What will BioWare's new CRPG will be?

[Terry Penrod]

.

OLD NEWS FROM:

http://www.bioware.com/bioware_info/press_releases/BioMSPartnership/

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada – August 6th, 2002 – BioWare Corp. today announced that they are working on two new games, both roleplaying games based on two new intellectual properties, created and owned by BioWare. The first of the two un-named titles in production is being developed for the Xbox, the second for the PC.

Today, Microsoft Game Studios and BioWare Corp. are announcing that they have signed a first-party publishing partnership for the new Xbox game under development at BioWare.

The second game, a BioWare Corp. PC roleplaying property, is under development but has not yet been presented to any publisher.

"The partnership with Microsoft Game Studios is a perfect fit. They clearly share BioWare's vision and commitment to quality. To be publishing BioWare's first intellectual property - an all-new, epic Xbox roleplaying game - is a great opportunity for us. Of course, we also intend to continue our existing publisher relationships developing selected licenses", said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Joint CEO of BioWare Corp.

"As part of our long-term strategy, we continuously seek out premier game developers," said Ed Fries, vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. "BioWare has repeatedly delivered compelling games. Our publishing partnership with BioWare further represents our commitment to bring only the best experiences to gamers."

"Our PC developers are already hard at work on our other new 'secret' PC roleplaying game", said Dr. Greg Zeschuk, Joint CEO of BioWare Corp. "Creating our own universe is a great opportunity for us to deliver a game that is uniquely BioWare, and we look forward to creating an immersive BioWare RPG experience in the tradition of games like Baldur's Gate™ and Neverwinter Nights™," he concluded.

************************************************** *********************************************


Obviously, the key phrases "new intellectual properties" and "Creating our own universe" make it clear that BioWare's latest CRPG will not be an extension to any of their past games nor will it be based on the D&D / AD&D license. Which of course indicates that it will have nothing to do with Neverwinter Nights or LucasArts / StarWars: KOTOR.

We also know that they are developing Jade Empire in a new partnership with MS Game Studios exclusively for the Xbox and there are already loads of details about it. However, we have still not seen any official details about this announced, new RPG for the PC.

Has anyone heard any reliable inside info about it or does anyone want to hazard a guess as to what this mysterious new title will be? Will it be pure SP? SP + MP? A MMORPG? Will it be set in a fantasy-based game world? A sci-fi game world? Some other type of game world? Will it even be a pure RPG as opposed to an Action-RPG or perhaps a new breed Hybrid RPG?

Beats me. I just want to know more.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Nova]

I have absolutely no idea what it could be. I'm hoping E3 will clear that up :):

[Kalbrecht]

I would love to see a PCRPG based on the Jade Empire license.

Not only does it sound interesting, and would it open the license to more gamers, but it'd be a great use of the new worldset, cross-pollenation of the ideas and it'd be a waste not to use it with more diversity.

[Fzoulcmbyl]

I know this isn't Bioware, but I thought you might have missed it, and it does give you a bit more info. on the whole picture.


IGN posted this on April 5th.

Over the weekend we reported that an Atari PR representative had posted on official forums that Baldur's Gate III and Neverwinter Nights II are in the works.

Well, now that we're into the working week, we've had a chance to check with that very same Atari PR rep, Brandon Smith, as to just what's going on. As it stands right now, neither title has been officially announced. Rather, the point of his post was to say that Atari owns the rights to both of these franchises (and all new Dungeons & Dragons videogames for that matter), and has no intention to abandon either of them. In other words, even if Baldur's Gate III is not in active development right now, Atari has every intention of producing another Baldur's Gate title for the PC. Further, they know very well that another BG title has big shoes to fill, given the glowing reception that the first two games received from both critics and players. Atari wants to do right by the series.

Can we say that either Baldur's Gate III or Neverwinter Nights II are definitely, officially coming? Not at this time. But Atari knows very well the value of both franchises, and intends to release further PC titles for both. As for possible developers, it looks like much-loved BioWare is not a given for either (possible) title, though whether BioWare ends up being involved or not, Atari also assured us that new Baldur's Gate or Neverwinter Nights titles would get the attention of a top-level developer.

While none of this is the solid announcement we want for either game, it's reassuring news for fans of the franchises, and for PC RPG titles in general.

*...also of note, there was an Official announcement for KoToR 2.



Fzoul

[Gary V.]

All I know is ANYTHING Bioware does is a must-buy for me. Bioware gets me salivating like the words Final Fantasy does for many. But I enjoy Bioware's games much more.

[Circlebreaker]

Whatever it is they're making, I'm looking forward to it. I assume we'll here more of it at E3. I believe right now they're still working on the expansion for KOTOR, and the community expansion pack for NWN, and probably those other two projects.

[Cronus]

I really hope they make a BG3. The 2nd one really destroyed my life for a while...

[Terry Penrod]

.

I really hope they make a BG3. The 2nd one really destroyed my life for a while...

Me too but I'd happily "settle" for an extension to Planescape: Torment assuming there are no direct conflicts with Interplay. Same goes for a vastly expanded sequel to NWN or even KOTOR.

But first and foremost I'd love to see a worthy second sequel to the epic BG series. No doubt it would be in full 3D this time with the D&D 3E Rules and probably the same sort of DM MP mode and advanced Aurora modding tools - which would certainly enhance it even more.

Just as long as the same level of storytelling, NPC development, side quests, artful design, voice and music quality, and scope was maintained, I'd be thrilled with whatever they came up with.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Bruenor]

.



Me too but I'd happily "settle" for an extension to Planescape: Torment assuming there are no direct conflicts with Interplay. Same goes for a vastly expanded sequel to NWN or even KOTOR.

But first and foremost I'd love to see a worthy second sequel to the epic BG series. No doubt it would be in full 3D this time with the D&D 3E Rules and probably the same sort of DM MP mode and advanced Aurora modding tools - which would certainly enhance it even more.

Just as long as the same level of storytelling, NPC development, side quests, artful design, voice and music quality, and scope was maintained, I'd be thrilled with whatever they came up with.

Cheers, Terry

.

Hmmm, KOTOR has a sequel and it's not being developed by Bioware (absolutely stupid IMO). Atari, AFAIK, hasn't determined who the developer of BG3 will be, but has said Bioware isn't a given (again, stupid IMO). My guess it will be their own property, as it seems that is what they are focusing on. And really who can blame them. When you are always developing someone else's property, you are left to the whims of the copyright holder. There is a lot more freedom in developing your own property, not too mention increased inherent value if it is successful.

That being said, I agree with Terry, I'll most likely be thrilled with whatever they come up with.

[Circlebreaker]

According to the rumors KOTOR 2 is being developped by the new studio of Feargus Urquhart (the guy from BIS), IIRC, so if that's true that should probably turn out allright. I'm more concerned with who is going to be the developper for BG3, to be honest. I just hope whoever develops it will do justice to the previous games.

[Bruenor]

According to the rumors KOTOR 2 is being developped by the new studio of Feargus Urquhart (the guy from BIS), IIRC, so if that's true that should probably turn out allright. I'm more concerned with who is going to be the developper for BG3, to be honest. I just hope whoever develops it will do justice to the previous games.

Actually I heard that too about KOTOR 3. The good thing there is that the new studio (whose name escapes me) and Bioware actually have a contractual working relationship. This means to me that there is a great opportunity for the new developer to call upon the experience of Bioware to ensure the sequel does the franchise justice.

[Dwango]

Actually I heard that too about KOTOR 3. The good thing there is that the new studio (whose name escapes me) and Bioware actually have a contractual working relationship. This means to me that there is a great opportunity for the new developer to call upon the experience of Bioware to ensure the sequel does the franchise justice.

The company is Obsidian (http://www.obsidianent.com/index.html). It is the reminant Black Isle Employees who did not go on to Troika or Bioware. Apparently they are developing the add-on for KOTOR. I had not heard if they were doing KOTOR2 (edit: my mistake, the multiple articles on the web indicate they are doing the second part.)

[Circlebreaker]

Obsidian, off course. I should've known the name, it just slipped me completely. I believe Bioware was doing the expansion for KOTOR themselves, and Obsidian was doing the sequel.

And welcome to the new place Dwango! :):

[Terry Penrod]

.

Heck, that's the next best thing to the old BIS / BioWare collaborations that brought us Planescape: Torment, The Baldur's Gate Series and Icewind Dale. Sounds like a great partnership to me. They will have fewer financial distractions, newer D&D rules, a new license agreement, a whole new 3D engine with SP and MP toolset plus a real DM MP mode that already works online and more overall resources to work with. Gotta love those circumstances because they are the ingredients to perhaps a whole new generation of superb RPGs in both the D&D and StarWars universe plus as many as two all-new original ones.

My only fear is that they too will begin to treat us creaky old, original PC fans as second class citizens.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Chylde Roland]

What will BioWare's new CRPG will be?

It will be good, that's what it will be. :):

[SupaTroopa]

Hehe, I agree with Chylde!

I STILL have not had the time to really get deep into NWN Gold, it's a looooong winded game that ended up being quite enjoyable, but I had to put it off until I get to some other newer games I couldn't wait to play (Far Cry, Painkiller, Simpsons Hit & Run, MVP Baseball 2004).

I also am looking forward to re-installing KOTOR and playing through it again as an evil bastage with my new 9800 Pro on XP. My goodness that was a great game (I'm partial to Sci-Fi games).

Nothing but quality games coming out of the Bioware camp...some day I hope to get to Gothic I&II in the near future also. (on an unrelated note)

[Terry Penrod]

.

Boy do I know what you mean.

I've still got NWN Gold + HotU sitting here gathering dust with a huge list of all the best SP and MP modules also waiting to play. But first I need to play Arx Fatalis. After those, I will concentrate on Morrowind GOTY, Gothic 1 & 2 and KOTOR before finally moving on.

Am still debating the merits of Deus Ex: IW, Lionheart and Greyhawk / ToEE though...

Cheers, Terry

.

[Kalbrecht]

.

Boy do I know what you mean.

I've still got NWN Gold + HotU sitting here gathering dust with a huge list of all the best SP and MP modules also waiting to play. But first I need to play Arx Fatalis. After those, I will concentrate on Morrowind GOTY, Gothic 1 & 2 and KOTOR before finally moving on.

Am still debating the merits of Deus Ex: IW, Lionheart and Greyhawk / ToEE though...

Cheers, Terry

.

Hey Terry - I'm in the midst of Lionheart right now.

It's got some issues gameplay-wise and technically, but it's very playable. The combination of mediaeval and fantasy is pretty well done. The story (so far for me) seems fairly background, but the quests seem pretty well structured.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Heya Kalbrecht / Chai -

I know but there are just so many amazing SP and now MP CRPGs plus RPG Although I am finally playing a whole bunch of the best PC shooters missed over the past few years and am finally whittling down this huge CRPG backlog list to a select few greats. In time, I WILL catch-up and be then able to focus "only" on my all-time favorites in several key genres, along with "only" the cream of the new crop as they come out.

Boy is this hobby demanding sometimes. But you know, we have to do what we have to do.

Cheers, Terry

.

[SupaTroopa]

Am still debating the merits of Deus Ex: IW, Lionheart and Greyhawk / ToEE though...

DX:IW is also a big ? for me as well, considering I've just upgraded my system it should be plenty playable, which was my major concern previously, as well as the fact it is simply 1/3rd as long as the original and still retails for a whopping $50 for roughly 10-15 hours of gameplay.

Considering I've become a Hitman fan also since Hitman 2 (which i thought was excellent) I'm gonna have to make a decision on these two games ultimately (Hitman Contracts just came out).

And then of course try to find time/space to play through NWN Gold thoroughly and KOTOR again...I'm thinking I should just hold off on buying any new games for a while...ugh!

[Terry Penrod]

.

Deus EX: IW went straight from the very top of my PC game wish list to a distant bargain bin time filler at best. I'll grab it someday when it's pracitcally free and I have nothing better to do. A real shame but that is how I feel about a sequel that fails to address the original core audience that made it a hit in the first place. Even if it is a decent title, it no longer deserves my valuable time, attention or hard earned money.

Cheers, Terry

.