Bioware and Lucasarts join forces

[MarcVenice]

There is little to no information about the game they intend to develop, except that it will be an 'interactive entertainment product'. But knowing these guys developed games like Baldurs Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Knights of the Old Republic and Star Wars Galaxies, it will most likely be an RPG, in the form of an MMO. You can read the complete pressrelease here if you want to. Personaly, I can't wait to find out more about this.

 

[KeithTalent]

I'm confused by the double negative in the title of this thread. However, this would be very interesting if Bioware were not owned by EA now. I'm sure they will screw it up somehow.

KT

 

[Schadenfroh]

When EA and Lucas Arts (the ones you have to thank for KOTOR 2 being released before it was finished) join forces........

 

[MarcVenice]

Woops, fixed KT

And err, jeez guys, frigging lighten up will ya. TBH I doubt EA had a hand in this. Besides, EA is NOT going to publish it, so I really wonder how much EA will be influencing this game. EA might own Bioware, but that doesn't mean Bioware has allready been completely assimilated. If their original team is still intact, this could be very good news indeed.

 

[miniMUNCH]

From some insider info (friend of a friend who works at bioware kinda sh1t)... I heard that EA is basically going stay the hell out of bioware's business and just slurp off the profits... that would be smart; bioware has not made a game in recent history that was not massively profitable.

But I know two guys that work or worked at EA... I am leery that, somehow, the EA corporate culture is going to infest and poison Bioware.

 

[lupi]

So they're finally going to publicly release what's been known otherwise for like 2 years now?

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Woops, fixed KT

And err, jeez guys, frigging lighten up will ya. TBH I doubt EA had a hand in this. Besides, EA is NOT going to publish it, so I really wonder how much EA will be influencing this game. EA might own Bioware, but that doesn't mean Bioware has allready been completely assimilated. If their original team is still intact, this could be very good news indeed.

Haha thanks!

It's hard not to be pessimistic though, considering the crap EA has churned out recently and how many things they screw up once they get their dirty hands in it. Trust me, I hope for the best, but I am very wary.

KT

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: miniMUNCH
From some insider info (friend of a friend who works at bioware kinda sh1t)... I heard that EA is basically going stay the hell out of bioware's business and just slurp off the profits... that would be smart; bioware has not made a game in recent history that was not massively profitable.

But I know two guys that work or worked at EA... I am leery that, somehow, the EA corporate culture is going to infest and poison Bioware.

so they'll fire all the bioware guys and replace them with ea guys.

 

[s44]

This is, I think, confirmation of the rumored KOTOR MMO.

 

[Beev]

If I worked for Bioware, and EA bought us, I'd turn in my resignation that day. I'm sure there are gamer employees there that feel the same way and did the same thing.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

A lot of the appeal of the KOTOR games for me stemmed from the amazing stories they told on top of the great game play (if only the prequel trilogy was anywhere near as good as the KOTOR games...). I fear a MMO version will take that away because any story would be never ending as the focus would clearly be on endless hours of gameplay.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Beev
If I worked for Bioware, and EA bought us, I'd turn in my resignation that day.

EA Sports hired a programmer from my university as soon as he graduated and gave him an initial salary of 90K a year (fresh out of college with a 4-year CS degree). I never met him, but a few of my professors speak of him. I am not sure where he had to relocate to, but that is a pretty good starting salary for someone with a CS degree and no real world experience. What landed him the job (or so I am told) was that he created a game in his spare time, submitted it to EA (and other companies I assume), and EA hired him (highest bidder?) as soon as he graduated.

But, money is not everything and I would be willing to bet that EA will be working him very hard to justify paying someone fresh out of college that starting salary.

 

[shortylickens]

I was excited way back when I heard Bioware was thinking about a new RPG. Then I got depressed when I heard they were thinking about an MMO.

What I REALLY want, is a fixed KOTOR 2 or a KOTOR 3 with a slightly newer graphics engine, like source or Unreal 2.
Not so new that it causes heartaches or the visuals become the focus, but something a lot more capable and robust than before.

 

[450R]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
But, money is not everything and I would be willing to bet that EA will be working him very hard to justify paying someone fresh out of college that starting salary.

70-80 hours/week is apparently typical for EA. I wouldn't work that for what they're paying him.

 

[coloumb]

Hey - as long as SOE keeps their dirty idiotic hands out of this - we should be fine.

 

[Engraver]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
A lot of the appeal of the KOTOR games for me stemmed from the amazing stories they told on top of the great game play (if only the prequel trilogy was anywhere near as good as the KOTOR games...). I fear a MMO version will take that away because any story would be never ending as the focus would clearly be on endless hours of gameplay.

They should make it Diablo-esque multiplayer style. Then you get multiplayer, story, and gameplay.

 

[Sylvanas]

Not another MMO please, they need to think about how they got to be a company that provides great games and keep doing it- I'd be quite happy with a KOTOR 3 that has not been rushed and on a new engine. MMO is new territory and requires a different target audience to amaze imo.

 

[Modelworks]

This would be great news, except bioware was bought by EA.
An EA controlled MMO ?
No thanks !

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

Apparently the MMOG market isn't saturated enough.

 

[microAmp]

Originally posted by: Dethfrumbelo
Apparently the MMOG market isn't saturated enough.

Not with Sci-Fi, fantasy sure.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: microAmp
Not with Sci-Fi, fantasy sure.

Plenty Sci-Fi as well: PlanetSide, SWG, EVE, Matrix Online, random NCsoft titles.....

 

[miniMUNCH]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Beev
If I worked for Bioware, and EA bought us, I'd turn in my resignation that day.

EA Sports hired a programmer from my university as soon as he graduated and gave him an initial salary of 90K a year (fresh out of college with a 4-year CS degree). I never met him, but a few of my professors speak of him. I am not sure where he had to relocate to, but that is a pretty good starting salary for someone with a CS degree and no real world experience. What landed him the job (or so I am told) was that he created a game in his spare time, submitted it to EA (and other companies I assume), and EA hired him (highest bidder?) as soon as he graduated.

But, money is not everything and I would be willing to bet that EA will be working him very hard to justify paying someone fresh out of college that starting salary.

My one friend who worked at EA made good money (not 90k, but close) but was working 60-70 hour weeks... he got burned out and got a job elsewhere. It wasn't so much the hours (game dev's all over pretty much work 60+ hours a week from what I know) as it was the office politics and lack of appreciation.

The other guy (a friend sort of) who works at EA is getting burnt out from what I understand.

Bioware used to be one of 'the' game studios to work for... great games, fun people, lean and solid management structure, and good pay. I don't really know anymore, but I don't think a whole lot has changed even with the recent ownership changes.

Lucas Arts is relatively nice place to work. My brother in law works for Lucas Film / ILM. He doesn't really interact much with folks at Lucas Arts these days but when he did, people working there were pretty happy.

I'd like to see a cool Indiana Jones game... maybe an action RPG.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
When EA and Lucas Arts (the ones you have to thank for KOTOR 2 being released before it was finished) join forces........

That was the first thing that crossed my mind. That plus Hellgate London most likely being a forced early release due to pressure from EA on FSS. EA needs to die in a fire. I would imagine the same thing will happen if a game such KOTOR 3 is in the works.

 

[I4AT]

I find it hard to believe that ANY game developer works more than 40 hours a week given the quality (or lack thereof) of games being released. If all these buggy half assed pieces of software coming out are the result of 70 hour work weeks they don't deserve that 90K/year salary, and they should be kissing EA's ass for it.

 

[TehMac]

EA is probably going to make Dragon Age a console game ported to the PC for all the console retards.