EA is NOW THE OWNER OF MASS EFFECT

[QUOTE="Dreams-Visions"][QUOTE="Nagidar"]

A publishing agreement does not neccessarily mean an exclusive agreement, (Although it is usually followed by one), I could really care less either way, I'm getting these games regardless of which platform its on, just because EA bouth BioWare, doesn't mean crappy games, BioWare will still be making them.

Adrian_Cloud

Please name all the games you are familiar with that were published by Microsoft Game Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment or Nintendo that appeared on a competing console.

I'll wait.

There are different levels of publishing. Sometimes the publisher only provides marketing and manufacturing and sometimes they also provide development money. If MS is financing development then you can be sure Mass Effect isnt going anywhere.

[QUOTE="Dreams-Visions"][QUOTE="Nagidar"]

A publishing agreement does not neccessarily mean an exclusive agreement, (Although it is usually followed by one), I could really care less either way, I'm getting these games regardless of which platform its on, just because EA bouth BioWare, doesn't mean crappy games, BioWare will still be making them.

Nagidar

Please name all the games you are familiar with that were published by Microsoft Game Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment or Nintendo that appeared on a competing console.

I'll wait.

No, you are misunderstanding, people seem to think that Publishing and an Exclusivity Agreement are the same thing, when they are not, an Exclusivity Agreement is a seperate beast all together. But when a console manufacturer publishes a game, it is usually followed by an Exclusivity Agreement.

I'm not saying MS doesn't have an agreement with BioWare, I'm saying Publishing isn't the same term as Exclusivity.

What I'm saying is that while you're very correct, games published by the console makers have always been...different. So far as I can recall, I've never seen a MGS, SCE or Nintendo game published on a competing console.

Never.

Have you? I think it's fair to presume, then, that when those 3 decide to *publish* someone's game, they make sure there are clauses that keep their newly-published game off of competing consoles.

Fair assumption, no?

[QUOTE="Adrian_Cloud"][QUOTE="Dreams-Visions"][QUOTE="Nagidar"]

A publishing agreement does not neccessarily mean an exclusive agreement, (Although it is usually followed by one), I could really care less either way, I'm getting these games regardless of which platform its on, just because EA bouth BioWare, doesn't mean crappy games, BioWare will still be making them.

TOAO_Cyrus1

Please name all the games you are familiar with that were published by Microsoft Game Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment or Nintendo that appeared on a competing console.

I'll wait.

There are different levels of publishing. Sometimes the publisher only provides marketing and manufacturing and sometimes they also provide development money. If MS is financing development then you can be sure Mass Effect isnt going anywhere.

I think "Only on Xbox 360" and "Published by MGS" pretty strongly suggest it's not going anywhere else except Vista.

[QUOTE="Nagidar"][QUOTE="Dreams-Visions"][QUOTE="Nagidar"]

A publishing agreement does not neccessarily mean an exclusive agreement, (Although it is usually followed by one), I could really care less either way, I'm getting these games regardless of which platform its on, just because EA bouth BioWare, doesn't mean crappy games, BioWare will still be making them.

Dreams-Visions

Please name all the games you are familiar with that were published by Microsoft Game Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment or Nintendo that appeared on a competing console.

I'll wait.

No, you are misunderstanding, people seem to think that Publishing and an Exclusivity Agreement are the same thing, when they are not, an Exclusivity Agreement is a seperate beast all together. But when a console manufacturer publishes a game, it is usually followed by an Exclusivity Agreement.

I'm not saying MS doesn't have an agreement with BioWare, I'm saying Publishing isn't the same term as Exclusivity.

What I'm saying is that while you're very correct, games published by the console makers have always been...different. So far as I can recall, I've never seen a MGS, SCE or Nintendo game published on a competing console.

Never.

Have you? I think it's fair to presume, then, that when those 3 decide to *publish* someone's game, they make sure there are clauses that keep their newly-published game off of competing consoles.

Fair assumption, no?

No, I agree, I was just discerning the difference between the two terms, if there is an agreement between MS and BioWare (Which I personally and obviously, think there is), EA will likely "try" to buyout that contract. If MS is smart, they will send EA a big fat resounding, "HELL NO!" (Bill Gates voice)

I was wrong: MGS does not have Mass Effect 2 or 3 under contract:

We live in an age of franchises, when sequels are planned before a game ever hits. BioWare's Mass Effect is no exception, with heavy hype for the game already fueling talk of a trilogy. The two remaining games could be on the way fast, if BioWare president Greg Zeschuk has anything to say about it.

In an interview with CVG, Zeschuk said it is "certainly our intent to have all three iterations or installments of Mass Effect to be on Xbox 360." When pressed if he means that to mean constant 360 exclusivity, however, he points out that it's too far in the future to make that kind of determination.

Whether or not there will be time for all three Mass Effect games in this generation, however, is a matter of timing. "The law we can't control is the length of the console cycle," he said. "I hope, I hope, I hope that this cycle is longer than the last one. We kind of just got started last cycle and it kind of ended when our second game came out. Downloadable content could also bridge the gap by giving you new little islands of story between the big game releases."

Though game development length is sure to be shortened by the tools made available from Mass Effect's development, we're nearing two years into the Xbox 360's life cycle, and traditional console cycles are in the realm of 5 years. If this console cycle follows tradition, those next two games will have to be coming pretty quickly. 1UP

So yea...it's not gonna be Bioware's preference to appear on another console...but it could happen.

I was wrong: MGS does not have Mass Effect 2 or 3 under contract:

[QUOTE="1UP"]We live in an age of franchises, when sequels are planned before a game ever hits. BioWare's Mass Effect is no exception, with heavy hype for the game already fueling talk of a trilogy. The two remaining games could be on the way fast, if BioWare president Greg Zeschuk has anything to say about it.

In an interview with CVG, Zeschuk said it is "certainly our intent to have all three iterations or installments of Mass Effect to be on Xbox 360." When pressed if he means that to mean constant 360 exclusivity, however, he points out that it's too far in the future to make that kind of determination.

Whether or not there will be time for all three Mass Effect games in this generation, however, is a matter of timing. "The law we can't control is the length of the console cycle," he said. "I hope, I hope, I hope that this cycle is longer than the last one. We kind of just got started last cycle and it kind of ended when our second game came out. Downloadable content could also bridge the gap by giving you new little islands of story between the big game releases."

Though game development length is sure to be shortened by the tools made available from Mass Effect's development, we're nearing two years into the Xbox 360's life cycle, and traditional console cycles are in the realm of 5 years. If this console cycle follows tradition, those next two games will have to be coming pretty quickly. Dreams-Visions

So yea...it's not gonna be Bioware's preference to appear on another console...but it could happen.

When was that article written and do you have the link?

I was wrong: MGS does not have Mass Effect 2 or 3 under contract:

[QUOTE="1UP"]We live in an age of franchises, when sequels are planned before a game ever hits. BioWare's Mass Effect is no exception, with heavy hype for the game already fueling talk of a trilogy. The two remaining games could be on the way fast, if BioWare president Greg Zeschuk has anything to say about it.

In an interview with CVG, Zeschuk said it is "certainly our intent to have all three iterations or installments of Mass Effect to be on Xbox 360." When pressed if he means that to mean constant 360 exclusivity, however, he points out that it's too far in the future to make that kind of determination.

Whether or not there will be time for all three Mass Effect games in this generation, however, is a matter of timing. "The law we can't control is the length of the console cycle," he said. "I hope, I hope, I hope that this cycle is longer than the last one. We kind of just got started last cycle and it kind of ended when our second game came out. Downloadable content could also bridge the gap by giving you new little islands of story between the big game releases."

Though game development length is sure to be shortened by the tools made available from Mass Effect's development, we're nearing two years into the Xbox 360's life cycle, and traditional console cycles are in the realm of 5 years. If this console cycle follows tradition, those next two games will have to be coming pretty quickly. Dreams-Visions

So yea...it's not gonna be Bioware's preference to appear on another console...but it could happen.

its EA, of course the next couple of mass effect games will be mulitplat. on a scale of 1-10, how bad does this hurt the 360???

[QUOTE="Dreams-Visions"]

I was wrong: MGS does not have Mass Effect 2 or 3 under contract:

[QUOTE="1UP"]We live in an age of franchises, when sequels are planned before a game ever hits. BioWare's Mass Effect is no exception, with heavy hype for the game already fueling talk of a trilogy. The two remaining games could be on the way fast, if BioWare president Greg Zeschuk has anything to say about it.

In an interview with CVG, Zeschuk said it is "certainly our intent to have all three iterations or installments of Mass Effect to be on Xbox 360." When pressed if he means that to mean constant 360 exclusivity, however, he points out that it's too far in the future to make that kind of determination.

Whether or not there will be time for all three Mass Effect games in this generation, however, is a matter of timing. "The law we can't control is the length of the console cycle," he said. "I hope, I hope, I hope that this cycle is longer than the last one. We kind of just got started last cycle and it kind of ended when our second game came out. Downloadable content could also bridge the gap by giving you new little islands of story between the big game releases."

Though game development length is sure to be shortened by the tools made available from Mass Effect's development, we're nearing two years into the Xbox 360's life cycle, and traditional console cycles are in the realm of 5 years. If this console cycle follows tradition, those next two games will have to be coming pretty quickly. Nagidar

So yea...it's not gonna be Bioware's preference to appear on another console...but it could happen.

When was that article written and do you have the link?

Last month (9/19/07)

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3162957

[QUOTE="mikemil828"][QUOTE="nikolajz1"][QUOTE="mjarantilla"][QUOTE="mikemil828"]

ironcreed

Because BioWare's FOLLOWUP games can now go to the PS3 and PC. The first ME game will still be 360-exclusive (or at least 360/PC exclusive)

Ok so Microsoft has a contract to publish the Mass Effect games for the x360, there isn't anything stopping EA from publishing their own games for everything other than the x360.

Exactly....Microsoft is publishing ME, but EA now OWNS it. Therefore, they can publish it under their own brand name where ever the hell they please....because they OWN it, lol. Why is this so hard for some to grasp?

no, one region one publisher. You can have a different publisher in Japan vs US but im sure MS was bright enough to secure the all the north american rights.

PS3 owners will never play mass effect, they may however play ME2 unless of course microsoft secured the rights to publish all ME titles in which case EA will have to honor that agreement.

There goes 2 great developers. BioShockOwnz

Woot.....Bring it to the ps3 EA!greenleaf2000

Yea because Lord knows it could use a good game..

[QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]There goes 2 great developers. ragrdoll21

huh? they're not going anywhere...

[QUOTE="Nagidar"][QUOTE="Dreams-Visions"]

I was wrong: MGS does not have Mass Effect 2 or 3 under contract:

[QUOTE="1UP"]We live in an age of franchises, when sequels are planned before a game ever hits. BioWare's Mass Effect is no exception, with heavy hype for the game already fueling talk of a trilogy. The two remaining games could be on the way fast, if BioWare president Greg Zeschuk has anything to say about it.

In an interview with CVG, Zeschuk said it is "certainly our intent to have all three iterations or installments of Mass Effect to be on Xbox 360." When pressed if he means that to mean constant 360 exclusivity, however, he points out that it's too far in the future to make that kind of determination.

Whether or not there will be time for all three Mass Effect games in this generation, however, is a matter of timing. "The law we can't control is the length of the console cycle," he said. "I hope, I hope, I hope that this cycle is longer than the last one. We kind of just got started last cycle and it kind of ended when our second game came out. Downloadable content could also bridge the gap by giving you new little islands of story between the big game releases."

Though game development length is sure to be shortened by the tools made available from Mass Effect's development, we're nearing two years into the Xbox 360's life cycle, and traditional console cycles are in the realm of 5 years. If this console cycle follows tradition, those next two games will have to be coming pretty quickly. Dreams-Visions

So yea...it's not gonna be Bioware's preference to appear on another console...but it could happen.

When was that article written and do you have the link?

Last month (9/19/07)

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3162957

Well, at least it looks like ME1 will be 360 only, again though, I don't care what console its on, I will buy and play them, wether that be 360 or PS3. (Sorry Wii owners, the Wii just couldn't handle ME)

[QUOTE="greenleaf2000"]Woot.....Bring it to the ps3 EA!OhSnapitz

Yea because Lord knows it could use a good game..

Well frist it is a long way from being on the PS 3, MS may not want to give up on Mass Effect, and may make a deal with EA too make it only on the 360, also EA isn't really the best at porting games, so it may be a good game on the 360, but if EA ported it to the PS3 it may not be a good game on the PS3.

[QUOTE="ragrdoll21"][QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]There goes 2 great developers. Dreams-Visions

huh? they're not going anywhere...

[QUOTE="Dreams-Visions"]

[QUOTE="ragrdoll21"][QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]There goes 2 great developers. ragrdoll21

huh? they're not going anywhere...

I wouldn't be shocked to see some key resignations and staff moving on to form something new.

[QUOTE="ragrdoll21"][QUOTE="Dreams-Visions"]

Dreams-Visions

I wouldn't be shocked to see some key resignations and staff moving on to form something new.

Now that right there is something that I would not be suprised at all to hear about in the coming days. I can see it now..."Key members of Bioware leaving to start their own new dev studio."

wow my topic grew

Huge fast

[QUOTE="Pro_wrestler"][QUOTE="Squall_Griver"][QUOTE="Dreams-Visions"][QUOTE="Squall_Griver"][QUOTE="Dreams-Visions"]

Mass Effect is still being published by MS which covers the trilogy.

Only way to break that is for EA to buy it out from MS, which is possible but unlikely..

Nagidar

You do understand that "owner" and "publisher" are two different things? You can be the exclusive publisher of something you do not explicitly own.

No? So Bioware being bought automatically negates Microsofts publishing agreement? Unless it said "Unless we get bought by another company, Microsoft will always be the publisher" Unless it specifically states that in their contract then theres no way to change it unless theirs a renegotiation between EA and Microsoft.

A publishing agreement does not neccessarily mean an exclusive agreement, (Although it is usually followed by one), I could really care less either way, I'm getting these games regardless of which platform its on, just because EA bought BioWare, doesn't mean crappy games, BioWare will still be making them.

Right but all fingers point to the latter because Mass Effect has been in the making for 3 years, long before we knew what next-gen was. If Msft realized in the past that it is just as possible for Bioware to put Mass Effect on Playstation 3 years ago..why not go ahead and sign an exclusive deal? It seems like they would have foresaw this right? If KOTOR 1/2 are any indication of what Bioware has done for MS and RPGs being successful on their platform, I think it would have been smart to sign on the dotted line of exclusivity. Afterall...developers always plan their game before they decide which platform to go on, why no previous plans for a Playstation version if some sort of exclusivity is in effect.

Still though, we'll have to wait and see for sure. I'm still getting Mass Effect, I just hope that the quality of the series is not compromised by big business deadlines, meetings and all of other distracting things. EA has a track record of rushing games to platforms if NBA Live 08 for the Wii is an example..

[QUOTE="ironcreed"][QUOTE="mikemil828"][QUOTE="nikolajz1"][QUOTE="mjarantilla"][QUOTE="mikemil828"]

caiaphas143

Because BioWare's FOLLOWUP games can now go to the PS3 and PC. The first ME game will still be 360-exclusive (or at least 360/PC exclusive)

Ok so Microsoft has a contract to publish the Mass Effect games for the x360, there isn't anything stopping EA from publishing their own games for everything other than the x360.

Exactly....Microsoft is publishing ME, but EA now OWNS it. Therefore, they can publish it under their own brand name where ever the hell they please....because they OWN it, lol. Why is this so hard for some to grasp?

no, one region one publisher. You can have a different publisher in Japan vs US but im sure MS was bright enough to secure the all the north american rights.

PS3 owners will never play mass effect, they may however play ME2 unless of course microsoft secured the rights to publish all ME titles in which case EA will have to honor that agreement.

You can have multiple publishers for a game even in the same region.

Examples:

The Orange Box in retail box form is Published by EA, but it is also published by Valve itself through steam

Elder Scrolls oblivion for the X360 and the PC was published by 2k Games, but the PS3 version was published by Bethesda themselves.

If 2k games couldn't stop Bethesda from publishing their own games, why would Microsoft with EA?

[QUOTE="caiaphas143"][QUOTE="ironcreed"][QUOTE="mikemil828"][QUOTE="nikolajz1"][QUOTE="mjarantilla"][QUOTE="mikemil828"]

mikemil828

Because BioWare's FOLLOWUP games can now go to the PS3 and PC. The first ME game will still be 360-exclusive (or at least 360/PC exclusive)

Ok so Microsoft has a contract to publish the Mass Effect games for the x360, there isn't anything stopping EA from publishing their own games for everything other than the x360.

Exactly....Microsoft is publishing ME, but EA now OWNS it. Therefore, they can publish it under their own brand name where ever the hell they please....because they OWN it, lol. Why is this so hard for some to grasp?

no, one region one publisher. You can have a different publisher in Japan vs US but im sure MS was bright enough to secure the all the north american rights.

PS3 owners will never play mass effect, they may however play ME2 unless of course microsoft secured the rights to publish all ME titles in which case EA will have to honor that agreement.

You can have multiple publishers for a game even in the same region.

Examples:

The Orange Box in retail box form is Published by EA, but it is also published by Valve itself through steam

Elder Scrolls oblivion for the X360 and the PC was published by 2k Games, but the PS3 version was published by Bethesda themselves.

If 2k games couldn't stop Bethesda from publishing their own games, why would Microsoft with EA?

I wouldn't underestimate microsoft on this. They have way more money than EA. I'm sure they will secure the publishing rights and make a deal with EA. Kinda like how they are publishing Team Ninjas Ninja Gaiden 2 when Team Ninja is owned by Tecmo.

[QUOTE="caiaphas143"][QUOTE="ironcreed"]

mikemil828

Exactly....Microsoft is publishing ME, but EA now OWNS it. Therefore, they can publish it under their own brand name where ever the hell they please....because they OWN it, lol. Why is this so hard for some to grasp?

no, one region one publisher. You can have a different publisher in Japan vs US but im sure MS was bright enough to secure the all the north american rights.

PS3 owners will never play mass effect, they may however play ME2 unless of course microsoft secured the rights to publish all ME titles in which case EA will have to honor that agreement.

You can have multiple publishers for a game even in the same region.

Examples:

The Orange Box in retail box form is Published by EA, but it is also published by Valve itself through steam

Elder Scrolls oblivion for the X360 and the PC was published by 2k Games, but the PS3 version was published by Bethesda themselves.

If 2k games couldn't stop Bethesda from publishing their own games, why would Microsoft with EA?

Exactly....this is my understanding of it as well.

EA now has full control of Mass Effect, they don't need Microsoft to publish the game like Bioware needed to. The argeement was between M$ and Bioware, expect EA to relinquish the deal and make the game PC/360.

So if EA owns Mass Effect, there are high chances of it going multiplatform :?haris12121212

Since Bioware never gave jack to PS owners, cows have everything to gain but nothing to lose from this buyout. I know that I shouldn't be celebrating EA buying up yet another powerhouse, but it's hard to get worked up when it's something I will be directly benefiting from.

R.I.P Bioware

You watch people leave and the decline of bioware, how many rpg dev houses has EA killed now...

They try to fill a void in there game lineup but they just end up killing the companies they buy, damn one of the best dev houses and they are now on track to become another zombie corparation :(

STUFF YOU EA! BURN IT HELL!

Yet another company doomed to be hollow shell under the EA umbrella. Like most Dev's EA buys, the creative minds usually split up or just leave completely.

Maybe this is just a big plan by microsoft.

- Peter Moore joins EA

- EA buys up mega developers/Ubisoft merger.

- Peter Moore , helps bring EA/Ubi down to a weakened state.

- MS buys/hostile takeover of EA/Ubi.

- MS proceeds to world domination.

- Another Videogame crash accurs and never recovers.

[QUOTE="haris12121212"]So if EA owns Mass Effect, there are high chances of it going multiplatform :?Timstuff

Since Bioware never gave jack to PS owners, cows have everything to gain but nothing to lose from this buyout. I know that I shouldn't be celebrating EA buying up yet another powerhouse, but it's hard to get worked up when it's something I will be directly benefiting from.

me 2 lol, besides the fact that in every 360 arguement, the words mass effect and bioware are used. ah this helps ps3 fans out greatly, unless of course EA screws up everything , but i dont see that happening.

[QUOTE="Timstuff"]

[QUOTE="haris12121212"]So if EA owns Mass Effect, there are high chances of it going multiplatform :?Bren128

Since Bioware never gave jack to PS owners, cows have everything to gain but nothing to lose from this buyout. I know that I shouldn't be celebrating EA buying up yet another powerhouse, but it's hard to get worked up when it's something I will be directly benefiting from.

me 2 lol, besides the fact that in every 360 arguement, the words mass effect and bioware are used. ah this helps ps3 fans out greatly, unless of course EA screws up everything , but i dont see that happening.

EA screw something up? NO WAI!!11!!

[QUOTE="Bren128"][QUOTE="Timstuff"]

[QUOTE="haris12121212"]So if EA owns Mass Effect, there are high chances of it going multiplatform :?Nagidar

Since Bioware never gave jack to PS owners, cows have everything to gain but nothing to lose from this buyout. I know that I shouldn't be celebrating EA buying up yet another powerhouse, but it's hard to get worked up when it's something I will be directly benefiting from.

me 2 lol, besides the fact that in every 360 arguement, the words mass effect and bioware are used. ah this helps ps3 fans out greatly, unless of course EA screws up everything , but i dont see that happening.

EA screw something up? NO WAI!!11!!

well if they leave the bioware team alone, and they dont make them rush anything. Then things will be ok.....

R.I.P Bioware

You watch people leave and the decline of bioware, how many rpg dev houses has EA killed now...

They try to fill a void in there game lineup but they just end up killing the companies they buy, damn one of the best dev houses and they are now on track to become another zombie corparation :(

STUFF YOU EA! BURN IT HELL!

Zenkuso

That is the worst case scenario here....let's just hope that Bioware does not end up with an internal mutiny over this, as that will lead to the inevitable demise of what Bioware once was....with only the name remaining. But the team a shadow of their former selves.

However, if they stay intact internally, and EA gives them breathing room to develop, then expect EA to have higher quality games that appeal to core audiences. That would be the best case scenario for us gamers. But, if EA wants to take control over Bioware's developmental decisions, then indeed, the future of Bioware games looks bleak to say the least. Mass Effect just may be the real Bioware's last epic hoorah.

Does anybody think that peter moore could be behind this?exiledsnake

Even though he is head of EA Sports, there is a distinct possibility that he may have some internal pull that lead to this move. I would not count it out.

[QUOTE="mikemil828"]

You can have multiple publishers for a game even in the same region.

Examples:

The Orange Box in retail box form is Published by EA, but it is also published by Valve itself through steam

Elder Scrolls oblivion for the X360 and the PC was published by 2k Games, but the PS3 version was published by Bethesda themselves.

If 2k games couldn't stop Bethesda from publishing their own games, why would Microsoft with EA?

sirk1264

I wouldn't underestimate microsoft on this. They have way more money than EA. I'm sure they will secure the publishing rights and make a deal with EA. Kinda like how they are publishing Team Ninjas Ninja Gaiden 2 when Team Ninja is owned by Tecmo.

The only way EA would agree to exclusitivity is if the amount of money on the table is more than they would feasibly get porting the game on every system they can, which would be a very high amount. One has to wonder how much more money Microsoft can splash seeing that their moneymaker, Windows Vista is faltering.

Does anybody think that peter moore could be behind this?exiledsnake

He sabotaged Sega to get their games on Xbox, and now he sabotages MS to get their games taken by EA. Makes sense. He's like a corporate Ninja who works for the highest bidder.

Does anybody think that peter moore could be behind this?exiledsnake

Peter Moore is just the head of a subdivision, there is a lot more folks that just him to decide to buy another company.

As soon as EA announced it had acquired BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios, the Xbox community wondered what would happen to the Mass Effect trilogy, which BioWare intended to begin and end on the Xbox 360 platform.

First, Microsoft Game Studios has confirmed that EA's acquisition of the developer of "Jade Empire" and "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" won't at all affect next month's release of Mass Effect. However, future games in this franchise are facing a dark horizon:

Microsoft has not yet announced specifics regarding sequels to "Mass Effect" but we'll be talking to EA and BioWare in the weeks to come. "Mass Effect" is the most anticipated role-playing game of the season, on any platform, and we are committed to the franchise's long term success.

When we asked about the ownership of the intellectual property, Microsoft confirmed that--unlike the Halo and Project Gotham Racing IPs, which are owned by Microsoft and not the respective developers--BioWare Corp. owns the Mass Effect IP.

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/14791/Microsoft-Provides-Update-on-Mass-Effect/

uh oh Bioware own it and EA own them plus the IP uh oh

[QUOTE="Zenkuso"]

R.I.P Bioware

You watch people leave and the decline of bioware, how many rpg dev houses has EA killed now...

They try to fill a void in there game lineup but they just end up killing the companies they buy, damn one of the best dev houses and they are now on track to become another zombie corparation :(

STUFF YOU EA! BURN IT HELL!

ironcreed

That is the worst case scenario here....let's just hope that Bioware does not end up with an internal mutiny over this, as that will lead to the inevitable demise of what Bioware once was....with only the name remaining. But the team a shadow of their former selves.

However, if they stay intact internally, and EA gives them breathing room to develop, then expect EA to have higher quality games that appeal to core audiences. That would be the best case scenario for us gamers. But, if EA wants to take control over Bioware's developmental decisions, then indeed, the future of Bioware games looks bleak to say the least. Mass Effect just may be the real Bioware's last epic hoorah.

Once the acquistion is complete "ALL" development decisions will run through EA management, thats just how EA works.

You make it, we break it!

That should be EAs motto, I can see a few key employees leaving after this cause creative freedom has just gone right out the window. I had total respect for bioware cause they always tried to avoid things like this, but instead of acquiring them directly EA found the loop hole and bought the holdings company that already had them thus acquiring not only bioware but pandemic as well. The whole fanbase for bioware is very disturb about this so much so many are going to simple boycott bioware future games cause we know there games in the future won't be aimed at the key players that bioware has always developed for, instead EA will make sure they shift focus to more casual friendly games which in itself will kill there games in general.

EA has acquired many companies over the years and many in the end folded an had to be incorparated into the EA dev houses, I wouldn't be surprised if this happens again once key employee's inside bioware start the exodus. It always happens in buyouts, vivendi + blizzard = blizzard north team leaving, Dice + EA = 2 head designers leaving & many of the programming staff, westwood + EA = doesn't even have the original team left at all, EA + bullfrog = bullfrogs death completely, EA + richard garriots old dev house = death.

Theres so much evidence to prove that bioware will become a shell of itself that people that think otherwise are kidding themselves, EA doesn't care about the dev houses they just want the IPs its that simple, bioware has just entered...

"The sh|t zone"