BioWare
BioWare business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
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.
Hasbro takes $56 million hit over multiple game cancellations, but it's still talking about how Baldur's Gate…
Hasbro reported a $56 million non-cash impairment due to the cancellation of several video games slated for release in 2028 and beyond. The company is refocusing its digital investment on key franchises like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, aiming to reduce overall digital spend by 25% annually by 2028.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake might be re-revealed this year, a new report suggests
A new report suggests that the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake, currently in development at Saber Interactive, may be re-revealed later this year. Sources indicate that development has been progressing smoothly since Saber began the project from scratch, with a potential release window of 2027 or 2028. The original game, released in 2003 by BioWare, is considered a classic RPG.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Remake Might be Revealed in Late 2026 – Rumor
A new report suggests that the remake of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is progressing well under Saber Interactive, with a potential reveal planned for late 2026, though this could be pushed to 2027. Development was initially handled by Aspyr before being transferred to Mad Head Games, working with Saber Interactive. The original 2003 RPG was developed by BioWare.
Games Inbox: What new Fallout game will be the best?
Readers discuss the future of the Fallout franchise, expressing excitement for potential remasters and a sequel to Fallout: New Vegas, while also lamenting the long wait for new entries. The conversation touches on Microsoft's influence, studio management, and the broader state of game development and preservation.
The toughest choices in PC games
This article explores some of the most challenging moral and narrative choices presented to players in PC games, spanning titles from Ultima 4 to Frostpunk. It highlights how games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, The Walking Dead, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt force players into difficult decisions with significant consequences.
Vague Patch Notes: Long-term content vs. short-term content in MMORPGs
This analysis explores the distinction between short-term and long-term content in MMORPGs, using examples from Final Fantasy XIV, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Warframe. It argues that both types of content are crucial for player engagement and game longevity, with short-term content providing immediate experiences and long-term content offering sustained engagement.
Studio founded by former Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes GM lays off staff
Azra Games, a studio founded by former EA executive Mark Otero, has laid off an unspecified number of employees less than two years after raising $42 million in investment. The studio stated the staffing reduction is a shift from a production phase to optimization and polish for its upcoming game, UnGodly. This news follows reports of other studios, including 11 Bit Studios, also undergoing layoffs.
With PS3 and Vita digital stores closing, I've unearthed the best physical games to add to your collection before…
Sony is closing the digital storefronts for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita on August 9, 2024, impacting the availability of digital-only games and DLC. This closure is expected to increase the value and scarcity of physical game releases for these platforms. The article highlights several key physical titles across PS3, PS Vita, and PS2 that players should consider acquiring before prices potentially rise significantly.