BioWare has a slew of projects we're all fiending for information on - Mass Effect sequels, a Sonic The Hedgehog RPG, an unknown Lucas Arts project, etc. We've just found out a little bit of information on one of their projects - Electronic Arts has announced that Dragon Age will be released for the PC sometime in the next twelve months.

EA CEO John Riccitiello mentioned in a conference call with IGN that they plan on releasing the fantasy RPG during the company's 2009 fiscal year, which starts April 2008 and ends March 2009. Dragon Age, like Mass Effect and Jade Empire, is an original intellectual property by BioWare. The setting is described as darker and grittier than the high fantasy Dungeons and Dragons setting showcased in earlier projects by the developer.

Even if there's no D&D-style elven maidens sashaying around the forests in the world of Dragon Age, the game will still feature the same open-ended gameplay BioWare has become known for, with morality-based decisions and extensive character customization. Only basic information has been released on the game so far but if it's really this close, I'm sure we'll be finding out a lot more soon. For starters, will there be multiplayer support or a toolset for user-created content?