Mass Effect Creative Director Casey Hudson has announced he is leaving Bioware. In a joint statement with Bioware’s studio general manager Aaryn Flynn, Hudson revealed why he chose to leave the RPG giant. “Though there’s never an easy time to make a change like this, I believe this is the best time for it. The foundation of our new IP in Edmonton is complete, and the team is ready to move forward into pre-production on a title that I think will redefine interactive entertainment. Development for the next Mass Effect game is well underway, with stunning assets and playable builds that prove the team is ready to deliver the best Mass Effect experience to date. And the Dragon Age: Inquisition team is putting the final touches on a truly ambitious title with some of the most beautiful visuals I’ve seen in a game.
“But while I feel that the time has come, this is without a doubt the most difficult decision of my career. BioWare is as magical a place today as it was when I started. The projects we are working on are some of the most exciting and prestigious in the world. The talent in our teams is second to none. And the people here are some of my closest friends. I’ve spent more time with many of you than my own family, and I have enjoyed every day of it.” Hudson did not reveal where he would be heading next, but did reveal he will be taking “A much needed break.”
Hudson has worked at Bioware for over 16 years, where he worked on the incredibly well loved MD2K & NeverWinter Nights as Technical Director. Hudson moved on to work on the classic RPG Star Wars: Knight’s of the Old Republic as project director, and served as Creative Director on the Mass Effect series. “Casey’s focus on production quality, digital acting technology, and emotionally engaging narrative has made a substantial impact on BioWare and the video game industry as a whole.” Said Flynn. “We thank Casey for his hard work and dedication as we look back on his time with Bioware.”
Two major EA titles have been delayed. The first delay is for Dragon Age: Inquisition, which will miss it’s initial October 7th release date, and now come out on November 18th of this year. In a post on Dragon Age’s website, Executive Producer Mark Darrah spoke about the delay: “This last bit of time is about polishing the experience we want you to see. Ensuring that our open spaces are as engaging as possible. Strengthening the emotional impact of the Hero’s choices. And ensuring the experience you get is the best it can be in the platform you choose to play on.”
The second, and more substantial, delay is to Battlefield Hardline. The Visceral developed entry into the Battlefield franchise is delayed into 2015 due to fan response to the Beta in June, In a post to the Battlefield Blog DICE’s Karl Magnus Troedsson spoke about the decision, saying it came down to three major points: Multiplayer Innovation, Single Player Story Depth, and Stability. “We’re going to be adding some new feature ideas direct from the community that will evolve the cops and criminals fantasy into a truly unique Battlefield Multiplayer experience.” Troedsson wrote. He continued saying they plan on adding new features to the single player as well. Stabilty is in response to the disastrous launch of the Battlefield 4. “This has been a focus for our team since day one and we’re going to be using the extra time to continue to optimize the game for a stable launch.”
What do you think about the delays? Are you happy for the likely positive effect on the product or sad they are being delayed? Let me know in the comments below!
Bioware is charging forward with development of Dragon Age: Inquisition ahead of it’s Fall release date. Over the past few days, Bioware has released two slices of Dragon Age Inquisition gameplay, with over 30 minutes total released. If you are curious as exactly what Dragon Age: Inquisition will actually look like, this is your best opportunity yet. You get a good look at the game’s updated combat system (including a tactical shield), story, and learn how your actions will effect every region in the game.
As you may have noticed, the tactical camera looks to give players an almost XCom-esc view of the battlefield, and that will certainly change how all players go into battle. The above gameplay is running on the Xbox One. Bioware is promising to release even more looks at Dragon Age before it launches on October 7th, so keep it locked here for even more footage of this promising looking RPG.
EA has been showing off plenty of Dragon Age: Inquisition at E3 this week, and debuted quite a few new trailers and gameplay demos for it. In the trailer above, we are introduced to four new members of the Inquisition. First shown was Blackwall, a dwarven Grey Warden who brandishes a Great Sword, next was Sera, an elf described as “a wildcard”, followed by The Iron Bull, a Quanari mercenary, and closed with Vivian, a mage of incredible ambition and power.
The game looks to have 12 party members, including Varric, Cassandra Pentaghast, and Leliana, as well as the four new members introduced in the trailer. Naturally, as we get closer to release, expect to learn more about the remaining five characters. Dragon Age: Inquisition arrives on PS4, Xbox One, PS3, PC and Xbox 360 on October 7th.
EA came into E3 this year to show off games that are coming in the far future, and next week. They chose to forgo the trailer route, and showed behind the scenes footage of many of their upcoming games, and had some cool new announcements as well. EA opened the show with two massive words, Star Wars. We got a behind the scenes journey into DICE’s development on the upcoming Battlefront title. DICE has captured actual models and props used on the original trilogy, as well as traveled to the locations the movies were filmed to ensure the proper feel of the game. Early concept footage was shown, but they promised more in Spring 2015.
Dragon Age Inquisition was shown off next, starting with another trailer featuring live cello music that was just plain breathtaking. Bioware Studio manager Aaron Flynn took to the stage to introduce a massive battle against a High Dragon, the “Apex Predator” of the Dragon Age world. You have to damage the dragon’s limbs first, and world your way inward. Dragon Age: Inquisition arrives October 7th.
Bioware teased two more games coming in the future. The first is the next installment in the Mass Effect franchise, which is being developed by Bioware Montreal. Casey Hudson, director of the Mass Effect franchise, is working on a new IP with the Bioware Edmenton studio, which was the main studio behind the Mass Effect franchise. No real footage was shown, but the confirmed that exploring the galaxy and it’s planets will return.
The Sims 4 was showcased next, promising smarter sims then ever before in a “deep simulation”. For the first time in the franchise, you will be able to control your Sims heart, with highly detailed emotions. What type of personality you chose for your Sim will effect their future, their loves and their interest. Your Sim can also laugh to death, so there’s that. It will arrive on PC December 2nd.
EA UFC was showcased next, with Bruce Lee fighting BJ Penn. Bruce Lee has long been considered the godfather of MMA, and his inclusion in the game felt like a no brainer. It showcased a large section of a fight, which ended in Bruce Lee winning via super kick to the jaw. EA UFC launches next week, on June 17th. This was followed by EA NHL being demonstrated for the first time. Calling it the “Next generation of hockey”, all 12 players will have a physics system, as will the puck. It will arrive on September 9th.
Criterion, developers of the Burnout and Need for Speed franchise, are working on a new IP, and show off some very, very very early footage after EA joked that they “can’t keep anything secret”. It’s a game all about speed, with vehicles like atvs, boats, helicopters, planes and wingsuits all included. It will be in first person, and was heavily influenced by athletes first person footage taken via first person cameras like Go-Pros.
EA will return to the golf world next Spring with EA Sports PGA Tour. The new game is being developed exclusively for next-gen, and will run on the Frostbyte 3 engine. It promises the world’s greatest courses, and the greatest extreme fantasy course. The trailer below showcases golfing over a battleship crashing from Battlefield 4. It’s insanity that I’m going to have to try.
Madden 15 was showcased next, with EA Sports promising improvements to the defensive side of the ball. The first improvement will shift the camera to behind the defense, as opposed to the camera angle being constantly from the offensive’s perspective. Tackle cones are coming to the game, which will improve open field tackling. An Emmy award winning cinematographer from NFL films was brought in to film hundreds of new player emotions as well.
Waystone Games then spoke about their MOBA, Dawngate. It launched in alpha last year, and has in players hands ever since. Waystone spoke about the importance of the game’s dialoge with it’s players and why that will create a better MOBA then ever before. The team also showed off how all of Dawngate’s proceedings are based around an over-arching story, a first a major MOBA.
Mirror’s Edge was on display next, with only early and conceptual footage shown. DICE wanted to stress how they are working to utilize movement in combat, and present Faith’s attack moves better with the combat. They also spoke about the movement, allowing more skilled players to move through the environment faster where less skilled players can take less complex routes. No release date was given.
FIFA will continue it’s juggernaut run this Fall with FIFA 15. EA is promising that “You will feel the game”. Players will show emotion based on what happens in the match. It will feature a new ball physics engine as well.
Battlefield Hardline closed the show with a six minute multiplayer demo. Featuring insanity like a tanker truck being used as a car bomb, shooting out supports to bring down a bridge, ziplines, and bringing down a massive crane to traverse the environment. Visceral also announced that the Battlefield Hardline closed beta will launch today on PS4 and PC. You can sign up now at battlefield.com/hardline
What did you think of the presser? Let me know in the comments below!
Bioware has given us our second day of Dragon Age Inquisition content today, with an all new trailer. This is our first official look at gameplay for Inquisition, though we have seen the game running before thanks to leaked footage from Gamescom. The story of Dragon Age is better explained as well, with you (the Inquisitor) being the only survivor of a blast that killed thousands, even going into The Fade and returning. That seems to be how you now lead the Inquisition into stopping The Breach.
Old friends will be joining you on this quest as well, with Varric, the narrator and companion from Dragon Age 2, returning, as was Varric’s captor Cassandra Pentaghast. Both of these two will be companions, and I believe that was Leliana from Dragon Age Origins at :50 seconds in. All in all, this was a very good trailer for Inquisition, Incredibly impressive visuals, and the gameplay looked fun from out short glimpses. I personally can not wait to play it when it comes to PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, and PC on October 7th.
Bioware revealed the official box art for Dragon Age: Inquisition today on Twitter. It can be seen below, and features the Inquisitor front and center. The Inquisitor is the leader of the Chantry’s fight to bring order to the land of Thedas once again. Since the events of Dragon Age II, the world has erupted into chaos, with Mages in an all out war against the Templars, nations go to war once again, and Dragons return to the skies for the first time in many a years. You can lead the Inquisition yourself this fall, when Dragon Age Inquisition arrives on PC, Xbox One, PS4, PS3, and Xbox 360.
Dragon Age: Inquisition is shaping up to be on of 2014’s biggest releases, and looks better with each bit of it I see. Today, Bioware released the above trailer that showcases the massive and diverse world of Dragon Age: Inquisition. We see massive forts, beautiful cities, ripping waves and so much more.
In a post on Bioware’s site, producer Cameron Lee writes “When we started Dragon Age: Inquisition, one of our earliest goals was to bring the world to life and let you decide who you want to be in this vast and complex world. We accomplished this by using the Frostbite engine, which supports massive areas, destruction, and the most advanced next-gen technology we’ve ever seen.”
Lee continued, saying that it’s Bioware’s most ambition game to date, featuring incredibly diverse locations and hidden areas. The world will also change depending on how you “tip the scales” in one area. Bandits may attack towns, Bears being eaten by Giants, or deers fleeing from wolves are all possible things you could see in this world.
“Our new “Discover the Dragon Age” video highlights only some of the locations you can choose to visit during your adventure. Each area in the video has its own realistic ecosystem with predators, prey, factions, and opportunities to expand your Inquisition.”
Dragon Age: Inquisition is slated for a Fall 2014 release on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
We have never been treated to an open world Star Wars game before, at least not one that has ever released. It loks like that may be changing if a new rumor/report from Kotaku is correct. A recent job posting from EA Canada says the team is working on a Star Wars title. Adding more fuel to this fire was a tweet from an EA job recruiter in September for a yet unnamed project back in September read “Best job title EVER! Lead Combat Designer for Star Wars @EA!” and linked to this job listing.
It would seem this game has a multi-site development, as Visceral Studios and EA Canada have nearidentical job listings for Executive Producer positions for Star Wars titles. EA has already confirmed that Visceral is one of three currently known studios to be working on Star Wars games, alongside Bioware (The Old Republic) and DICE (Star Wars Battlefront).
EA Canada is best known for developing games like Fight Night, but it is likely being used as a secondary studio, with Visceral taking the lead. Back in early May, EA acquired the rights to make Star Wars games for consoles and PC. As of now, we only know about Battlefront, but it would be silly to think that would be EA’s only Star Wars game. I’m sure we’ll learn more about the game as 2014 goes on though.
This reporter’s opinion: I’m salivating at the thought of an open world Star Wars game. Visceral has a great pedigree behind it, and additional people working on a game is not a bad idea. I’m sure EA wants this thing to hit the market as soon as it can as well.
We won’t get Dragon age Inquisition for atleast nine months, but Bioware has been showcasing the game at various expos around the world. Thankfully, Youtube user Pelaajaboard recorded one of these presentations and uploaded it you Youtube. In the 30 minutes of gameplay, showing of the game’s open world, improved combat, and how your choices will effect both the world and your party’s attitude toward you. Look for Inquisition on PC, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4 and Xbox One in Fall of 2014.
Mass Effect Creative Director Casey Hudson has announced he is leaving Bioware. In a joint statement with Bioware’s studio general manager Aaryn Flynn, Hudson revealed why he chose to leave the RPG giant. “Though there’s never an easy time to make a change like this, I believe this is the best time for it. The foundation of our new IP in Edmonton is complete, and the team is ready to move forward into pre-production on a title that I think will redefine interactive entertainment. Development for the next Mass Effect game is well underway, with stunning assets and playable builds that prove the team is ready to deliver the best Mass Effect experience to date. And the Dragon Age: Inquisition team is putting the final touches on a truly ambitious title with some of the most beautiful visuals I’ve seen in a game. 
League of Mediocre Gamers 