Do you need to play Dragon Age 1 before 2?

I wanted to play Dragon Age since the first one came out, but never got the chance. Now that Dragon Age 2 is out, I was wondering if the story is continuous, or if I could just pick up by starting in Dragon Age 2 without really missing out on anything.Do you need to play Dragon Age 1 before 2?
The games are both separate. Bioware maintains that you don't have to play one game to enjoy the other. There's some overlap in the timeline, and there are lots of little references by many characters in the second game to the first, which players can pick up on. Some characters also appear in both games and, in DAII, make hints about their involvement in the first and can sometimes interact with specific party members (such as Zevran reacting to Isabella), etc.

There are lots of refs in Origins and Awakening to the upcoming game (lots of refs to the Qunari). It's definitely more fun to play both games, and have a greater understanding and affection for them. Plus, Origins is brilliant, I would definitely recommend playing it. Awakening (the expansion) is also pretty good, especially if you liked Anders' character in DAII.
they are both seprate games but i would recomend that you play through dragon age 1 and its expantion then dragon age 2. Dragon age 1 is way better and longer.Do you need to play Dragon Age 1 before 2?
Yeah you could, but I'm playing through DA: 1 atm, if youve got the time you should. DA: 1 is amazing, got like 40 hours so far and still lots to do.
Dragon Age 1 is way better, I've played both and Dragon Age 2 is not even close to as fun as the original for PC.Do you need to play Dragon Age 1 before 2?
They're separate games.

You can play the second one without the first
You should play the first one.....its is epic, way better than the second!