Anthem
News, coverage and analysis tracking Anthem across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Ex-BioWare designer says doom and gloom about the next Mass Effect is overstated: 'I think that they can do…
Former BioWare designer Armando Troisi believes skepticism surrounding the next Mass Effect game is overstated, asserting that the studio excels at single-player, narrative-driven RPGs when left to their own devices. He suggests that the studio needs to return to its core formula, free from the pressures of live-service development and external stakeholders, to recapture its former glory.
Mass Effect 5 will be great as long as executives "get out of the way," says former designer: "We're…
Former BioWare designer Armando Troisi believes Mass Effect 5 can be a great game if executives allow developers creative freedom. However, concerns are high due to Electronic Arts' recent executive decisions, including the handling of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Anthem, and a significant buyout involving Saudi Arabia and private equity.
'That's how you actually end a live service' — this developer just shut down a free-to-play game by releasing an offline version with no microtransactions for fans to keep playing
Developer Grasshopper Manufacture has released an offline, single-player version of its live service game Let it Die for $19.99, removing all microtransactions. This move allows players to continue enjoying the game after its servers shut down, a decision praised by fans as a positive example of how to handle the end of a live service title.
The Soapbox: Online games just can’t bet on success
This opinion piece argues that developers of live service games should stop betting on guaranteed success and instead focus on delivering complete, polished experiences at launch. The author uses examples like Iron Harvest, Anthem, and Wolcen to illustrate the pitfalls of unfinished stories and overly ambitious projects. The article suggests that a more realistic approach, prioritizing a solid core experience with plans for future expansion, is more sustainable and beneficial for both developers and players, citing Valheim as a positive example.
Warframe and Anthem leads on the challenges of sustaining online games that go dark
Developers from Warframe and Anthem discuss the complexities of sustaining online games, particularly concerning server shutdowns and the challenges of making them playable post-closure. They highlight the significant technical, security, and financial hurdles corporations face in preserving these titles, contrasting with the demands of movements like 'Stop Killing Games'.
Game History and Preservation
Developers from Anthem, SpaceCraft, and Warframe discuss the significant challenges of reverse engineering always-online games for preservation purposes. The 'Stop Killing Games' campaign highlights these efforts.
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 is "unlikely" to continue at EA, says former lead David Gaider, but if you gave him the keys to the RPG he'd take it somewhere "dark" and "do things that will make people upset"
Former Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider believes the series is unlikely to continue under Electronic Arts due to the company's historical dissatisfaction with its sales performance, despite generally positive reviews for recent titles like The Veilguard. Gaider expressed that if given the opportunity, he would steer the franchise in a darker, more provocative direction, focusing on the core appeal that resonated with fans.
Dragon Age creator reckons the series is dead following Veilguard flop, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't have another go at it if given the chance
Dragon Age creator David Gaider believes the series is likely dead following the poor commercial performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Despite no longer being at BioWare, Gaider expressed interest in returning to the franchise to take it in a darker, more provocative direction if given the chance. He also commented on BioWare's current focus on Mass Effect 5 and the challenges facing game development under Electronic Arts.
Leadership lessons from Mark Darrah’s days at BioWare
Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah shares leadership and game development lessons on his YouTube channel, drawing from his experience, particularly with the troubled production of Anthem. He discusses communication breakdowns and the importance of a unified vision in game development.
PlayStation – and The Gaming Industry – Just Doesn’t Learn With Live-Service
Despite numerous high-profile failures and significant layoffs within studios like Bungie and Quantic Dream, Sony Interactive Entertainment, led by Hideaki Nishino, remains committed to pursuing live-service games. This strategy is questioned due to past setbacks and the company's historical strength in single-player titles, with concerns that chasing trends is leading to wasted investment and development resources.
Stop Killing Games suffers setback following European Parliamentary hearing - but all is not lost
The European Commission has decided not to propose new legislation for online game preservation, stating that existing EU copyright and consumer laws provide sufficient safeguards. This ruling is a setback for the Stop Killing Games movement, which had petitioned for a legal framework to prevent games from becoming unplayable when online services are shut down. While the Commission will encourage an industry code of conduct and greater transparency, it will not mandate game companies to keep titles playable indefinitely.
"The live-action Smurfs movie paid for itself entirely through product placement" - Former Dragon Age boss suggests games can be funded another way
Former Dragon Age and Anthem executive producer Mark Darrah suggests that live service games could be funded through product placement, a model more common in film. He argues this approach could be more sustainable than current monetization strategies and prevent the overemphasis on certain genres. Darrah highlights the Smurfs movie as an example of a project fully funded by product placement.
'People want MMOs', says veteran designer Jack Emmert, it's the publishers chasing WoW-level scope that…
Veteran designer Jack Emmert believes players still want MMOs, citing the sales of New World as proof, but argues that publishers' pursuit of WoW-level scope and budget leads to failure. He suggests that a more focused vision and reasonable expectations are key to creating successful new MMOs, rather than trying to replicate existing giants.
Dragon Age: Inquisition's lead narrative designer is making an adventure game world "where the ordinary starts to feel like it is hiding something"
Studio Reset, an independent Canadian studio founded by former BioWare veterans, has announced its debut project: a neon-noir supernatural mystery game. The studio, which includes lead narrative designer Kaelin Lavallée from Dragon Age: Inquisition and former Anthem creative director Kris Schoneberg, aims to modernize the adventure game genre with bold visuals and meaningful replayability, focusing on atmospheric storytelling and intuitive clue-solving.
Former BioWare, Inflexion Games, and Timbre Games developers launch Studio Reset
Studio Reset, a new Canadian indie studio founded by former developers from BioWare, Inflexion Games, and Timbre Games, has officially launched. The studio is working on a neon-noir supernatural mystery title and aims for a sustainable, lean operating model. Key founding members include Kaelin Lavallée, Kris Schoneberg, and Francis Lacuna, who have experience with major franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
Surprise: The studio making Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic is full of former BioWare devs
Arcanaut Studios, the developer behind the upcoming Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, is heavily staffed by former BioWare employees, including key figures from the original Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect series. Casey Hudson, who led development on the original KotOR, is CEO and game director at Arcanaut. The studio's leadership team features numerous individuals with extensive BioWare histories, suggesting a strong focus on recapturing the spirit of those beloved RPGs.
Evening Patches
Several games have received official updates and patch notes. Anthem version 1.2.0 is now live, Apex Legends has released its Overclocked patch, and Battlefield 2042 has deployed game update 1.2.3.5.
Evening Multiplex
This article highlights recent video game updates and trailers, including a new update trailer for Anthem and a Tracer Pack for the Call of Duty Endowment. A new demo trailer for Slumber Realm was also featured.
The Daily Grind: Would you start playing an MMO you know is going to shut down?
This article discusses the dilemma of whether players would start an MMORPG that is known to be shutting down soon. It explores the motivation behind experiencing a game before its inevitable closure and questions how long of a window would prompt such an impulse.