Along with today's announcement of a delay in the release of The Sims 3, Electronic Arts has also announced a delay in the release of Dragon Age: Origins. The long-in-development fantasy RPG from developer BioWare, originally set for release sometime this quarter, will now be pushed back until the second half of 2009.

According to the press release, the delay in the game will allow the PC version to be released alongside the planned console versions of Dragon Age: Origins. That means, of course, that the game will no longer be a timed PC exclusive. BioWare's co-founder Dr. Ray Muzyka is quoted as saying, ""I'm really proud of our team, who are working very hard to make Dragon Age: Origins the biggest and most exciting BioWare game yet, and we will work to ensure it not only meets, but exceeds the expectations of our loyal audience of fans."

Update: In EA's conference call with investors, execs stated that Dragon Age: Origins will be released in the company's third fiscal 2010 quarter (in other words between October-December 2009)