Role-Playing Game
Ongoing coverage on Role-Playing Game.
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RIP BioWare: EA has shut down the legendary RPG developer
Electronic Arts has shut down the legendary RPG developer BioWare, founded in 1995 and known for the Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age series. The closure follows a recent acquisition of EA by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and comes amid broader layoffs at EA. Plans for a new Mass Effect game have also been cancelled.
BioWare’s Neverwinter Nights continues to host ‘mini MMOs’ 24 years after its release
BioWare's 2002 RPG Neverwinter Nights continues to thrive 24 years after its release, largely due to its robust multiplayer and community-driven content creation tools. The game's legacy is built on players creating "mini MMOs" and acting as dungeon masters, a niche appeal that sets it apart from more story-driven single-player experiences.
Star Wars Games Could Get More Interesting As Lucasfilm Looks Beyond The Big Studios
Lucasfilm Games is looking to partner with smaller, independent studios to create a wider variety of Star Wars titles beyond traditional AAA releases. VP Douglas Reilly stated that the strategy involves finding the best partners for specific experiences, not just major publishers, highlighting recent successes like Star Wars Zero Company and Star Wars Galactic Racer. This approach aims to explore diverse genres and fulfill various player fantasies within the Star Wars universe.
Pool of Radiance - SSI's legendary RPG comes to the Atari ST (AI) and expanded Sega Mega Drive
The legendary RPG Pool of Radiance has been revived and ported to the Atari ST and Sega Mega Drive, utilizing modern AI tools and hardware workarounds. The Atari ST version was developed by cb-fgc by modifying the sequel's code, while the Sega Mega Drive version by DoubleDragon.org allows play via a joypad and uses a specialized ROM write mode for memory expansion.
Fire Emblem’s Remarkable Comeback
The Fire Emblem series, once on the verge of cancellation due to declining sales and franchise fatigue, experienced a remarkable comeback starting with Fire Emblem Awakening. This resurgence was driven by innovative gameplay changes, such as the introduction of Casual mode, and a greater emphasis on character development, ultimately solidifying its place as a flagship Nintendo franchise.
The Blood Of Dawnwalker’s Time Limit Isn’t Restrictive: It’s Freeing
The Blood of Dawnwalker's 30-day time limit is not restrictive but freeing, according to the author, who struggles with chronic fatigue. The game's design, by former CD Projekt Red staffers at Rebel Wolves, encourages players to prioritize activities rather than attempt to complete everything, offering a more manageable and engaging experience compared to overwhelming open-world titles like Cyberpunk 2077.
Tales of Eternia Remastered launch trailer – classic RPG returns on Nintendo Switch 2, Switch
Bandai Namco Entertainment has released a launch trailer for Tales of Eternia Remastered, bringing the classic RPG to Nintendo Switch and the unreleased Nintendo Switch 2. This marks the first time the game is available in the West, featuring enhanced graphics, quality-of-life improvements, and the original Aggressive Linear Motion Battle System.
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.
ShackStream: Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link on The Stevetendo Show! Episode 758
The Stevetendo Show is featuring The Legend of Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link on its 758th episode, paying homage to the series before an upcoming remake. The stream will also include updates on Elden Ring playthroughs and previews of Castlevania: Belmont's Curse and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave. Viewers can tune in on the Shacknews Twitch channel.
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.
Wing Commander and Ultima are making comebacks in surprise Origin revival
Electronic Arts has announced a remaster of Wing Commander 3: Heart of the Tiger, featuring upscaled full-motion video cutscenes and 60fps gameplay for PC. Concurrently, series creator Richard Garriott is set to regain control of the Ultima intellectual property in 2027, potentially leading to new releases or re-releases. These announcements signal a revival for classic franchises originally developed by Origin Systems.
'I was nice to you three times in a row, so can I have one sex please?': Why Nivalis Nights intentionally…
Nivalis Nights intentionally features an opaque romance system, forcing players to question their dialogue choices rather than relying on obvious cues. Lead writer Thomas Welsh explains this was a deliberate design choice to make relationships feel more messy and reflective of real life, avoiding formulaic dating sim mechanics.
Now this is spelhelg!
Several individuals share their gaming plans for the weekend, spanning various genres and titles. Plans include playing Control, Gears of War: E-Day, Pocky & Rocky Reshrined, My Summer Vacation, Tyranny, Resident Evil 4, Galactic Racer, and the new puzzle game Order of the Sinking Star.
I never thought we'd get a new Ultima RPG, but now that series creator Richard Garriott is getting back the rights…
Series creator Richard Garriott is set to regain the rights to the Ultima RPG franchise from Electronic Arts as early as next year due to US copyright law. Garriott, who sold Origin Systems and the Ultima IP to EA in 1992, has initiated the process to reclaim ownership, which could lead to re-releases or sequels of the foundational RPG series.
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.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance Dev Calls Out RPGs 'for Teenagers' That Just Focus on 'Power Fantasy'
Martin Klima, co-founder of Kingdom Come: Deliverance developer Warhorse Studios, expressed his fatigue with role-playing games that solely focus on 'power fantasy' narratives, deeming them to be 'for teenagers.'
Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force GX preview - a nostalgic return to Duel Academy
Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force GX is a remake of the 2008 PSP game Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: Tag Force 3, set to release on February 16, 2027, for Nintendo Switch and PC. The game aims to evoke nostalgia for the mid-2000s PSP era and the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX anime, focusing on character relationships and Tag Duels while incorporating new cards and smoother gameplay inspired by modern Yu-Gi-Oh! titles.
Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons’ Core Story Won’t Change Based on Player Choices
Invoke's general manager Dominique Guay stated that Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons will not feature significant changes to its main narrative based on player choices, unlike Baldur's Gate 3. The game will focus on a single protagonist, Kaatri, and her imp, Skev, with an emphasis on exploration over waypoint following. Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons is set to release in 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
"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.
Wizard Realms Of Eternity - Free Online Browser Game
Wizard: Realms of Eternity is a free, offline HTML5 action RPG that runs entirely in the browser, featuring procedurally generated worlds, deep magic systems with seven schools, and over 40 enemy types. Developed by happystoner5420 Games, it offers a complete single-player experience with character progression, dynamic quests, and a full campaign, rivaling commercial games in its scope and polish.
