Freemium Dragon Age hits iOS, Android with $99 microtransaction

[UPDATE] Following the publication of this story, an EA representative reached out to GameSpot to clarify details about the game's microtransactions. The most expensive character pack in the game sells for about $6.50. The $99 in-app purchase available to players is a currency pack that allows players to stock up on in-game currency.

The original story is below.

Electronic Arts has released the free-to-play Heroes of Dragon Age on iOS and Android.

Like many freemium games, though the title is free to download, players are able to spend real-world money on additional items. In the case of Heroes of Dragon Age, these in-app purchases are available as character packs and range from $2-$99.

EA made clear that everything in Heroes of Dragon Age is attainable for free by progressing through the game. Spending real-world money is a way to unlock characters faster. In-app purchase can be disabled via your device's settings.

Players can collect "hundreds" of characters spanning the Dragon Age universe, including dragons and golems--and each has its own unique abilities, statistics, and factions.

Heroes of Dragon Age, originally announced in August, is a squad-based combat game featuring "addictive hero collection and engaging quests." The mobile game was developed by EA Capital Games in Sacramento, California.

The next entry in the mainline Dragon Age series is Dragon Age: Inquisition, which was recently delayed one year. It is now due out in fall 2014 for the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC. For more on Dragon Age: Inquisition, check out GameSpot's latest preview.