Johnn Four
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Joined: 12 Jan 2004 |
 Posted: Thursday, 03 November 2005 01:26PM |
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BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios announced today a creative and management partnership, forming one of the world's best-funded and largest independent game development houses. Read the official press release for full details.
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PIPBoy3000
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Joined: 17 Oct 2001
From: Eugene, Oregon |
Posted: Thursday, 03 November 2005 01:41PM |
Very interesting. It sounds like both studios are looking for a way to avoid the common "working with a publisher" pitfalls:
- Publisher fronts most of the money, so the publisher gets the most power in the relationship.
- Publisher can say when a title should ship, regardless of quality. Short term gain is traded for customer loyalty.
- Publishers are risk averse, so they prefer sequels over brand new IPs.
Of course, publishers can always be involved with making CDs and putting boxes on shelves . . . at least until digital distribution really kicks off.
It also makes me think that working with Wizards of the Coast and George Lucas really is as bad as the rumors say. |
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Bryan J
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Posted: Thursday, 03 November 2005 01:52PM |
If it means an end to having to put up with A***i then so much the better.  |
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LdyShayna
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Joined: 18 Oct 2001
From: Colorado |
Posted: Thursday, 03 November 2005 02:40PM |
Possibly, but I'm not as enthusiastic about the idea. I've seen a lot of companies become brandnames, and then nothing, while the kinds of games they used to make got cut altogether. Sierra, SSI, Micoprose, New World Computing, etc.
Not saying that BioWare will stop making RPGs, but I have to wonder if certain projects might not get re-evaluated in this new relationship. I find it difficult to have confidence that all is good and happy, with greater independence and an influx of cash but no other changes down the road. If they could just keep doing what they were doing, why would they need an influx of cash?
Meh. Whatever. We'll see, I guess.
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"True glory consists in doing what deserves to be written; in writing what deserves to be read; and in so living as to make the world happier for our living in it." - Pliny the Elder |
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Stealth
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Joined: 06 Feb 2002 |
Posted: Thursday, 03 November 2005 03:17PM |
I'm mixed as well. It's great to see BioWare gain additional funding and the strength to develop games until they are at the point where they feel they are finally done (vs. being rushed out the door by the publisher); however, with size comes bureaucracy and inefficiency. My biggest fear is a loss of the creative genius and high quality games that made BioWare what it is today. I also worry about BioWare losing its identity as only one piece of a larger enterprise.
Here's to hoping that this new venture has enough wherewithal to be its own publisher as well.
Only time will tell, I suppose.
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Stealth
For the spirit of comraderie, imagination, fantasy and role-play ... and most importantly, for the spirit that can only be found through Neverwinter Nights, which all of us have created together. |
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Jupp
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From: Liestal, Switzerland |
Posted: Thursday, 03 November 2005 03:24PM |
Here is the article in gamesindustry.biz
Click Here
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"It is a mistake to bow to the wishes of munchkins who whine." - E. Gary Gygax |
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LotusAssassin360
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 Jade Empire
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
From: Look behind you... |
Posted: Thursday, 03 November 2005 04:26PM |
Does this mean they'll be making games together? I don't quite understand the article.  |
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Zilor
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Joined: 19 Jun 2002 |
Posted: Thursday, 03 November 2005 05:17PM |
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This is scary as all hell, I can only see this as the beginning of the end. |
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LotusAssassin360
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Jade Empire
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
From: Look behind you... |
Posted: Thursday, 03 November 2005 05:30PM |
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I don't quite understand. Do they make games together now or just money? I don't understand. |
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LdyShayna
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Joined: 18 Oct 2001
From: Colorado |
Posted: Thursday, 03 November 2005 05:37PM |
Quote: Posted 11/03/05 17:30:47 (GMT) by LotusAssassin360
I don't quite understand. Do they make games together now or just money? I don't understand.
Essentially, they are now two teams under the same umbrella. If I read it correctly, the founders of both companies are still on the board of directors of the new entity, and a third entity wandered in with big bags of cash.
Essentially, both teams are promising they will be making the same sorts of games they were originally making. Internally held IPs (IE NOT Star Wars, but certainly Dragon Age) will be available to all parties involved. They are also in a stronger position to negotiate with publishers, as they are, for the moment at the very least, not as dependent on publisher payments to develop the games.
_________________
"True glory consists in doing what deserves to be written; in writing what deserves to be read; and in so living as to make the world happier for our living in it." - Pliny the Elder |
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LotusAssassin360
Game Owner
Jade Empire
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
From: Look behind you... |
Posted: Thursday, 03 November 2005 08:46PM |
Does this mean they to make games together? I like pandemic, but they may spoil the excellent rpg ideas, story, and twists which bioware was good at. They made shoot 'em ups. Pandemic also develops for playstation 2 and would make all the best games that made the pc and xbox and xbox 360 what they are today, not as good as it is no longer exclusive. No offense anyone, but I hate the ps2. I don't know why everybody likes it.  |
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LdyShayna
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Joined: 18 Oct 2001
From: Colorado |
Posted: Thursday, 03 November 2005 08:53PM |
Quote: Posted 11/03/05 20:46:43 (GMT) by LotusAssassin360
Does this mean they to make games together? I like pandemic, but they may spoil the excellent rpg ideas, story, and twists which bioware was good at. They made shoot 'em ups.
Doesn't appear that way. Looks like they will both be focusing on the games they've always made.
Quote: Pandemic also develops for playstation 2 and would make all the best games that made the pc and xbox and xbox 360 what they are today, not as good as it is no longer exclusive. No offense anyone, but I hate the ps2. I don't know why everybody likes it.
IMHO, games are not good because they are exlusive. They're good games regardless of what platform they are on. And yes, I like PS2 because of the games they have on it, but I would be just as keen on them if they came out on the XBox and/or PC as well.
I wonder, WOULD Pandemic's experience on the PS2 mean anything? Might BioWare make some games on the PS3 as well? That would be pretty good from my point of view.
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"True glory consists in doing what deserves to be written; in writing what deserves to be read; and in so living as to make the world happier for our living in it." - Pliny the Elder |
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Gu7
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Posted: Thursday, 03 November 2005 11:13PM |
I want Battlezone 3. Battlezone 2 is the only Pandemic game I've really enjoyed, but I was obsessed with it. It'd be awesome if Pandemic and Bioware could make a Battlezone 3. Add in some RPG elements, quests, dialogue trees, and an Aurora Toolset.
You create a pilot character. He has stats that determine what's he good at outside and inside his hovertank. As you fight, you gain experience and level up these stats. As you accept quests throughout the warzone, you gain biometal (loot), and you can use this biometal to repair your vehicles, buy new ones, upgrade your vehicles.
And of course, multiplayer co-op play for all these quests! |
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ukpik_090
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From: Somewhere in Ontario, Canada |
Posted: Friday, 04 November 2005 01:03AM |
I'm sad... Bioware was THE great Canadian development studio, and I love them. I felt at first like they went and sold me out, but it may be ok. I dislike and resent that they would go and partner with another company, but I also understand what a company must do to surivive. I also like that they didn't actually sell out per say, they're really are just joining... sort of... Anyways, I was very relieved to here that both would be keeping their offices, (so Bioware won't leave Edmonton, hopefully) and would continue with their own games. It would be no fun if Bioware had to move to California. But after all that, I'm still sad. Bioware Pandemic studios... ergh, it's hard for me to swallow. (sigh), I miss the old "Bioware Corp." days already... (sniff) oh well. As long as I get Mass Effect one two and three, I might just survive.
Maybe
-A "Bioware" lover
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stfrodric
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Posted: Friday, 04 November 2005 05:42AM |
I think everyone should essentially relax here. Reading thru the news releases and industry articles it appears that they were concerned about braindrain. That is, what happens when your Devs all start getting enough industry Cred to have the headhunters come knocking? How do you stop entire Dev teams simply leaving to found startups? Give them a stake in things so they feel involved in the fate of the company. In fact, by giving them a stake in the overall holding entity it encourages collaboration as both teams will now want to see each other do well and profit.
Lets also examine the statements made about the "pressure to release titles" that CEOs have mentioned. We all know it happens and a signifigant weapon on these issues is the Publishers cash. Less publisher cash means less pressure and less reliance on outside IP. Will LucasArts still have a ton of pull if Bioware does a Star Wars title? Of course. Will the publsher have a lot less pull with things like Mass Effect? You bet.
All around this has very positive potential for us. Therefore I suggest adopting a wait and see attitude on many aspects of this. My forecast is for fewer releases yearly but better and more solid releases overall. |
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