near

The first game in Electronic Arts' "Dragon Age" series is being given away free on PC as attention turns towards November's "Dragon Age: Inquisition."

The first game in Electronic Arts' 'Dragon Age' series is being given away free on PC as attention turns towards November's 'Dragon Age: Inquisition.'

The promotion runs until October 14 and sees 'Dragon Age: Origins' join EA's On The House campaign, which raises the profile of its Origin download and retail service through regular game giveaways such as this.

Once added to an Origin ID, Windows PC fantasy adventure 'Dragon Age: Origins' remains tied to the account for the duration of the promo period and thereafter.

First released in 2009, 'Dragon Age: Origins' was developed by BioWare, the studio behind role-playing classics 'Baldur's Gate,' 'Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic' and the more recent space opera 'Mass Effect.'

The game reviewed very well, sold over 3 million copies over a two-month period, and marked the beginning of a successful new franchise, strengthening BioWare as it continued to develop the 'Mass Effect' trilogy and work on ambitious licensed MMO 'Star Wars: The Old Republic.'

And though its age means that 'Dragon Age: Origins' may pale in comparison to more contemporary fare, relatively low-tech specs by today's standards mean that it should be within reach of even modest laptops.

November 18 sees the arrival of latest franchise entry 'Dragon Age: Inquisition' on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PS3 and XBox 360, aiming to restore the franchise to former glories after 2011's 'Dragon Age II' was met with a mixed reaction.