Enabling the console in the Steam version of DA:O Ultimate

Overview

A simple guide on how to enable the console in the Steam version of Dragon Age Origins Ultimate.Link to download files is now fixed.

Intro

For the purposes of this guide I’m going to assume Steam is installed in the default location and your Steam games are also installed in the default location. If not you’ll obviously need to look in whatever directories you installed them in.

You now have two options:

You can either download the pre-edited files and place them in the relevant locations, in which case just follow “The simplest method” part of the guide.

You can also just edit the files yourself if you prefer, in which case follow the “Editing The DAOriginsLauncher.xml File”, “Editing The KeyBindings.ini File” & “Making The Console Visible” parts of the guide.

The simplest method

Download the pre-edited files from OneDrive

[1drv.ms]

There’s two files in there and they need to go in the following locations – please note the locations carefully and make sure they go in the exact folders:

The DAOriginsLauncher.xml file
C:Program Files (x86)SteamSteamAppscommonDragon Age Ultimate Editiondata
And the keybindings.ini file
My DocumentsBioWareDragon AgeSettings

Note that I have set the console to open with F7 rather than the tilde ` key as it causes issues with non-US Keyboard layout users. If you don’t like that choice of key then see the section on editing the keybindings.ini to change it to a key of your choice.

Then go to Nexus Mods[www.nexusmods.com] to download the fonts.erf file to make the console visible. Place it in:

My DocumentsBioWareDragon Agepackagescoredata

That’s it, the console should be working and visible.

Editing The DAOriginsLauncher.xml File

Go to

C:Program Files (x86)SteamSteamAppscommonDragon Age Ultimate Editiondata

Right click the DAOriginsLauncher.xml file and open the file with notepad.
Find the line
<condition name=”FirstRunCheck” type=”FileExist” file=”${USERDATA_DIR}SystemInformation.xml”>
Below that line should be this line
<true action=”execute” file=”${BINARIES_DIR}DAOrigins.exe” path=”${BINARIES_DIR}” autoquit=”true” />
Just before autoquit=”True” /> add this: arguments=”-enabledeveloperconsole”. The line should then read
<true action=”execute” file=”${BINARIES_DIR}DAOrigins.exe” path=”${BINARIES_DIR}” arguments=”-enabledeveloperconsole” autoquit=”true” />
Save the file

Editing The KeyBindings.ini File

You now need to edit your keybindings file to assign a key to open the console.

Go to My DocumentsBioWareDragon AgeSettings
Open the KeyBindings.ini file in notepad
Find the line that starts OpenConsole_0=
Change the part after the = sign to the key of your choice. For example Keyboard::Button_Tilde to use the Tilde key which is above Tab and to the left of 1.
NOTE: Some people have reported issues using the Tilde key when using a non-US International keyboard layout. I usually just set it to OpenConsole_0=Keyboard::Button_F7 so the console opens with the F7 key instead to avoid any issues
Once you have chosen and set your key save the file.

Making The Console Visible

Now those two edits are done the console should now work in-game.

However you will be unable to see it without the use of a mod (the console is invisible at this point though it does work).

Download this mod[www.nexusmods.com] from the Dragon Age Nexus
Extract the fonts.erf file from the archive (use WinRar or 7-Zip)
Place the fonts.erf file into
My DocumentsBioWareDragon Agepackagescoredata

Now the console should be both enabled and it should be visible.

Thank the maker!

Dragon Age: Origins – Ultimate Edition Guide