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One of the best quests in Baldur's Gate 3 is also its scariest, and it doesn't have anything to do with ghosts…
The Iron Throne quest in Baldur's Gate 3 is highlighted as one of the game's most effective and terrifying experiences due to its unique implementation of a strict timer and the potential for permanent character loss. This design choice subverts player expectations and creates genuine panic, making even minor errors feel consequential and the quest deeply memorable.
Interior Night studio head Charu Desodt appointed chair of BAFTA Games Committee
Charu Desodt, studio director at Interior Night, has been appointed the new chair of the BAFTA Games Committee, succeeding Tara Saunders. Desodt brings over 25 years of industry experience from companies like Microsoft and Sony. Hilary Rosen also takes on a new role as Chair of the BAFTA Board of Trustees.
Gameplay from cancelled Transformers Reactivate leaks and it looks amazing
Gameplay footage has leaked for the cancelled Transformers game, Transformers Reactivate, developed by Splash Damage. The footage showcases a third-person shooter with Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, suggesting a promising direction before its cancellation in January 2025. The game reportedly pivoted from a live service model to a single-player campaign with optional co-op.
This Book Release Is Basically GTA 6 Launch For Thirsty Women, And Larian Knows It
Larian Studios has acknowledged the significant female audience for Baldur's Gate 3 by creating in-game content referencing Sarah J. Maas's popular 'Romantasy' novel series, A Court of Thorns and Roses. This marketing move is seen as a clever way to engage with fans of both gaming and the burgeoning Romantasy genre, drawing parallels between the appeal of games like Baldur's Gate 3 and the themes found in fantasy romance novels.
The developer of one of my favorite 2020s RPGs does it because of BioWare: 'Baldur's Gate 1 is the first game…
Anders Lauridsen, lead developer of Skald: Against the Black Priory, discusses how BioWare's Baldur's Gate was the first game he truly loved and a major inspiration for his career in CRPGs. He highlights how BioWare's games captured the essence of tabletop role-playing and inspired a generation of developers.
Canadian political party leader blames BioWare's closure on private equity, says government should help former employees buy it back
Avi Lewis, leader of Canada's NDP, has criticized the closure of BioWare, attributing it to private equity practices that prioritize short-term profit over business longevity. Lewis suggested that federal support should be provided to allow BioWare employees to buy back and run the studio themselves. This incident is part of a broader trend of politicians engaging with video game industry issues.
Mass Effect 5 Set 600+ Years After the Original Trilogy, Featured “Hitman-Style” Freedom – Rumor
A rumor suggests that the next Mass Effect game, potentially Mass Effect 5, is set over 600 years after the original trilogy and would feature a customizable N7 agent protagonist. The game reportedly includes three ruling factions, an alliance between humans, Krogan, and Batarians, and a "galactic Cold War" setting. Gameplay is described as having "Hitman-style" freedom with hacking and executions, while Liara returns as an Asari Matriarch.
BioWare's incredible legacy will continue as long as there are RPGs
This article reflects on the significant legacy of BioWare, a studio that has profoundly influenced the RPG genre with titles like Baldur's Gate, Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age. Despite acknowledging BioWare's own missteps and the detrimental impact of corporate decisions, the author emphasizes the enduring impact of its innovative design choices, storytelling, and representation in games, suggesting its influence will persist as long as RPGs are made.
New Blood CEO confirms it: the worst way to sell immersive sims like Gloomwood and Fallen Aces is to call them immersive…
New Blood Interactive CEO Dave Oshry believes that marketing games as 'immersive sims' is detrimental to sales, stating the term is niche and off-putting to mainstream audiences. He argues that categorizing these games as RPGs, like Baldur's Gate 3, would be more commercially viable, citing the struggles of titles like Prey and the success of the 'boomer shooter' label.
"What if Larian had shut down after Divine Divinity?": Star Trek Online exec scorns publishers who close teams like BioWare in favour of "AAA veteran" start-ups and AI "magic beans"
Star Trek Online executive producer Thomas Marrone criticizes the industry practice of shutting down established development teams in favor of new studios led by "AAA veterans" or relying on emerging technologies like AI. He argues this approach is irresponsible and self-sabotaging, highlighting that successful studios like Larian and Blizzard often achieve breakthroughs after multiple titles and years of team collaboration. Marrone suggests that publishers prioritizing short-term financial gains should exit game development entirely.
Baldur's Gate 3 has sold over 23m copies and made around $1.2b so far, analyst claims - but only 1% of players have crossed the 500 hour mark in playtime
An analyst from Alinea Analytics estimates that Baldur's Gate 3 has sold over 23.2 million copies and generated approximately $1.2 billion in revenue. The figures indicate strong sales across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, with PC accounting for the majority. Despite the massive sales, only about 1% of players have surpassed 500 hours of playtime.
Mass Effect 5 Took Cues From Larian, CD Projekt RED For Player Agency, Says Former Developer
Former BioWare developers have shared insights into the canceled Mass Effect 5, revealing it aimed for unprecedented player autonomy by drawing inspiration from Larian Studios and CD Projekt RED. Despite the project's cancellation and BioWare's reported shutdown, former employees expressed sadness over the lost potential and praised the talent within the studio.
'No other studio in the world did it better' than BioWare at its peak, says former Dragon Age lead writer…
Former BioWare lead writer David Gaider expressed sadness over the studio's closure, reflecting on its peak as an unparalleled institution in game development. He shared fond memories of the positive fan reception to Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn, which solidified his career choice. The article notes that while the closure was predictable given industry trends, it represents a significant loss for RPG development.
Farewell BioWare, you inspired so many of us, and you deserved so much better than this
BioWare, the acclaimed developer behind Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and Baldur's Gate, has been closed by Electronic Arts. The studio's closure follows a history of critical and commercial disappointments like Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem, despite its significant contributions to the RPG genre. The article laments the loss of a studio that shaped industry trends and created deeply emotional experiences for players.
Ex-BioWare boss and Mass Effect director Casey Hudson says he'll 'forever be grateful' for his time at the studio: 'Its legacy will live on'
EA has announced the closure of BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age, alongside layoffs affecting around 400 employees. Former BioWare director Casey Hudson expressed sadness but gratitude for the studio's legacy, highlighting its impact on unforgettable stories and characters. Other industry figures like Warren Spector reacted negatively to the closure.
BioWare's cancelled Mass Effect game would've learned from Baldur's Gate 3 and The Witcher to deliver "a level of autonomy and choice that no other game has"
Electronic Arts has closed its BioWare studio partner, impacting around 50 staff who were in pre-production on the next Mass Effect game. A BioWare veteran shared that the cancelled project aimed to deliver unprecedented player autonomy and choice, learning from titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and The Witcher.
Mass Effect 5 was "something special", dev says – it was BioWare's response to what Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 devs "were bringing to the table"
Former BioWare developers have shared insights into the canceled Mass Effect 5, describing it as a potentially "special" RPG that aimed to elevate player autonomy and choice. The team reportedly looked to Larian Studios' Baldur's Gate 3 and CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 for inspiration. Despite the promising development, the project was ultimately scrapped, leading to disappointment among those involved and the wider gaming community.
Games industry mourns sudden BioWare closure - "Anyone who participated in this travesty should be ashamed"
The gaming industry is mourning the sudden closure of BioWare, a legendary RPG developer, with many former employees and industry peers sharing their sadness and reflecting on the studio's legacy. The closure, which follows significant layoffs across Electronic Arts studios including Respawn and Maxis, has drawn criticism towards EA and those involved in the decision, with many expressing anger that talented developers are left jobless.
Baldur's Gate 3 boss says BioWare "led the way in making RPGs big," and that the OG dev of the D&D series shutting down is a "loss for all of us"
Larian Studios boss Swen Vincke expressed deep disappointment and sadness over the shutdown of BioWare, the original developer of the Baldur's Gate series. Vincke acknowledged BioWare's significant role in popularizing RPGs and called the studio's closure a substantial loss for the entire industry, thanking them for their contributions to gaming.
BG3's Swen Vincke's response to BioWare's closure breaks my heart. "BioWare won't show up anymore when discussing upcoming RPGs."
Electronic Arts has confirmed the closure of BioWare, the acclaimed studio behind Dragon Age and Mass Effect, resulting in approximately 400 layoffs. This decision, attributed partly to the commercial performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, has been met with widespread shock and sadness across the industry, with figures like Larian CEO Swen Vincke expressing deep regret over the loss of a pioneering RPG developer.
