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Mass Effect-like Exodus gets a release date, while showcasing an octopus companion in a mech suit
The Mass Effect-inspired RPG Exodus will launch on April 7, 2027, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Revealed during Gamescom Opening Night Live, a trailer showcased the companion Salt, an octopus piloting a mech suit. The game features time dilation mechanics to show the consequences of player decisions made during long-distance missions.
Former EA manager will "believe" the next Mass Effect is happening "when I see it" after $55 billion acquisition: "They can pull the plug very, very easily"
A former EA manager, Emmanuel Rosier, expressed skepticism about the future of Mass Effect 5 following Electronic Arts' acquisition by private investors. Rosier, now with Newzoo, stated that EA could easily cancel the project, especially if the new investors prioritize financial decisions over the studio's history. He noted that BioWare has struggled in recent years and that games can take a very long time to develop, citing Dragon Age: The Veilguard's lengthy development.
"I don't know if they will keep funding that one" - Former EA manager doesn't believe the next Mass Effect will survive Saudi takeover
A former Electronic Arts manager, Emmanuel Rosier, expressed doubt about the continued funding for the next Mass Effect game following EA's acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Rosier, now with Newzoo, believes BioWare's IPs are at risk due to the studio's recent struggles and EA's potential need to leverage its most profitable franchises to manage its debt.
Next Mass Effect Game Might Not Get Funding Following EA’s Acquisition, Says Former Exec
A former Electronic Arts executive suggests that EA's acquisition by the Public Investment Fund could jeopardize funding for the Mass Effect franchise. The executive believes EA will prioritize its major IPs like EA Sports FC and esports, potentially leading to the cancellation of less profitable or struggling franchises like Mass Effect, despite CEO Andrew Wilson's statements about bold investment.
Star Wars: The Old Republic hopes to recapture the 'classic' experience with difficulty options and a new way…
Star Wars: The Old Republic is introducing update 8.0, which includes a raised level cap, new zones on Ryloth, and two new difficulty systems. The update aims to recapture a 'classic' experience with a difficulty slider and new 'venture' characters offering classic and expert modes with special rewards.
These Mass Effect veterans are carrying the RPG's "principles" into a new game that sounds like Dispatch…
Studio Reset, founded by three former BioWare developers, is developing a new narrative-driven adventure game called The Eventide. The game features a contemporary Canadian setting with "neon noir" detective vibes and a watercolor art style, drawing inspiration from The X-Files. Players will manage a team of paranormal detectives, assigning them to cases based on their unique perspectives and expertise, a system designed to carry forward BioWare's principles of character and world-building.
"If I was buying BioWare, I would want everything": Former Dragon Age lead thinks "there are several ways" the developer survives EA's $55 billion buyout, but none are pretty
Former BioWare executive Mark Darrah discusses potential scenarios for the studio's survival following Electronic Arts' acquisition by the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. He suggests that BioWare might be sold off with its IPs and technology, or its IPs could be sold individually, though he expresses concern about the overall impact on the developer and its catalog.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic devs were so committed to the RPG's bad language that they spent a day…
Developers for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic faced restrictions from Lucasfilm regarding the use of the word 'damn'. Despite a writer's efforts to find in-film precedents, most instances were removed due to rights holder decisions, though a few remained, contributing to the game's T for Teen ESRB rating.
Games Inbox: Is Final Fantasy 7 still the most popular JRPG?
Readers discuss the perceived lack of hype for the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, questioning if the original game's age hinders its popularity as a JRPG. Other topics include reader interest in Take-Two's post-Grand Theft Auto 6 plans, the potential for a live-action Zelda movie, and the future of digital distribution versus physical media.
EA selling BioWare and Mass Effect would be the best news ever - Reader's Feature
A reader expresses concern over Electronic Arts' financial situation and its potential impact on BioWare and the Mass Effect franchise. The author suggests that EA selling BioWare would be beneficial, allowing the studio to regain independence and potentially revive the Mass Effect series, which they believe is unlikely to continue under EA's current management due to financial pressures.
BioWare veteran says Baldur's Gate 3 was such a great sequel because it didn't try to be too much like…
BioWare veteran Mark Darrah believes Baldur's Gate 3 succeeded because Larian Studios embraced its own identity while drawing inspiration from the original games and the evolution of CRPGs. He suggests that instead of trying to replicate the past, Larian's unique approach, blending elements of Divinity: Original Sin, made Baldur's Gate 3 a standout sequel that overshadowed its predecessors.
Dragon Age was always "too niche, too backwards, too old-school" in EA's eyes, former BioWare lead argues
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah argues that Electronic Arts never truly understood the Dragon Age franchise, viewing it as "too niche, too backwards, too old-school" compared to Mass Effect. This alleged misunderstanding led to reported corporate intervention and development shifts, including the eventual reboot of Dragon Age 4 into what became Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which reportedly did not meet sales expectations.
Iron Man to Ark 2: 15 announced games which have disappeared into the ether
This article highlights 15 announced video games that have seemingly disappeared into development hell, with no substantial news or release dates for years. Titles like Star Wars Eclipse, Little Devil Inside, and Beyond Good & Evil 2 are discussed as examples of games stuck in limbo, some technically not cancelled but facing significant development challenges or prolonged silence, raising concerns about their eventual release.
Saudi Arabia’s $55 Billion EA Takeover Casts a Shadow Over Mass Effect 5
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has acquired a controlling stake in Electronic Arts for $55 billion, taking the publisher private. This acquisition raises concerns among fans and developers about potential censorship and changes to inclusive content in franchises like Mass Effect and The Sims, particularly given the country's laws regarding homosexuality. The future of Mass Effect 5, currently in early development at BioWare, is now uncertain under new ownership.
BioWare vets' new X Files-like mystery game could "not exist in the AAA space" that would rather "throw money at a problem" than experiment
Studio Reset, an indie developer comprised of BioWare veterans, is creating a supernatural mystery game called The Eventide. The developers believe that AAA studios are too risk-averse to create games with the unique "neon-noir" aesthetic and investigative gameplay that The Eventide offers. The game, built in Unreal Engine 5, focuses on creative freedom and mature narrative themes, distinguishing itself from the larger, more experimental-averse AAA space.
Mass Effect 3 dev demanded answers from the RPG's writing team when she realized her alien husband was hooking up…
Mass Effect 3 level designer Kris Schoneberg discovered an unexpected romantic pairing between Tali and Garrus while testing the game, a development she found so surprising she confronted the writing team. This narrative detail highlights the autonomous nature of the crew's personal lives within the Mass Effect universe, even when the player doesn't pursue romantic relationships.
EA to Cut Costs by $700 Million Annually, Potential Mass Layoffs Inbound – Rumor
Electronic Arts is reportedly planning to cut $700 million in annual costs following its acquisition by the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. This move is expected to lead to significant layoffs across the company, despite EA's current financial stability. New investors plan to leverage AI in game development, which could also impact staffing.
EA Has Officially Been Sold, And What Comes Next Could Be Painful
Electronic Arts has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in a $55 billion leveraged buyout, making it the largest LBO in history. The deal has raised concerns about potential layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations due to the significant debt involved. EA CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in his position, but the company's future financial operations will be less transparent as it moves from public to private ownership.
An All-Digital Future Isn’t The Only Threat To Video Game Preservation
Dragon Age creator Mark Darrah explains that remasters of the first three Dragon Age games are unlikely due to a lack of developers familiar with BioWare's proprietary Aurora engine. This contrasts with the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, which benefited from using the more common Unreal Engine. Darrah also reveals his past plans for a "Champion's Edition" trilogy, which were hampered by studio layoffs and internal disagreements at BioWare.
The great RPG debate: Do RPGs really need romanceable companions?
This opinion piece debates whether romanceable companions are a necessary feature in role-playing games. While BioWare's legacy has popularized the trope, the article argues that its inclusion can sometimes lead to formulaic design and wish fulfillment, contrasting it with more nuanced approaches seen in games like Baldur's Gate 3.
