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What if Stop Killing Games win? Anthem, SpaceCraft and Warframe devs on the "massive undertaking" of reverse engineering an always-online game
The article discusses the challenges and importance of game preservation for live service titles, using Warframe as a primary example. It explores the difficulties of reverse engineering always-online games and the efforts of groups like Stop Killing Games to advocate for offline modes and legal requirements for game longevity. Experts like Scott McGregor and Mark Darrah weigh in on the technical and financial hurdles, while the piece also touches on the potential impact of such regulations on the future development of live service games.
Dragon Age's former producer had envisioned a 'Champions Edition' equivalent to Mass Effect's Legendary Edition, but he doesn't think it will happen anymore: 'There are basically no companies that could help you'
Former Dragon Age producer Mark Darrah believes a "Champion's Edition" remaster for the Dragon Age series is unlikely due to technical challenges. Unlike the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, which benefited from using the consistent Unreal Engine, the Dragon Age games were built on different, now poorly understood, proprietary engines. Darrah suggests that EA's reluctance to form new teams for such projects further diminishes the possibility of a remaster.
"We will continue to make CRPGs because we love them" despite new BioWare-style title, says OwlCat Games' senior lead
Owlcat Games, known for its CRPGs like Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, plans to continue developing in the genre despite venturing into action RPGs with The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. Creative director Alexander Mishulin stated the studio's love for CRPGs drives their commitment to the genre, while also seeking to innovate and explore different approaches to RPG design.
Another BioWare veteran steps forth to say a Dragon Age remaster isn't impossible, but that doesn't mean it will happen: "In no means a trivial exercise"
BioWare co-founder Trent Oster believes that remastering the original Dragon Age games is possible, though it would be a complex undertaking. However, Mark Darrah, who co-directed Dragon Age: Origins, expressed skepticism, citing a lack of current BioWare staff familiar with the old engine and publisher Electronic Arts' tendency to keep IPs dormant.
Saudi Arabia's $55 billion takeover of Electronic Arts will happen next week
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is set to complete its $55 billion takeover of Electronic Arts next week, with all regulatory approvals secured. This acquisition, which will take EA private, has raised concerns among content creators and former employees regarding potential shifts in game content and the company's values. The deal, the largest leveraged buyout in history, will saddle EA with significant debt, potentially leading to cost-cutting measures focused on its most profitable franchises like Battlefield and EA Sports FC.
BioWare's Former Dragon Age Boss Says a Mass Effect-Style Remaster Trilogy Is Pretty Much Impossible
A former BioWare executive stated that a Mass Effect-style remaster trilogy for the original Dragon Age games is practically impossible. The executive cited technical challenges as the primary reason why such a project would be unfeasible.
"Basically no one at BioWare" knows how Dragon Age works anymore, says studio veteran, so don't expect a remaster like Mass Effect's even if one would sell "super well"
Former BioWare director Mark Darrah stated that a remaster of the original Dragon Age trilogy is unlikely due to significant technical challenges and a lack of studio expertise with the older engines. Unlike the Mass Effect trilogy, which used Unreal Engine, the Dragon Age games utilize outdated proprietary engines that few at BioWare understand anymore. Despite potential sales success, especially after the popularity of Baldur's Gate 3, the development hurdles and the underwhelming performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard make such a project improbable.
"The Case of the Golden Idol-style deduction meets The X-Files": Former BioWare devs unveil supernatural detective game The Eventide
Studio Reset, an indie developer formed by former BioWare staff, has fully revealed its supernatural detective game, The Eventide. The game features a "Parallax Deduction" system where players select two agents with different investigative styles to solve cases. Inspired by The Case of the Golden Idol, it blends supernatural mystery with a neon-noir aesthetic and is available on Steam.
This X-Files-Inspired Detective Game Wants You To Solve Mysteries From Every Angle
The Eventide is a supernatural detective game from Studio Reset, featuring a team of paranormal investigators in a neon-noir Canadian city. Players will utilize a "Parallax Deduction" system, assigning different agents with unique backgrounds and perspectives to solve cases, influencing the investigation's outcome. The game aims to blend mature narrative themes with supernatural mystery, featuring fixed-camera exploration and agent-driven deduction, and is set to release on PC via Steam.
A Dragon Age Trilogy remaster probably won't happen as no one still employed at BioWare knows how the engine works, claims producer
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah stated that a remaster of the original Dragon Age trilogy is unlikely because current employees lack knowledge of the proprietary Aurora engine used for Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2. Unlike the Mass Effect trilogy, which used Unreal Engine and was successfully remastered, Dragon Age's older engine makes such a project technically challenging and costly for Electronic Arts. Despite these hurdles, Darrah believes a remaster would still sell well.
"Dragon Age: Origins wasn’t the most attractive game": BioWare's old series producer still thinks a DA remaster trilogy is worth it, but the knowhow isn't there
Former Dragon Age producer Mark Darrah believes a remaster trilogy of the original games would sell well, but acknowledges the technical challenges. He cites the proprietary Eclipse and Lycium engines used in the early titles, contrasting them with the more industry-standard Unreal Engine used for Mass Effect. Darrah also notes that expertise on these older BioWare engines is scarce within the company and externally, making such a project difficult to undertake.
Game History and Preservation
A producer for BioWare has stated that a remaster trilogy for the Dragon Age series is unlikely due to a lack of personnel familiar with the original game engine. This raises concerns about the preservation of older game titles.
BioWare Lost The Knowledge Needed To Remaster Dragon Age, Former Producer Says
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah stated that a remaster of the Dragon Age trilogy is unlikely because the studio has lost the necessary institutional knowledge to work with the original games' engines. Unlike the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, which benefited from the common Unreal Engine 3, the Dragon Age games utilized proprietary engines for which few, if any, developers at BioWare remain knowledgeable. This comes amidst reports of Dragon Age: The Veilguard's poor commercial performance and potential future sale of BioWare by Electronic Arts.
Mark Darrah thinks that Dragon Age is dead. If it ever were to continue, it needs to be reset
Former BioWare developer Mark Darrah believes the Dragon Age franchise is likely finished due to Electronic Arts' mismanagement and lack of clear direction. Despite the commercial failure of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the article argues that a reset or even letting the franchise go might be beneficial, drawing parallels to the success of Baldur's Gate 3 in proving the viability of long, deep RPGs.
EA is 'a hedge fund with a videogame hobby,' former Dragon Age boss says, and that's why he reckons the…
Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah believes Electronic Arts' (EA) complicated relationship with shipping games makes a new Dragon Age title unlikely. He described EA as a "hedge fund with a videogame hobby" and noted that even if another studio pitched a new game, internal politics at EA would likely prevent it. Former lead writer David Gaider added that EA executives may not understand the franchise's appeal, deeming it non-essential.
Baldur's Gate 4 should just be an "oversized expansion pack for Baldur's Gate 3," BioWare veteran says: "Get Larian to agree to license out the Divinity Engine"
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah suggests that Baldur's Gate 4 should be developed as an 'oversized expansion pack' for Baldur's Gate 3, proposing that Larian Studios license out its Divinity Engine. However, Larian CEO Swen Vincke has stated the studio is moving on from the Baldur's Gate series. Hasbro is reportedly exploring options for Baldur's Gate 4 with other developers.
Dragon Age: Thedas at War is a BioWare RPG-inspired Crusader Kings 3 total conversion mod that's here to keep the series alive while it sits in EA limbo
A total conversion mod for Crusader Kings 3, titled Dragon Age: Thedas at War, has been released by BioWare fans. This mod allows players to experience the Dragon Age universe by managing kingdoms, waging wars, and engaging in politics within Thedas. It features Dragon Age-specific cultures, religions, and the ability to play as a mage, with ongoing plans for further content additions.
Dragon Age veteran says a series comeback would be difficult with EA's "frightening" graveyard of dormant IP: "I suspect that it wouldn't happen"
Former BioWare veteran Mark Darrah believes a comeback for the Dragon Age series would be difficult due to Electronic Arts' management of dormant intellectual properties. He suggests that EA's focus on financial performance over game development, coupled with internal challenges at BioWare and potential ownership changes, makes it unlikely for a new Dragon Age game to be pitched and approved.
Xbox releases four original console games on PC thanks to Backwards Compatibility, but they chose the wrong ones
Microsoft has released four original Xbox console games on PC via backwards compatibility, including Fuzion Frenzy, BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Conker: Live & Reloaded. The article criticizes the selection of games and the lack of achievements at launch, suggesting more popular titles like Halo: Combat Evolved or Jade Empire would have been better choices.
EA Sale To Saudi Arabia Clears A Major Hurdle
Electronic Arts' proposed sale to an investor consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has received approval from the European Commission, clearing a significant hurdle. While the $55 billion deal is structured as a leveraged buyout, potential cost-cutting measures like layoffs and studio closures at EA and its subsidiaries, such as BioWare, are a concern for employees.
