Tag: BioWare

  • BioWare Exec Says Anthem Was a Risk Worth Taking Despite Challenges

    BioWare Exec Says Anthem Was a Risk Worth Taking Despite Challenges

    Key Takeaways

    1. Mike Darrah addressed criticisms of BioWare’s development of Anthem, acknowledging it was a bold venture that ultimately did not meet expectations.
    2. He reflected on the game’s journey following the server shutdown, which occurred seven years after its 2019 launch.
    3. Darrah challenged the notion that BioWare should only focus on single-player games, arguing that the studio has a history of evolving and trying new concepts.
    4. He emphasized that while EA holds some blame for Anthem’s issues, criticism should not solely target the publisher.
    5. Darrah noted that studios evolve over time, and taking risks with new game types is part of that process, despite Anthem being a significant reach for BioWare.

    Former BioWare executive Mike Darrah has recently stepped forward to address critics of the studio regarding the development of Anthem. He mentioned that BioWare has been evolving over the years by trying out new concepts, and that Anthem was a bold venture that, regrettably, did not fulfill expectations.

    Server Shutdown Reflections

    Mike Darrah, who was the executive producer for Anthem, shared his insights following the shutdown of the game’s servers, which took place seven years after its launch in 2019. In a 40-minute interview with YouTuber Destin Legarie, he reflected on the game’s journey, which came after the release of a nearly four-hour post-mortem video discussing Anthem’s server closure.

    Challenging the Critics

    In the interview, Darrah took aim at gamers and critics who believe that BioWare should only focus on single-player games. He argued that this perspective is narrow-minded and contradicts the studio’s history. In his own words:

    “I’m sure there probably are things where I feel like the record needs to be set straight, but I think it’s easy to blame EA. And certainly they deserve a bunch of blame for Anthem, but it’s not their fault.”

    He elaborated:

    “One thing that actually is worth mentioning, I think, is that there are some people that, at the time… these people loved coming out of the woodwork and saying ‘see, I told you so’ and saying ‘well, BioWare should have never made Anthem because they are a single-player RPG studio.’”

    Evolution of BioWare

    Darrah pushed back against these ideas, emphasizing:

    “But my feeling is that BioWare has always been changing. I mean, by that argument, we should never have made Neverwinter Nights because we were a 2D RPG maker. We should never have made Mass Effect because we were a tactical RPG maker, not an action RPG maker.”

    He believes that these arguments don’t hold much water. “To me, it’s like, yeah, your studios evolve, and they try new things. And was Anthem too big a reach? Yeah, for sure. But could you tell at the time? I don’t know that you could.”

    Anthem debuted as an online multiplayer game from the developers of Dragon Age and Mass Effect. It faced a mixed reception and was plagued with technical issues. Due to the game’s condition and player feedback, EA promptly ceased updates for Anthem in 2021. Now, as of January 2026, the servers have been officially shut down, rendering the game unplayable even for its small, yet dedicated community.

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  • EA Confirms New Mass Effect Game and TV Show in Development

    EA Confirms New Mass Effect Game and TV Show in Development

    Key Takeaways

    1. BioWare is under pressure to succeed with the upcoming Mass Effect game after the flop of Dragon Age: Veilguard.
    2. There is no set release date for the new Mass Effect game, but EA is focusing all resources on it.
    3. Commander Shepherd will not be the main character in the new game.
    4. A hidden clue in the blog post hints at the phrase “Url Krogan,” suggesting future information could be revealed.
    5. The Krogan may emerge as potential main villains, following the defeat of the Geth and Reapers.

    With the recent flop of Dragon Age: Veilguard, BioWare is now under huge stress to succeed with the upcoming Mass Effect installment. The last teaser for the game was in 2020, leaving its future quite unclear. Thankfully, a recent blog post offers some positive news, confirming that “The next Mass Effect game is in development,” and there is also a TV series being developed in collaboration with Amazon.

    No Set Release Date

    Sadly, the post doesn’t provide a timeline for when we can expect this game, only saying it’ll come out “when it’s ready.” However, EA has stated that all their resources are now focused on the new Mass Effect game, suggesting it might launch earlier than we thought. It’s also been confirmed that Commander Shepherd will not be the main character this time, and fans are left hoping for a better outcome than what was seen in Andromeda.

    Hidden Messages

    Mike Gamble has included a somewhat hidden clue in the blog post. If you look closely, the italicized letters form the phrase “Url Krogan.” This phrase doesn’t mean much on its own, but it hints that more information could be revealed in future posts. Unfortunately, Mike remains just as vague on X. With the Geth and Reapers no longer a threat, the Krogan could emerge as the main villains, a theory supported by the mysterious cipher mentioned above.

    Bioware has a lot to live up to with this new release, and fans are eagerly waiting for more updates.

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  • BioWare’s Future in Question After $55B Saudi Investment in EA

    BioWare’s Future in Question After $55B Saudi Investment in EA

    Key Takeaways

    1. Electronic Arts (EA) has reached a $55 billion acquisition deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and other investors, the largest in gaming history.

    2. Shareholders will receive $210 per share in cash, and the deal involves $20 billion in debt financing, with PIF retaining a 9.9% stake in EA.

    3. Concerns among employees and industry experts have arisen about potential layoffs and restructuring, particularly affecting studios like BioWare, known for its narrative-driven games.

    4. Former BioWare executive Mark Darrah warns that new ownership could alter EA’s focus, potentially prioritizing sports franchises over progressive storytelling in games.

    5. Current BioWare employees express anxiety about the future, fearing that creative freedom and progressive themes may be compromised under Saudi leadership.

    A big shift is coming in the gaming world. On September 29, 2025, Electronic Arts revealed they have reached a $55 billion agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), private equity firm Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. Shareholders are set to receive $210 per share in cash.

    Financing Details

    This deal also involves $20 billion in debt financing, while PIF will keep its current 9.9% stake in EA, marking this as the largest acquisition in the gaming sector ever. The news has sparked discussions about the future of EA’s studios, particularly BioWare, known for creating popular games like Mass Effect and Dragon Age.

    Concerns Among Employees

    With the transaction expected to finalize in the first quarter of 2027, many industry experts and employees, including former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah, are expressing serious worries about possible layoffs and studio closures. Darrah, who directed and produced Dragon Age Origins, Dragon Age II, and Dragon Age: Inquisition, shared his thoughts in a recent YouTube video about the situation.

    Darrah pointed out that the new ownership, especially with PIF involved, could lead to significant “changes at EA in terms of structure and the games they will be developing.” He noted that PIF has previously focused on sports investments, saying:

    “When you look at what the Saudi group has been purchasing, they have been very active in the sports area. EA Sports fits perfectly into that strategy of investing heavily in sports franchises.”

    Future of BioWare

    He highlighted that “last year, 75% of EA’s revenue came from live services, mostly from FIFA’s Ultimate Teams (now EA Sports FC) and Madden.” But for BioWare, the future looks uncertain amidst the restructuring. Darrah warned that studios like BioWare and those working on Marvel games that haven’t done well may be under pressure.

    He added, “EA also has studios that haven’t released anything in a long time or have produced titles that weren’t successful,” which puts BioWare in a troubling spot. The studio has been known for its commitment to “progressive messaging” in its narrative-driven RPGs, touching on topics like diversity, LGBTQ+ representation, and social justice in games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

    Darrah fears that under PIF’s leadership, the situation could turn grim. “It’s hard to see how BioWare can switch from its progressive messaging to something negative just because the government demands it. It’s difficult to imagine that the public would react positively to a game from BioWare if that happened—it could be a total disaster.”

    These sentiments have been echoed by current BioWare employees who spoke anonymously to Insider Gaming, expressing anxiety over potential layoffs. “Look at the backlash after Dragon Age. If we thought things would only get worse then, just imagine what some of us think now.”

    A BioWare lead writer, in a chat with PC Gamer, hinted that with Saudi ownership, “guns and football will be embraced, while ‘gay stuff’ will be pushed aside.”

    For a studio once celebrated for its creative storytelling, this $55 billion acquisition casts a long shadow over BioWare’s future.

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  • Why a Dragon Age: Origins Remake Isn’t Happening, Says Ex-BioWare

    Why a Dragon Age: Origins Remake Isn’t Happening, Says Ex-BioWare

    Key Takeaways

    1. BioWare proposed remaking or remastering Dragon Age: Origins and its sequels, but EA declined the funding request.
    2. The collection was referred to as “The Champion’s Trilogy,” aimed at revitalizing the franchise after mixed reviews of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
    3. BioWare suggested using Frostbite tools and collaborating with a mod house for a remake of Dragon Age: Origins.
    4. Financial challenges and EA’s historical resistance to remasters halted BioWare’s initiative for the project.
    5. The technical differences between game engines used in the series complicated the remastering process compared to the successful Mass Effect Legendary Edition.

    Former Dragon Age executive producer Mark Darrah shared in a recent chat that BioWare had come up with several concepts to suggest to Electronic Arts for remaking or remastering Dragon Age: Origins and its sequels. Sadly, EA turned down the request for funding needed to move forward with the project.

    Interview Insights

    Mark Darrah disclosed this news during a conversation with YouTuber MrMattyPlays, which was released on August 10, 2025. He mentioned that BioWare was eager to refresh its classic RPG series, especially after seeing the success of Mass Effect Legendary Edition, which hit the shelves in 2021.

    BioWare tried different approaches, one of which was a soft pitch to rebrand its three games: Dragon Age: Origins (2009), Dragon Age 2 (2011), and Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014). This collection was referred to as “The Champion’s Trilogy.”

    A Vision for the Franchise

    Darrah aimed to create a unified remastered collection, looking to “shine them up and re-release them.” This was seen as the first step in a series of actions to revitalize the franchise, especially after the mixed reviews of 2024’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

    He detailed the specific proposals BioWare offered to EA, which included assistance in developing Frostbite tools and collaborating with a skilled mod house to work on a remake of Dragon Age: Origins.

    In the interview, Darrah expressed, “One of the very earliest things for Joplin was, let’s do Frostbite tools, and then let’s find a mod house that seems talented and just uplift them and pay them to do a remake of Dragon Age: Origins. There were lots of pitches around, ‘Is there a way we can bring Dragon Age: Origins forward?’”

    Financial Challenges

    Darrah wanted to price Dragon Age 2 lower since it shared assets and had reduced development costs. However, pursuing a complete remake would need a substantial amount of resources, which wouldn’t allow for that benefit.

    BioWare hoped to assemble a team for the project, but financial challenges essentially stalled the initiative, as the studio manages its budget internally and couldn’t reallocate funds from ongoing projects.

    Darrah pointed out that EA has steered clear of remasters, despite the potential for profit. He further stated in the interview, “EA’s historically been, and I don’t really know why, but they’ve even said this publicly, kind of against remasters. It’s strange for a publicly traded company to basically be against free money, but they seem to be against it. That’s part of it.”

    Technical Limitations

    However, there’s more to the tale. The remaster of Mass Effect’s Legendary Edition was feasible because the franchise was entirely built using Unreal Engine 3, enabling external studios to manage development without much difficulty. In contrast, Dragon Age utilized two different engines for Dragon Age Origins and Dragon Age 2 before BioWare transitioned to Frostbite for Dragon Age: Inquisition.

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  • Anthem to Permanently Shut Down in January 2026

    Anthem to Permanently Shut Down in January 2026

    Key Takeaways

    1. Anthem will be terminated on January 12, 2026, with no access to its single-player mode afterward.
    2. The game was primarily designed for online play, which is why it won’t be available offline.
    3. Players can still purchase Anthem until August 15 from the EA App or PlayStation Store.
    4. The game, released in 2019, received mixed reviews and failed to meet EA’s sales expectations.
    5. EA has assured that the shutdown of Anthem will not result in any layoffs despite recent job cuts in the gaming sector.

    EA and BioWare’s live-service game, Anthem, is set to be terminated on January 12, 2026. After this date, players will no longer be able to access its single-player mode. EA has pointed out that Anthem was mainly created for online gameplay, which explains why it won’t be available offline. Furthermore, amidst recent job cuts in the gaming sector, the company has assured that the shutdown of Anthem will not lead to any layoffs.

    Experience the Game Before It’s Gone

    You have until January 12 to enjoy its single-player mode, which is actually quite good. If you’re interested in playing Anthem, you can currently buy it from the EA App or the PlayStation Store. However, it will be removed from the EA App on August 15. While it’s odd for a game featuring both single and multiplayer options to be taken down entirely, this has become more common lately. That’s exactly why movements like Stop Killing Games are so important.

    The Journey of Anthem

    Anthem was first released in 2019 and received a variety of reviews, with some being positive and others negative. It sold decently but faced some issues, such as causing problems for certain PS4 consoles. Some insiders at EA criticized players for its underperformance. Sadly, the game fell short of EA’s ambitious sales goals and quickly slipped into obscurity, largely due to a lack of ongoing support from BioWare, who understandably had to focus on other initiatives.

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  • Dragon Age Veilguard’s Failure: EA’s Erratic Strategy Explained

    Dragon Age Veilguard’s Failure: EA’s Erratic Strategy Explained

    Key Takeaways

    1. Corporate Changes Impact Development: EA’s attempts to reshape its identity led to significant changes in the Dragon Age project, impacting BioWare’s creative control.

    2. Shift to Live-Service Model: The game shifted towards a live-service model, focusing on multiplayer and action instead of the strategic combat and dark storytelling that defined earlier titles.

    3. Leadership Resignations: Key leaders from BioWare resigned in protest over the shifting goals, leading to further instability in the game’s development process.

    4. Return to Single-Player Format: EA later demanded a return to a single-player format, complicating development as the team struggled to integrate existing multiplayer elements into a cohesive story.

    5. Mixed Reception and Sales Forecast Issues: Although Dragon Age: The Veilguard initially debuted well, it failed to satisfy legacy fans, leading EA to drastically lower its sales forecasts and raise concerns about BioWare’s future.

    A unique insight into the making of Electronic Arts’ Dragon Age: Veilguard has exposed the reasons behind BioWare’s highly anticipated game faltering so quickly.

    The Corporate Shuffle

    While it might seem like the usual tale of a large company engulfing a smaller studio that doesn’t mesh with its culture, it was actually EA’s chaotic attempts to reshape its identity that caused the latest Dragon Age title to falter. Known for its widely successful sports game franchises that generate a significant portion of its revenue, EA acquired BioWare for $860 million, aiming to broaden its sports-centric portfolio.

    However, in the process, EA altered the Dragon Age concept so drastically that the BioWare team struggled to adapt to the constant changes, leaving them racing against the clock while losing creative control. Instead of sticking to the dark storyline of the semi-open Dragon Age world that had brought EA its first major success with BioWare’s Inquisition, which sold 12 million copies, EA opted to shift towards a live-service game model.

    A Shift in Direction

    The shift away from the intense atmosphere of earlier Dragon Age games aimed to mimic the financial success of lighter online games like Overwatch, but the BioWare team was skeptical. They believed EA was steering them towards creating “Anthem with dragons,” a nod to another EA project that had failed. While past games in the series featured strategic combat, this new direction would focus solely on action. Instead of quests meant for single experiences, it would be packed with missions for replayability with friends and random players. Important characters were also not allowed to die since they needed to remain for multiple players in the endless gameplay.

    In light of this, both the leaders of the BioWare studio and the Dragon Age franchise resigned in protest of the team’s shifting goals, only to be swiftly replaced by EA, who demanded yet another change in direction.

    The Return to Single-Player

    Now, EA wanted BioWare to revert to the single-player format that had initially brought success to the Dragon Age series. However, the team was challenged with creating a new story based on the multiplayer elements they already had, all while racing to finish the game in a year and a half instead of starting from scratch, which is usually the case with such major changes. EA even enlisted the Mass Effect team to steer development towards completion, pushing aside the Dragon Age leaders during critical decisions about the game’s tone and characters. The Mass Effect heads, for instance, advocated for revamping the dialogue from typical multiplayer chatter to a more serious tone, with mixed results.

    Consequently, Dragon Age: The Veilguard ended up missing both the live-service narrative it was originally meant to have and the compelling single-player storyline filled with tough choices that fans had eagerly anticipated from previous games.

    Despite this, Dragon Age: The Veilguard debuted strongly on Steam, receiving positive reviews from critics and newer players, making it an instant chart-topper and displacing Call of Duty from the top position. However, legacy Dragon Age fans, while initially excited by EA’s trailer, never truly embraced the game after its release.

    In a cautionary turn of events, EA had to revise its sales forecast dramatically, causing its stock to plummet and leaving the future of the BioWare team within Electronic Arts uncertain.

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  • Legendary RPG Series Surprise-Drops Parts 1 and 2 on Xbox Game Pass

    Legendary RPG Series Surprise-Drops Parts 1 and 2 on Xbox Game Pass

    Key Takeaways

    1. Baldur’s Gate, created by BioWare in 1998, is a classic role-playing game set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe.
    2. The game features a rich narrative, team-based gameplay, and character creation influenced by player choices and moral decisions.
    3. Baldur’s Gate II, released in 2000, continues the story and enhances gameplay with more complex systems and expanded world.
    4. Enhanced Editions of both games were released by Beamdog in 2012 and 2013, featuring modern updates, bug fixes, and new content.
    5. The Enhanced Editions are now available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, expanding access for players.

    Baldur’s Gate is a timeless role-playing game that first came out in 1998, created by BioWare for Windows and macOS. Players take on the role of an unnamed hero who gets caught up in a complex political situation, setting out on an adventure across the Sword Coast in the Forgotten Realms. This classic, team-based quest includes allies, groups, and a multitude of missions. Built on the famed Dungeons & Dragons tabletop rules, the game features challenging real-time-with-pause combat, detailed character creation, and branching dialogues influenced by moral decisions. Its sequel, Baldur’s Gate II, was launched in 2000 and continues the story seamlessly. Captured by the powerful wizard Irenicus, you must battle for your freedom. The second part enhances the original with more detailed class choices, a bigger world filled with cities and dungeons, and more complex gameplay systems.

    Enhanced Editions

    Thanks to Beamdog and its internal team called Overhaul Games, fans received a refreshed version of the original game in 2012 with the release of Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition. In the following year, an updated version of Baldur’s Gate II was launched as well. These editions introduced support for modern resolutions and operating systems, along with a redesigned user interface. Many bugs from the original games were fixed, and improvements for player convenience were included, such as an expanded quick bar, inventory search, and better party management. Beamdog also added several new companions, each featuring unique backgrounds, dialogues, and personal quests. The Enhanced Edition of Baldur’s Gate additionally included Siege of Dragonspear, a brand-new adventure that connects the storyline between the first and second games.

    Game Pass Announcement

    Microsoft had previously revealed its list of upcoming Game Pass titles, with just two games initially slated for this week. However, unexpectedly, the Enhanced Editions of Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II have been added and are currently available through the subscription service. The only limitation is that both games are exclusive to Game Pass Ultimate members.

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  • RPG Shooter Trilogy with All DLCs for $6 on Steam Deal

    RPG Shooter Trilogy with All DLCs for $6 on Steam Deal

    Key Takeaways

    1. Mass Effect is a beloved sci-fi franchise known for its engaging narrative and player choices, with the original trilogy released between 2007 and 2012.
    2. The Mass Effect Legendary Edition, released in 2021, features enhanced visuals and includes all single-player DLC, but lacks the multiplayer mode from Mass Effect 3.
    3. The series is set in a rich sci-fi universe where player choices significantly impact the storyline, characters, and outcomes across the trilogy.
    4. While the remaster improves visuals and performance, some outdated mechanics from the original games, particularly in the first installment, remain.
    5. The Legendary Edition offers great value with three full games and over 30 expansions for a discounted price, receiving a positive reception on platforms like Steam and Metacritic.

    Mass Effect is a beloved sci-fi franchise from BioWare that stands out in the genre for its captivating narrative and significant player choices. The first installment debuted in 2007, followed by sequels in 2010 and 2012. In 2021, the renowned trilogy returned as the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, which boasts enhanced visuals, technical improvements, and includes all single-player downloadable content in one bundle. However, the multiplayer mode from Mass Effect 3 is absent, as the Legendary Edition focuses solely on the single-player journey.

    A Rich Sci-Fi Universe

    The Mass Effect universe is a classic sci-fi setting where humans are part of a vast galactic alliance with various alien species. Central to the plot is the conflict with the Reapers, an ancient race of machines intent on exterminating all organic life. The games combine third-person shooter gameplay with role-playing elements, such as dialogue choices, skill trees, and a moral system that allows players to take either an idealistic (Paragon) or brutal (Renegade) approach. What distinguishes the series is how decisions affect the entire trilogy, influencing characters, plotlines, and the destinies of entire planets. Players can transfer progress from one game to another via save files.

    Gameplay Evolution

    In the initial Mass Effect, Commander Shepard discovers a long-dormant threat and embarks on a mission to save the galaxy, emphasizing exploration and role-playing. Mass Effect 2 shifts the emphasis to action and team relationships, as Shepard gathers a new crew to confront the enigmatic Collectors, each with their own backstory and loyalty missions. The conflict against the Reapers culminates in Mass Effect 3, where choices from prior games come to fruition, impacting the galaxy-wide war’s outcome.

    The German site Eurogamer.de reviewed the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, commending it for being a well-rounded remaster of the trilogy, with the first game showing the most significant enhancements. Thanks to modern upgrades like 4K resolution, high-resolution textures, improved effects, and smoother performance, the games feel more contemporary while retaining their original appeal. Enhancements to controls, user interface, and loading times also make for a more pleasant experience. Eurogamer.de noted the great value, as players receive three full games along with all single-player DLCs for the price of a single new title.

    Room for Improvement

    While the updates are commendable, it’s important to remember that this is a remaster, not a complete remake—so some fundamental issues from the original games persist. In particular, the first game has dated mechanics, like a clunky cover system, repetitive mission designs, and awkward inventory management. The notorious Mako vehicle, though improved, still feels slow and cumbersome. Although the first installment received a substantial visual facelift, the changes in parts 2 and 3 are subtler, with aging animations and character models becoming more noticeable.

    Since its launch in 2021, the Mass Effect Legendary Edition has garnered over 50,000 reviews on Steam, of which 91% are positive. On Metacritic, the remastered trilogy enjoys a solid Metascore of 86. However, the user score tells a slightly different tale, standing at 6.7. This discrepancy can be attributed not only to technical problems at launch but also to the still-contentious ending of Mass Effect 3, which has continued to divide fans more than ten years after its original release.

    Bundle of Content

    Created by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts, the Mass Effect Legendary Edition includes all three main games and nearly every downloadable content. It offers over 30 expansions that introduce additional missions, characters, weapons, armor, and story elements to the single-player campaign. The standard price on Steam is $60, but the Legendary Edition is currently available for just $6 due to a 90% discount, which lasts until March 27.

    Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not accountable for any price changes made by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this article was valid at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.

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