The end of an era in computer games (BioWare founders retire)

Today BioWares two founding figures Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk anounced that they are both retiring from BioWare and from the Video games industry. Love or hate the BioWare, but there's no denying that these two people and the company they made have played a huge role in creating the role playing genre we see today.

The other question is how this will affect BioWare. Given that the company is already hurting from the poor reception and fan backlash from their last three games (DA2, SWotR and ME3), will this mark the end of BioWare as one of the leaders in western RPGs?

Link:http://blog.bioware.com/2012/09/18/ray-muzyka-greg-zeschuk-retire/

Maybe the Bioware Command and Conquer can turn it around...guynamedbilly

They still got Jon van Caneghem, who isn't a Bioware legend, but I still consider him a legend of PC games. He was lead designer of the Might and Magic games, and the early Heroes of Might and Magic games.

They made some amazing games and what I always found interesting was that both are doctors. Heil68

Maybe the Bioware Command and Conquer can turn it around...guynamedbilly

They will probably pop up again when they start a new company. They probably just want to keep it quiet so EA doesn't try to hinder their plans. They are both still fairly young so seems a bit odd they both decide to retire at the same time. More than likely they probably just want to make games without being told what to do.

Joy of joy!!! This company has released so many crappy games in the past few years. I am glad I won't have to here about these guys anymore. This is great news.

Joy of joy!!! This company has released so many crappy games in the past few years. I am glad I won't have to here about these guys anymore. This is great news.

jakes456

dosent mean the company is gone and retirment dosent mean you have to stop working or making games.

[QUOTE="guynamedbilly"]Maybe the Bioware Command and Conquer can turn it around...Majd_Abdulqadir

Awww, they will be missed, THey were fairly interresting in interveiws, and they put out alot of solid titles over the years (although they went downhill since EA bought them). Maybe they had planned it for a while, They did have less and less of a hands on with their games, maybe they did not enjoy to be hanaging instead of having both hands in the crafting and idea making.

Maybe they sold Bioware to EA because they both wanted out, or maybe they left because they felt constricted, nomatter the reason, they are a few great minds leaving now.

In before Jakes456 comment bashing Bioware.V4LENT1NE

Joy of joy!!! This company has released so many crappy games in the past few years. I am glad I won't have to here about these guys anymore. This is great news.

jakes456

Bioware is dead.ShadowDeathX

Everything EA touches turns to dust. Bioware will just end up the new Westwood, Origin, Bullfrog, Pandemic...etc. We should by now know what happens when EA buys up one of your favorite devs. I used to love the games Bioware was bringing out and would always have them on my most wanted list. Now, I don't even bother. I have not played DA2 or ME3 yet and doubt i ever will.

People talk about Activision being evil for selling you the same game over and over. Sure they overprice their dlc and they dont ever have a decent digital sale. Atleast they are not bloating what they sell you with day 1 dlc(most of the time), draconian drm, restricting your choice on online store and shutting down the online servers of 1 year old games(EA MMA).

EA is by far the worst publisher in videogaming to date. We should just be happy they were not able buy Valve.

Bioware is so boned.

I wish I could care but I don't.

Actually, the end of Bioware took place when they started pushing their social propaganda, instead of trying to make great games.

Biowares downhill slide started right after kotor - That was years ago.

It sucks, but honestly the studio has been going downhill recently so I can't blame them for wanting to leave it while their legacy would remain untarnished.

one of the leaders in western RPGs?

Mazoch

Since when did Bioware ever create RPGs? Narrative-driven dungeon crawlers are just that,narrative-driven dungeon crawlers, not RPGs.

I'll be sad to see them go. I'll remember the Bioware of Baldurs Gate, NWN, KOTOR, DAO, ME rather than the Bioware of DA2, ME3 and TOR.

While I admire them personally and recognize their accomplishments, I can't say I really enjoyed the RPG's they made (at least in the last 10 years or so). Basically, not a loss for me so I really don't care.

[QUOTE="Mazoch"]

one of the leaders in western RPGs?

Socijalisticka

Since when did Bioware ever create RPGs? Narrative-driven dungeon crawlers are just that,narrative-driven dungeon crawlers, not RPGs.

Today BioWares two founding figures Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk anounced that they are both retiring from BioWare and from the Video games industry. Love or hate the BioWare, but there's no denying that these two people and the company they made have played a huge role in creating the role playing genre we see today.

The other question is how this will affect BioWare. Given that the company is already hurting from the poor reception and fan backlash from their last three games (DA2, SWotR and ME3), will this mark the end of BioWare as one of the leaders in western RPGs?

Link:http://blog.bioware.com/2012/09/18/ray-muzyka-greg-zeschuk-retire/

Mazoch

I never enjoyed a single game they ever released.

Oh well, RIP Bioware, the majority loved you.

[QUOTE="Mazoch"]

one of the leaders in western RPGs?

Socijalisticka

Since when did Bioware ever create RPGs? Narrative-driven dungeon crawlers are just that,narrative-driven dungeon crawlers, not RPGs.

Actually, the end of Bioware took place when they started pushing their social propaganda

Born_Lucky

I lost all respect for them when they went down that road, so the news that they are retiring does not bother me in the least. In fact, it brings me joy.

[QUOTE="Socijalisticka"]

[QUOTE="Mazoch"]

one of the leaders in western RPGs?

FelipeInside

Since when did Bioware ever create RPGs? Narrative-driven dungeon crawlers are just that,narrative-driven dungeon crawlers, not RPGs.

Baldur's Gate 1+2! Nah those aren't RPGs at all!

/s Unbelievable.

[QUOTE="Mazoch"]

Today BioWares two founding figures Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk anounced that they are both retiring from BioWare and from the Video games industry. Love or hate the BioWare, but there's no denying that these two people and the company they made have played a huge role in creating the role playing genre we see today.

The other question is how this will affect BioWare. Given that the company is already hurting from the poor reception and fan backlash from their last three games (DA2, SWotR and ME3), will this mark the end of BioWare as one of the leaders in western RPGs?

Link:http://blog.bioware.com/2012/09/18/ray-muzyka-greg-zeschuk-retire/

svenus97

I dont think there's any doubt that the level of skepticism and criticism leveled at BioWare is far greater than it has been in the past. Look at the ongoing discussions about SWtoR, the large number of angry fans following the ME3 endings, the very lurk warm reception to DA2. I'm not saying that I agree or disagree with either side, but to claim that there is no issue here is to ignore the realities surrounding BioWare.

The last 3 games you mention all scored an 8+ on Gamespot. ME3 even scored a 9.0 If I remember correctly.

Like I said in the story comments, it was just a matter of time until EA killed Bioware. Well Bioware will stick around for a while, but the spirit of the company is gone. They will keep making rehashes and probably still get good sales until the hardcore fans finally get bored of playing the same thing every game.

The last 3 games you mention all scored an 8+ on Gamespot. ME3 even scored a 9.0 If I remember correctly.

HyperWarlock

Wasn't Baldur's Gate from Black Isle? and they just used BioWare's engine???FelipeInside

Nope, it was a Bioware game BUT Black Isle did help out (a lot) and I think it shows in the quality of the final product.

As much as I dislike and haven't cared for, with a few exceptions, any of Neo-Bioware'sgames since KotoR, they did make the Infinity Engine and, despite some of it's technological faults, there were some pretty good games created with that engine.

They're responsible in large part for the creation of the Mass Effect universe. ME is my second only to the Half-life series in my book. I salute those giants among men who now leave an industry they helped shape.

[QUOTE="Socijalisticka"]

[QUOTE="Mazoch"]

one of the leaders in western RPGs?

FelipeInside

Since when did Bioware ever create RPGs? Narrative-driven dungeon crawlers are just that, narrative-driven dungeon crawlers, not RPGs.

The games are party/dialogue driven with lenient character build, of which meaningful consequence applies mainly on dialogue choice and not on character build (bearing resemblence to MMORPGs) or a proper dynamic NPC interaction. They function just competently as fantasy action/adventure/dungeon-crawlers, yet they are severely lacking as RPGs.

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Socijalisticka"]

Since when did Bioware ever create RPGs? Narrative-driven dungeon crawlers are just that, narrative-driven dungeon crawlers, not RPGs.

Socijalisticka

The games are party/dialogue driven with lenient character build, of which meaningful consequence applies mainly on dialogue choice and not on character build (bearing resemblence to MMORPGs) or a proper dynamic NPC interaction. They function just competently as fantasy action/adventure/dungeon-crawlers, yet they are severely lacking as RPGs.

And therefore Baldurs Gate isn't an RPG either.

Yep, righto....

Seriously though, not calling DA:0, KOTOR and NWN + Baldurs Gates RPGs is a bit stupid imo. RPG just stands for Role Playing Game, and you definately role play in those games.

[QUOTE="Mazoch"]

one of the leaders in western RPGs?

Socijalisticka

Since when did Bioware ever create RPGs? Narrative-driven dungeon crawlers are just that,narrative-driven dungeon crawlers, not RPGs.

[QUOTE="Socijalisticka"]

[QUOTE="Mazoch"]

one of the leaders in western RPGs?

Makari

Since when did Bioware ever create RPGs? Narrative-driven dungeon crawlers are just that,narrative-driven dungeon crawlers, not RPGs.

And according to wikipedia, Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space are survival horror.

Love or hate the BioWare, but there's no denying that these two people and the company they made have played a huge role in creating the role playing genre we see today.

I wish I could care but I don't.

[QUOTE="Makari"][QUOTE="Socijalisticka"]

Since when did Bioware ever create RPGs? Narrative-driven dungeon crawlers are just that,narrative-driven dungeon crawlers, not RPGs.

Socijalisticka

And according to wikipedia, Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space are survival horror.

[QUOTE="Makari"][QUOTE="Socijalisticka"]

Since when did Bioware ever create RPGs? Narrative-driven dungeon crawlers are just that,narrative-driven dungeon crawlers, not RPGs.

Socijalisticka

And according to wikipedia, Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space are survival horror.