BioWare on the 'Broken' Game Industry

[Morgoth]

GamedailyBiz interviews the Doctors.

 

"You have to evolve or die... as the industry goes through this maturation phase you have to be willing to change and be willing to go with the times," Ray Muzyka, BioWare

 

That's the first time Ray put such hard words like "die" into his mouth. I guess being a suit now made him a little more sarcastic, huh?

But I agree on that sentiment. That's why Troika and BIS died, I suppose. But maturation phase?

 

"... there's just too much product out there. And things like GTA and Halo, really dominant products, are great for the industry because it puts it on the top of people's minds..." Andrew Goldman, Pandemic

 

GTA and HALO great for the industry? More mass market = maturation process, right? Just like Hollywood, but that's not what I call a mature industry either.

 

Anyway, thought I just should put the link here, since there's nothing else to chew on on such a slow sunday.

[Judge Hades]

BIS died due to mismanagement of Interplay aka Herve Caen.

[Llyranor]

Bioware leveled up by embracing consoles

[Morgoth]

BIS died due to mismanagement of Interplay aka Herve Caen.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

BIS was already underway going down the toilet. Herve just accelerated that process.

[Morgoth]

Bioware leveled up by embracing consoles 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bio just embraces versatility. They've a fanbase that consists of PC and console fans, and in future handhelds and MMOs as well.

[Judge Hades]

If their MMO is free like Guild Wars I'll give it a try but if not, I'll pass. I have given MMOs way too many chances as is.

[Morgoth]

Well I think MMOs suck and Bio's one propably won't be an exception. But that's certainly not a reason to show antipathy for them. They've other products too in development that one way or the other will show up for the PC eventually. Like JE, or DA, and the ME trilogy probably too.

[Judge Hades]

There hasn't been anything new about DA at the newsites for 2 years.

[Morgoth]

These are the very lively DA forums.

And the reason why you haven't heard of DA anything is because it's not about time yet.

[Judge Hades]

Yet its time for ME even though DA was announced first?

 

I have my doubts that DA is still being worked on.

[Morgoth]

Yet its time for ME even though DA was announced first? 

 

I have my doubts that DA is still being worked on.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well I find it myself very dubious why it takes such an extraordinary long time to make. They probaly had some "difficulties" or some major changes or whatever....you know how uneven game development can go....

But it's certainly not vaporware, or they should have announced it. Bio hasn't canceled one project in it's (10 years?) existence, and I don't see any reason why they should start doing it now.

Bio grows bigger and fatter every year, clearly not a sign of running out money and start canceling projects, like BIS did.

[Krookie]

Ouch.

[Fenghuang]

I never knew you felt that way Hades. All you had to ever do was ask...

[Judge Hades]

Well I find it myself very dubious why it takes such an extraordinary long time to make. They probaly had some "difficulties" or some major changes or whatever....you know how uneven game development can go....

But it's certainly not vaporware, or they should have announced it. Bio hasn't canceled one project in it's (10 years?) existence, and I don't see any reason why they should start doing it now.

Bio grows bigger and fatter every year, clearly not a sign of running out money and start canceling projects, like BIS did.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

True enough. I think the problem is that Bioware announced way to early. They wanted to show people that they weren't giving up on the PC so they announced it as soon as they had a build that can show decent pics, but now it just seems DA is just dragging along and nothing new has been released about it while the console itles keep coming. Ports tend to be iffy in most cases and while JE was a good console game I don't think its style will make a good translation to the PC.

[Morgoth]

Why does every Bio thread ends up being derailed?

[Atreides]

True enough.  I think the problem is that Bioware announced way to early.  They wanted to show people that they weren't giving up on the PC so they announced it as soon as they had a build that can show decent pics, but now it just seems DA is just dragging along and nothing new has been released about it while the console itles keep coming.  Ports tend to be iffy in most cases and while JE was a good console game I don't think its style will make a good translation to the PC.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's just the perception not much is happening. Reality doesn't necessarily follow perception. Just check out PNJ.

[Judge Hades]

Well, I guess it remains to be seen. I do hope JE gets a decent translation.

[Morgoth]

Well I find it myself very dubious why it takes such an extraordinary long time to make. They probaly had some "difficulties" or some major changes or whatever....you know how uneven game development can go....

But it's certainly not vaporware, or they should have announced it. Bio hasn't canceled one project in it's (10 years?) existence, and I don't see any reason why they should start doing it now.

Bio grows bigger and fatter every year, clearly not a sign of running out money and start canceling projects, like BIS did.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

True enough. I think the problem is that Bioware announced way to early. They wanted to show people that they weren't giving up on the PC so they announced it as soon as they had a build that can show decent pics, but now it just seems DA is just dragging along and nothing new has been released about it while the console itles keep coming. Ports tend to be iffy in most cases and while JE was a good console game I don't think its style will make a good translation to the PC.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I remember when Bio showed a Tech demo in 2004. Now, that technology got discarded and they've a completely new engine. What a waste. They even claimed a small team worked on that tech since NWN shipped. Again, what a waste. They clearly fuc*ed something up, but I guess they're now back on track, as Dave claims that the pieces are done and are now being in the process to put together. *fingers crossed*

[Judge Hades]

Does the new engine have a Z axis?

[Morgoth]

Well it's 3D, therefor yes. Lawl.

 

But I guess you mean jumping and flying and all that? No.

[Judge Hades]

Then its not much of an upgrade. Its still a 2.5D game like NWN and KotOR.

Edited August 27, 2006 by Judge Hades

[Fenghuang]

But if I can't jump it's not realistic enough.

[Morgoth]

It's going to be a mouse-driven game with ruleset, no much sense doing things like jumping and flying here. It's not an action RPG, after all.

Edited August 27, 2006 by Morgoth

[Judge Hades]

Well, I just think that the use of a third dimension can give players a greater sense of freedom and more strategic options in combat. In PnP DnD one of the most useful spells in combat is the Fly spell and used in conjuction of Reduce and Improved Invisibility it can have a devastating effect on both the enemy and the PCs.

[kirottu]

Everyone wants a ZRPG!