Dragon Age II’s director Mike Laidlaw said on the BioWare forums that the Legacy DLC has proved that BioWare is listening to what the fans want with the Dragon Age series, and that they’re not just turning the series into Call of Duty or other popular franchises.

“Pause is given as people wonder if, just maybe, Legacy is a hint that Dragon Age is not trying to be Call of Duty, or Devil May Cry or whatever other franchise people have prognosticated in dire tones and with furious shaking of head will be the future of DA,” he said. “And that’s a great development; and one that I think required us to both put up and shut up. Saying we were listening would always be less effective than releasing something that demonstrates it.”

Laidlaw said that nothing will ever please everybody, but as long as the end product delivers properly, he will be satisfied.

“DAII clearly didn’t deliver on all fronts for you guys. For some it did, but I’m truly, deeply cognizant of the parts that are weak, and while we’re not going to agree on everything, there’s a game out there that’s better than both Origins and DAII, and I’ll be damned if the talented folks of the DA team can’t find it.”

Here’s what we think BioWare needs to do with the Dragon Age series to undo the damage they did with DA2.

BioWare announced a Dragon Age II demo for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC some time ago. That demo is now out, and it weighs in at 1.98 GB. It can be downloaded by anyone for free.

Players will “learn more about Hawke and hone their skills and abilities that will make them the ultimate hero.” Upon finishing the prologue, players will unlock a weapon, which they will be able to use in the full version of Dragon Age II, which will be releasing early next month.

EA said some time ago: “In the demo, players will venture through the game’s prologue, choosing from three different character classes. They’ll also learn more about Hawke and hone their skills and abilities that will make them the ultimate hero.

“After finishing the prologue, players will enter a key new location in the world of Dragon Age, Kirkwall, befriending Isabela, a romantic interest in the game who is also a deadly smuggler.

“Upon completion of the demo, players will unlock a special weapon, Hayder’s Razor, an ancient dwarven blade which increases health, mana, and combat abilities, in the full release of Dragon Age II.”

BioWare have never released bad demos, honestly. The Mass Effect 2 demo was a blast. Let’s hope this is nothing less.

Dragon Age II releases for all three HD systems early next month.