Dragon Age 2 - News Roundup # 5

With the upcoming release of DA2, there have been newsabounding, so some we've missed some  while others are new. I'll collect what I found here:

GameInformer provided a preview of the first five hours of the game. Spoilers abound, though, so read at your own risk. (source is the rpgcodex)
Here's a quote that's not that too spoilery:

The early hours of the game primarily take place within the city of Kirkwall, a population center that covers more virtual ground than Origins’ Denerim. That already increased size is made even bigger by the new ability to go to the map and visit any area of the city at night as well. Certain story events and quests will only be available by exploring Kirkwall at night.

And 1UP held a live 'game night' with DA2 - which is not that surprising. However, according to this thread on the Bioware forums, people have noticed that Blood Armour from DA: Origins can be imported via a save from DA: Origins.

Chris Priestly made a thread about the DA2 Final DRM. Here's the DRM for PC.

Dragon Age 2 Physical & Digital PC/Mac DRM are as follows:
No disc check, you do not need the disc in drive to play.
No limit on the total number of PCs you can install the game on.
There is a limit to the number of unique/different PCs that can play the game within a time window (if online) [5 PCs in 24hrs].
After each new install there is a 1-time online check needed the next time you play, requiring a log in to your EA account to verify game ownership.  If you are a member of these forums, you already have an EA account – just use the same email/password.
You can play offline thereafter - the game will NOT require any subsequent login checks.  If online, a game ownership check happens each time you play.

As you can see, playing offline is an option.

Chris Priestly also updated the DA2 page with information about the Quanri, followers of the Qun. Here's a quote: 

The people of the Qun are, perhaps, the least-understood group in Thedas. Nature has given them fierce horns and strange eyes, and the ignorant look on these formidable warriors and see monsters. The qunari most outsiders meet however, belong to their army. Only In Seheron and Par Vollen may one truly see the qunari in their entirety. There, the idea of their society as a single entity with each individual only a small part of the greater whole is most evident. Everyone and everything has its place, decided by their philosophy and not to be questioned. It is a life of certainty and equality, if not individuality, and unique among all cultures of Thedas.

And finally, the guys from Penny Arcade has made a comic - again - about DA2.

http://dragonage.bioware.com/da2/info/pennyarcade/