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The next Mass Effect would have had 'a level of autonomy and choice that no other game has been able to…
A former cinematic supervisor at BioWare, Tony de Waal, has spoken about the ambitious plans for the now-canceled Mass Effect 4, which aimed for unprecedented player autonomy. The studio's closure, part of a restructuring at EA following its acquisition by Saudi Arabia's PIF, has led to layoffs and a shift towards live service games, leaving many talented developers seeking new employment.
EA closes Mass Effect, Dragon Age creator BioWare after 30 years of game development
Electronic Arts has announced the closure of BioWare, the acclaimed studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age, after 30 years of development. The closure is accompanied by significant layoffs across EA, including 50 employees at BioWare working on a new Mass Effect title, which has now been canceled. This decision follows a recent acquisition of EA and a strategic review of the company's portfolio.
Hidden content made Baldur's Gate 3 special, but Fallout co-creator worries RPGs are ditching secrets because "nobody thinks people will find things on their own"
Fallout co-creator Timothy Cain expresses concern that modern RPGs are becoming too linear and are ditching hidden content because developers and publishers are prioritizing unseen content and common player experiences. He argues that this trend, exemplified by the move away from unguided exploration and optional dialogue, diminishes the sense of discovery that made older RPGs special, though he acknowledges that beloved studios like Larian and FromSoftware may continue to include such features.
Baldur's Gate 3 actor says her role as an iconic goblin is the reason Atlus cast her in hit JRPG Metaphor:…
Voice actor Holly-Marie Michael revealed that her role as the goblin Sazza in Baldur's Gate 3 directly led to her casting as Catherina in Atlus's upcoming RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio. Michael's Cockney accent for Sazza was specifically requested for the English dub of Catherina, highlighting how a notable performance in one acclaimed RPG can open doors to another.
RPGs are simply better when you're an idiot
This article argues that role-playing games are more engaging when they embrace player failure and incompetence, rather than solely selling a power fantasy. It highlights how games like Disco Elysium and Baldur's Gate 3, along with tabletop RPGs, create richer narratives and more satisfying successes by allowing for mistakes and unexpected consequences.
Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring are "North Stars" for Tencent as the company tries to build the next Larian or FromSoftware: "That is the long-term commitment"
Tencent aims to replicate the success of studios like Larian and FromSoftware by focusing on genre leadership and long-term developer support, citing Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring as benchmarks. VP Yong-yi Zhu emphasized the company's commitment to nurturing talent and iterating on genres over multiple titles, contrasting this with their own portfolio of evergreen live service games.
Warlock boss says don't expect a Baldur's Gate 3-style fluid story: "The main narrative moments you're going to go through are written down"
Invoke's general manager Dominique Guay clarified that Warlock: Dungeons and Dragons will feature a more linear narrative compared to Baldur's Gate 3, with main story moments being pre-written. While Warlock focuses on the journey of a single protagonist, Kaatri, it will still include allies and developing relationships.
"Getting sidetracked doesn’t feel too unnatural": Baldur's Gate 3 Act Two Expansion modder on how they seamlessly fit a "detour" to fight an army into the RPG's plot
Modder SquallyDaBeanz discusses their custom campaign for Baldur's Gate 3, which adds a new chapter between Act 2 and Act 3. They explain how the mod seamlessly integrates a side quest into the main narrative, allowing players to explore without losing narrative momentum. The modder also touches on the challenges of modding the game, crediting community efforts for overcoming toolkit bugs and documentation gaps.
"I'm surprised there's any backlash": Baldur's Gate 3 lead doesn't see why The Blood of Dawnwalker's time feature is so controversial, says it's "perfectly interwoven"
Baldur's Gate 3 publishing director Michael Douse expressed surprise at the backlash surrounding The Blood of Dawnwalker's controversial 30-day time restriction mechanic. Douse, who is nearing the end of the vampire RPG, believes the feature is a "perfectly interwoven narrative tool" and enjoys the game's gothic atmosphere and antagonists. He also shared ideas for future installments, suggesting Rebel Wolves lean further into the gothic themes and the coexistence of humans and vampires.
Baldur's Gate 3 publishing lead worries for Fallout: New Vegas dev Obsidian as Bethesda takes over management of the studio, says he "can't imagine that feels great"
Baldur's Gate 3 publishing lead Michael Douse expressed concern over Bethesda taking over management of Obsidian Entertainment, suggesting it would be a difficult situation for the studio. This news comes amid significant layoffs at Xbox, impacting both Bethesda and Obsidian, and follows the unveiling of a new collaborative Fallout game and remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas.
GTA 6 will not be eligible to complete Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's 'Big 5'…
Grand Theft Auto 6 will not be eligible to win a 'Big 5' Game of the Year award sweep in the upcoming season due to its November 19 release date, which falls after the Golden Joystick Awards ceremony. Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are the only studios to have achieved this feat within a single awards season. While Grand Theft Auto 6 may still win individual awards, it cannot replicate the specific sweep achieved by the other titles.
An ambitious fanmade expansion for Baldur's Gate 3 is out after almost two years in development
A fan-made expansion for Baldur's Gate 3, titled 'Baldur's Gate 3: Act Two Expansion,' has been released after nearly two years of development. The mod adds a new region called The Chionthar Wilds, featuring new creatures, items, quests, NPCs, and cutscenes, aiming to provide content similar in scope to the game's first act.
Baldur's Gate 3 Act Two Expansion mod, out now in beta, adds a whole new region to explore after dealing with the Shadow Curse
A new beta version of the 'Act Two Expansion' mod for Baldur's Gate 3 has been released, adding a new region called The Chionthar Wilds with new missions and dungeons. Developed over two years by modder SquallyDaBeanz, the mod is playable from start to finish but is noted to have an uneven polish and potential bugs, with recommendations to save often and have a way to cheat to Act 3.
Steam is shoveling RPGs at people right now, and I think it's the perfect time to get Divinity: Original Sin for…
Larian Studios' Divinity: Original Sin is currently on sale for its lowest price ever at 90% off on Steam, making the Enhanced Edition $3.99 and the Collector's Edition $6.99. This significant discount is part of ongoing Steam sales and Larian's promotional efforts. The article also touches on the development of the upcoming Divinity reboot, with insights from Larian's technical animation director and CEO.
PAX West 2026 at the Seattle Convention Center (photos) — MP3s & NPCs
PAX West 2026 took place at the Seattle Convention Center, featuring thousands of fans and exhibitors like Sega, Konami, Atari, and Larian Studios. The four-day event showcased a variety of video games and tabletop RPGs, alongside panels and entertainment such as a live Daggerheart show. PAX West is scheduled to return from September 3 to September 6 next year.
HBO boss continues to suggest The Last of Us Season 3 is the series' final season
HBO boss Casey Bloys has reiterated his belief that The Last of Us television series will conclude after its third season, despite showrunner Craig Mazin suggesting it might take longer. Bloys' recent comments suggest a potential shift in plans, possibly influenced by a more divided audience reaction to the second season compared to the first. Meanwhile, Mazin is also working on an adaptation of Baldur's Gate 3 for HBO.
Valve finally backs down after age-restricting a Steam vampire RPG without any sex or nudity for having too much sex and…
Valve has removed the 'adults only' age restriction from the upcoming Steam RPG Nighthawks after the developer Wadjet Eye Games protested the classification. The game, which features mild adult situations and non-explicit nudity, was mistakenly flagged by Valve, severely impacting its visibility. While the situation caused significant stress for the developers, it ultimately led to increased awareness of the game.
Building a D&D game post-BG3: Why Warlock wants you to "feel like you're cheating"
Invoke's upcoming Dungeons & Dragons RPG, Warlock, aims to capture the creative spirit of tabletop play, drawing inspiration from Baldur's Gate 3's success in translating lore and player agency. Vice President Dominic Guay emphasizes the game's focus on flexible spell usage and player creativity, allowing for "cheating-like" interactions to solve problems, rather than solely relying on narrative choices.
Baldur's Gate 3's Astarion teams up with The Blood of Dawnwalker's Coen to ponder "the ennui of immortality"
Neil Newbon, the voice actor for Baldur's Gate 3's Astarion, and Will de Renzy-Martin, actor for The Blood of Dawnwalker's Coen, discuss the themes of immortality and the vampire trope. They explore how both games delve into the complexities of eternal life and the human condition, with Newbon emphasizing the importance of portraying the person beneath the vampire.
Inside Tencent's long-term strategy: live service, AI tools, and evergreen titles
Tencent's long-term strategy for its global games division centers on building sustainable communities through live service titles and evergreen IPs, alongside investing in high-quality talent and synergistic partnerships. The company is also embracing AI as a tool to enhance developer efficiency and iteration, rather than replace human roles, while navigating challenges in global integration and outsourcing.
