Arcanaut Studios
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Mass Effect Universe trailer leaks and it makes BioWare's closure more painful
A trailer for BioWare's cancelled Mass Effect game, reportedly titled Mass Effect Universe, has leaked online, intensifying anger over EA's decision to close the studio. The footage features a new protagonist and returning character Liara T’Soni, set after the original trilogy. Industry journalist Jason Schreier confirmed the trailer's authenticity, highlighting the loss of potential new entries in the Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises.
Former Mass Effect and Star Wars: KOTOR boss calls BioWare closure "sad," says the studio's "legacy will live on through those who were part of it"
Mass Effect creator Casey Hudson expressed sadness over the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game. He reflected on his time at the studio, emphasizing that its legacy will continue through its former employees and their passion for storytelling. The closure is part of broader industry layoffs, with BioWare being one of several studios impacted by recent acquisitions and financial restructuring.
Star Wars Games Could Get More Interesting As Lucasfilm Looks Beyond The Big Studios
Lucasfilm Games is looking to partner with smaller, independent studios to create a wider variety of Star Wars titles beyond traditional AAA releases. VP Douglas Reilly stated that the strategy involves finding the best partners for specific experiences, not just major publishers, highlighting recent successes like Star Wars Zero Company and Star Wars Galactic Racer. This approach aims to explore diverse genres and fulfill various player fantasies within the Star Wars universe.
New ‘more flexible’ Star Wars games to be released after Galactic Racer success
Lucasfilm Games is adopting a more flexible approach to partnerships, seeking out smaller studios for unique Star Wars titles alongside major AAA releases. Recent successes like Galactic Racer and Zero Company have validated this strategy, encouraging the company to explore diverse genres and pitches from a wider range of developers.
Mass Effect successor Exodus announces 2027 release date at Gamescom
Archetype Entertainment announced that its original sci-fi RPG, Exodus, will launch on April 7, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The game, developed by former Mass Effect staff, features a new trailer showcasing companion characters and has surpassed 500,000 wishlists. Exodus is published by Wizards of the Coast.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Team Used AI Used to “Iterate on Ideas Faster and More Efficiently”
Crystal Dynamics confirmed the use of generative AI tools for early development and concept art in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, assuring that all final content is human-crafted. The studio stated AI helps iterate ideas faster and more efficiently, while other companies like Rockstar Games emphasize their handcrafted approach for titles like Grand Theft Auto 6.
Star Wars Eclipse is in “Development Hell,” Quantic Dream Want to Exit NetEase – Rumor
Rumors suggest that Quantic Dream's Star Wars Eclipse is in "development hell" and the studio wishes to divest from NetEase. The project has reportedly faced significant issues, compounded by the shutdown of their previous game, Spellcasters Chronicles. Quantic Dream is also undergoing an internal reorganization that may lead to layoffs.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic Won’t be 200 Hours Long or Use Generative AI
Casey Hudson, director of Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, stated the upcoming RPG will not be excessively long, aiming for completion rather than hundreds of hours of gameplay. He also confirmed the game will not utilize generative AI, which he described as "creatively soulless." The project is being funded by Simon Zhu's GreaterThan Group, which has raised $40 million and secured commitments for nearly $60 million more, with a goal of publishing innovative projects.
AI is 'creatively soulless,' says director of Mass Effect and Knights of the Old Republic: 'I’m just really unimpressed with it'
Casey Hudson, director of Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect, expressed skepticism about the creative potential of AI in game development, calling it 'creatively soulless.' He believes generative AI tools are not significantly helpful in the development process. This contrasts with views from Sony Interactive Entertainment and Neowiz, who see AI as a tool for future gaming experiences.
Star Wars Fate of the Old Republic boss Casey Hudson is done with 100-hour games: "A lot of players just want to…
Casey Hudson, lead on Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic and veteran of the Mass Effect and Knights of the Old Republic series, believes that games should be shorter and more focused. He argues that many players prefer experiences they can finish, rather than excessively long RPGs with hundreds of hours of content. His studio, Arcanaut Studios, aims to offer replayability through alternate plotlines rather than sheer length.
Former NetEase exec Simon Zhu secures $100m to launch GreaterThan Group
Former NetEase executive Simon Zhu has launched GreaterThan Group (GTG), a new holding company that has secured $100 million in funding. GTG will support three newly formed studios: Arcanaut Studios, led by Casey Hudson; BulletFarm, led by David Vonderhaar; and MAGship, led by Masato Saki. The company aims to provide full funding and support to game development studios, allowing creators to focus on making games.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic secures large investment as director Casey Hudson seems to reject the use of gen-AI
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, the spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic, has secured significant investment through GreaterThan Group, founded by former NetEase executive Simon Zhu. Director Casey Hudson expressed his aversion to using generative AI in development, citing it as creatively soulless. Hudson also indicated a preference for a more focused game length, aiming for completion before 2030.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic boss thinks AI is "creatively soulless"
Casey Hudson, founder of Arcanaut Studios and director of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, expressed his strong disapproval of generative AI in game development, calling it "creatively soulless." He stated that the upcoming Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic will not heavily utilize AI. Hudson also mentioned the game will be completable in under a hundred hours but will offer significant replayability.
"I just find AI to be creatively soulless": Casey Hudson on the controversial tech and Star Wars: Fate Of The Old Republic
Casey Hudson, director of the upcoming Star Wars: Fate Of The Old Republic, expressed his strong reservations about the use of artificial intelligence in game development, calling it 'creatively soulless.' He also discussed his preference for smaller development teams and games that are not excessively long, aiming for a completion experience rather than an endless grind.
Former NetEase exec's new investment group is funding Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic because 'everyone wins' if you 'give the best creator the opportunity to work on a dream project'
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a successor to Knights of the Old Republic being developed by original director Casey Hudson, is being funded by GreaterThan Group, a new investment company founded by former NetEase executive Simon Zhu. Zhu aims to support developers impacted by industry turmoil, stating that giving creators the opportunity to work on their dream projects benefits everyone involved. GreaterThan Group has also invested in BulletFarm, a studio founded by David Vonderhaar.
New Star Wars RPG led by Mass Effect boss backed by $100 million fund "bringing common sense back to the games industry" as it "treats developers so badly"
GreaterThan Group, a new holding company founded by former NetEase president Simon Zhu, has secured $100 million to fund game development. Among its initial projects is Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic, led by Arcanaut Studios co-founder Casey Hudson. Zhu aims to create better conditions for developers, stating the industry currently treats them poorly.
Former NetEase Exec’s New Company is Funding Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, BulletFarm
Former NetEase executive Simon Zhu has launched GreaterThan Group, a new holding company aiming to invest $40 million in global video game development. The company is funding Arcanaut Studios' Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic and BulletFarm, a shooter project led by industry veteran David Vonderhaar. Zhu expressed optimism about balancing artistic achievement with commercial success, noting a shift in investment focus from gaming to AI.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic Team Continues to Bring on Former KOTOR, Mass Effect Devs
Arcanaut Studios is assembling a development team for Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, heavily featuring former BioWare developers who worked on Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect. Director Casey Hudson stated the game will honor the legacy of Knights of the Old Republic with a new story and modern technology, though it will not carry over established lore due to Disney's IP acquisition. While no release date or platforms have been officially announced, it is expected before 2030 and likely for PC and current-generation consoles.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic attracts more ex-BioWare and KOTOR talent to the team
Arcanaut Studios, a new developer founded by Casey Hudson, is assembling a team with significant BioWare and Knights of the Old Republic experience for its upcoming Star Wars RPG, Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic. Recent hires include art director Pascal Blanché, CTO Ryan Hoyle, and director Caroline Livingstone, all of whom have worked on previous Star Wars or Mass Effect titles. While the game is not expected before 2030, the studio continues to grow its talent pool.
Surprise: The studio making Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic is full of former BioWare devs
Arcanaut Studios, the developer behind the upcoming Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, is heavily staffed by former BioWare employees, including key figures from the original Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect series. Casey Hudson, who led development on the original KotOR, is CEO and game director at Arcanaut. The studio's leadership team features numerous individuals with extensive BioWare histories, suggesting a strong focus on recapturing the spirit of those beloved RPGs.
