David Gaider
Reporting and statements that mention David Gaider.
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'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.
EA Could Sell BioWare’s IP As It Looks To Tackle Its Massive Debt, Former Studio Boss Says
Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah suggested that Electronic Arts might sell off BioWare's intellectual property, including Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and Jade Empire, to help manage its $55 billion debt. This comes after EA announced the closure of BioWare and significant layoffs, leaving the future of these beloved franchises uncertain.
'What we were cooking was really cool': An award-winning science fiction author was working on Mass Effect…
BioWare is reportedly being shut down by EA, leading to the cancellation of Mass Effect 5. Science fiction author Derek Künsken, who worked as a writer on the project, expressed disappointment over the unreleased work and the closure of the studio, praising the talent within BioWare. The article reflects on BioWare's legacy and EA's management.
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.
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.
"Sexy sorceresses" and "bare-chested fighters": Dragon Age's original artists wanted to base it on Conan the Barbarian, much to the outrage of the designers
Former BioWare lead writer David Gaider discusses the internal conflicts during the development of Dragon Age: Origins, where art and design teams clashed over whether to draw inspiration from Conan the Barbarian or Lord of the Rings. He explains how the lack of a singular vision led to significant overcorrection between sequels, contrasting it with the more cohesive development of Mass Effect under Casey Hudson.
"We are here to give you something to believe in": the former Disco Elysium devs of Summer Eternal reveal new RPG Red Rooster, a game of fire, water and alternate selves
Former Disco Elysium developers have formed a new studio, Summer Eternal, and revealed their upcoming RPG, Red Rooster. The game is described as a spiritual successor to Disco Elysium, featuring a 3D real-time third-person perspective, a magic realist setting, and a physics-powered sandbox with a focus on fire and alternate selves. The studio aims for an anti-capitalist approach to game development, though the game is still in early pre-production and seeking funding.
"This non-profit will be the 'voice of the gamers'" - Former Disco Elysium devs break new ground with player- and developer-owned studio structure
Former Disco Elysium developers have launched Summer Eternal, a new studio with an experimental community-driven ownership structure. Players can become members of the Players Non-Profit organization, which owns 5% of the studio and participates in its governance, allowing them a say in game development decisions.
Peter Molyneux is excited to finally play Fable "as a gamer"
Peter Molyneux expresses excitement about playing the upcoming Fable game as a regular gamer, having been involved with the franchise's past entries. He praises Playground Games' evolution of the series, noting that it retains Fable's unique qualities while incorporating new elements.
Experimental RPG developer Summer Eternal: 'We're giving away 5% of our studio to you, the Players' in order to 'mend the trust broken in this industry a thousand times over'
RPG developer Summer Eternal, co-founded by ex-ZA/UM designers, is implementing a radical governance model that gives players 5% of studio ownership and profit sharing. This initiative aims to rebuild trust in the industry by making players stakeholders in the studio's direction and investments, rather than just consumers. Their first product, 'The Summer Eternal Anthology Vol. 1,' includes essays and a preview of their upcoming game, 'Project Red Rooster.'
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.
Ex-BioWare lead writer would take the series to a 'dark and dangerous' place given the chance, while also going 'back to the basics of what made Dragon Age appeal to so many people in the first place'
Former Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider believes the series is unlikely to have a future under Electronic Arts and BioWare. However, he expressed interest in returning to the series' roots to create a dark and dangerous new installment that appeals to the core fanbase.
Former BioWare Writer Says EA Always Favored Mass Effect Over Dragon Age
Former BioWare lead writer David Gaider believes Electronic Arts consistently favored the Mass Effect series over Dragon Age, contributing to Dragon Age: The Veilguard's potential cancellation. Gaider suggested that EA perceived Mass Effect as a more marketable 'modern RPG' while viewing Dragon Age as an 'old-fashioned' IP whose successes were considered flukes.
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.
Former Dragon Age Lead Writer Says BioWare's Fantasy Series is Unlikely to Ever Return Under EA — Though He Knows What He'd Do With Dragon Age 5 if He Made It
Former Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider believes the fantasy series is unlikely to return under Electronic Arts' ownership. However, he has ideas for a potential Dragon Age 5, should the opportunity arise.
Dragon Age's former lead writer thinks the series is probably dead, but he'd be happy to take it off EA's hands and 'go somewhere dark and dangerous' with it
Former Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider believes the series is likely dead under Electronic Arts, citing a consistent misunderstanding of the franchise's appeal and treatment compared to Mass Effect. Despite his past departure from the series, Gaider expressed interest in reviving Dragon Age if given the opportunity, provided it moves in a 'dark and dangerous' direction away from EA's current strategies.
David Gaider will never play Dragon Age: The Veilguard because he'd be 'wincing' the whole time: 'EA really did a number on them in terms of setting them up to fail'
Former BioWare lead writer David Gaider expressed that he would never play Dragon Age: The Veilguard, feeling that publisher Electronic Arts set the studio up for failure. Gaider, who considers the Dragon Age series his 'baby,' cited behind-the-scenes issues and EA's business practices as reasons for the game's struggles. He also touched upon his own studio's challenges with its game Stray Gods launching near Baldur's Gate 3.
