Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
Latest coverage
Mass Effect TV Show Still Going Ahead After EA Cancels Mass Effect 5 And Closes BioWare, Report Says
A report indicates that Electronic Arts has closed BioWare and canceled the development of Mass Effect 5, despite the ongoing production of a Mass Effect TV show for Prime Video. Key creative personnel remain attached to the television project, which has been in development since 2021. The studio closure and game cancellation follow EA's privatization and subsequent cost-saving measures, which also led to layoffs and the halt of other projects like a new The Sims game.
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.
Mass Effect 5 Trailer Reportedly Ready to Go Before BioWare Closure
A trailer for Mass Effect 5 was reportedly prepared before Electronic Arts canceled the game and closed BioWare. This news comes amid reports of the studio's shutdown.
AI Slop Presents A Much Bigger Problem Than Just Flooding Steam Next Fest
The proliferation of AI-generated games, often referred to as 'AI slop,' is overwhelming Steam Next Fest and poses a significant threat to genuine indie developers. The ease with which AI can clone games discourages developers from releasing demos, fearing their work will be stolen and replicated before launch. This trend risks diminishing the value of demo events and potentially harming the broader indie game industry.
'I believe we were making something special' — BioWare dev says the now-canceled Mass Effect 5 offered 'a level of autonomy and choice that no other game has been able to match'
Former BioWare cinematic supervisor Tony de Waal revealed that the canceled Mass Effect 5 was intended to offer unprecedented player autonomy and choice, inspired by titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. De Waal, who was among the developers laid off after the project's cancellation and EA's restructuring, expressed sadness that fans would not see the game they were developing. He also shared insights into the challenging development of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
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.
'We’re removing the friction between creator vision and spatial execution' — Audeze and Audiokinetic are introducing native head-tracking support for the Maxwell 2 ANC headset directly inside Wwise
Audeze and Audiokinetic are partnering to integrate native head-tracking support for the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC headset directly into Audiokinetic's Wwise audio creation suite. This collaboration aims to simplify spatial audio content creation for game developers, enabling more immersive soundscapes with a plug-and-play setup.
Following shock BioWare closure, scope of EA job cuts becomes clear as layoffs hit Respawn, Maxis, Full Circle, EA Motive, and more
Electronic Arts has announced significant layoffs affecting approximately 400 employees across multiple studios, including the closure of BioWare. Studios such as Maxis, Respawn Entertainment, EA Motive, Full Circle, and Ripple Effect are also impacted by these job cuts. The company cited a need for organizational efficiencies following its recent acquisition.
"We made a very difficult decision": Australian indie showcase Freeplay reject antisemitism claims after delisting a Jewish sponsor who was allegedly accused of being a "zionist"
The Australian independent games showcase Freeplay has refunded and delisted the sponsorship of developer Wren Brier, citing accusations from an unnamed speaker that she is a "zionist." Brier, who is Jewish and emigrated from Israel as a teenager, denies being a zionist and states the accusation stemmed from her game Unpacking being featured in a Jewish publication. Freeplay claims the decision was difficult and made under time pressure to prevent the event from being cancelled, while rejecting accusations of prejudice, though the event has faced backlash and lost support from the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.
Mass Effect's Amazon series is reportedly continuing after BioWare shutdown, which'll make an uncomfortable…
Despite the shutdown of BioWare, the Mass Effect Amazon Prime Video series is reportedly continuing and will be set after the original trilogy. The article criticizes Electronic Arts' management of BioWare, citing the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game and the middling reception of Dragon Age: The Veilguard as examples of the publisher's mismanagement.
Former Mass Effect and Star Wars: KOTOR boss calls BioWare closure "sad," says the studio's "legacy will live on through those who were part of it"
Mass Effect creator Casey Hudson expressed sadness over the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game. He reflected on his time at the studio, emphasizing that its legacy will continue through its former employees and their passion for storytelling. The closure is part of broader industry layoffs, with BioWare being one of several studios impacted by recent acquisitions and financial restructuring.
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.
Bioware Shut Down by EA With 400 More Jobs Cut
Electronic Arts is shutting down BioWare and cutting approximately 400 jobs as part of a cost-cutting measure, also canceling the next Mass Effect game. The company cited a need to align talent and investments for long-term growth, with the closure of BioWare potentially linked to recent financial pressures and past game performance.
Mass Effect Amazon TV show remains in development despite BioWare shutting down
Despite the sudden closure of BioWare, Amazon's Prime Video series based on the Mass Effect franchise remains in active development. Showrunner Doug Jung and writer Daniel Casey are reportedly still attached to the project, which will explore a new story set after the original trilogy and will not retread Commander Shepard's narrative. This news comes as BioWare was shuttered by EA and a new Mass Effect game was canceled.
Star Wars: Battlefront 3 reportedly being co-developed by Battlefield studio DICE and Apex Legends studio Respawn
Electronic Arts is reportedly co-developing Star Wars: Battlefront 3 between DICE and Respawn Entertainment, following recent layoffs and studio closures. This news comes amid rumors and follows the troubled launch and subsequent overhaul of Star Wars: Battlefront 2, which was heavily criticized for its loot box mechanics.
'We Were Working on a Great Game' — Former Mass Effect 5 Writers Speak Out After EA Shuts Down BioWare
Former writers for the canceled Mass Effect 5 have spoken out after Electronic Arts shut down the beloved studio BioWare. The article highlights the disappointment and frustration surrounding the closure of the studio, which has a 30-year history in the gaming industry.
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.
GTA 6 – 15 More Details You Won’t Want to Miss (Part 4)
Rockstar Games continues to reveal details about Grand Theft Auto 6, with the latest information focusing on in-game audio features like personal music playback via phones and on-demand podcasts. The article also touches on the game's radio stations, celebrity voice actors, the development process, character nuances, and the political landscape of the game's setting.
Mass Effect TV Adaptation Still in the Works Following BioWare’s Closure – Rumor
Despite the closure of BioWare, Electronic Arts reportedly plans to proceed with the Mass Effect TV adaptation produced by Amazon MGM Studios. Co-showrunner Daniel Casey has denied claims that the series is being rewritten for non-gamers. This news comes as BioWare announced its shutdown and EA confirmed large-scale layoffs affecting around 400 employees.
BioWare shut down and new Mass Effect cancelled two months after EA sale
Legendary RPG developer BioWare is closing down, and early development on the next Mass Effect project has been cancelled, following Electronic Arts' sale to private investors. The closure results in approximately 50 layoffs at BioWare and 400 across EA, attributed to the significant debt incurred from the acquisition. This move marks the end of an era for a studio known for narrative-driven titles like Baldur's Gate and Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic.
