inherit
7754
0
Nov 26, 2024 13:12:59 GMT
4,492
biggydx
2,641
Apr 17, 2017 16:08:05 GMT
April 2017
biggydx
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
BiggyMD
|
Post by biggydx on Sept 13, 2018 14:42:35 GMT
Hopefully I'm not posting this out of place.
I wanted to post this thread because it seems as though BioWare has garnered a sizable amount of criticism in recent years. With what happened with Andromeda, the way the ME3 ending turned out, and a couple glaring faults with Dragon Age: Inquisition, I see a number of people here (on BSN), and the internet, who question whether or not BioWare have lost their "touch". With them developing Anthem, a primarily online-multiplayer game, these comments are becoming more vocal; though I won't suggest if it's the majority or not.
Just to lay out my own opinions, I thought Andromeda was a good sci-fi game, just not a good Mass Effect game. Dragon Age Inquisition I generally enjoyed, but side quests could have been better, as well as the final boss fight. I enjoyed both the single player and multiplayer portions of ME3, and wasn't as put off by it's ending as others would be. Dragon Age 2 I played multiple times. Definitely had it's faults, but considering how many times I beat it, I must of enjoyed it to some degree. For most of their other titles I've played, I thoroughly enjoyed them.
I wanted to know what everyone else's opinion of the developer is. Do you think they've lost their way, and are soon to be made inconsequential to other developers; like CDPR, Rockstar, Bethesda, or Obsidian? Do you think recent stumbles they've made are just that, and that they'll recover soon? Or do you think they're still going strong, but are just having some growing pains?
Most of my opinions we're laid to bare in another topic I made, "Bioware's Messaging of Anthem." Generally, I think they're just going through some growing pains with the open world genre and the engine they're using. While I do think The Witcher 3 is likely going to force them to have to show up with the next Dragon Age (on a narrative front), I think the only big hurdles they have to deal with is development time and making sure they have a clear vision of the game they want to make.
|
|
Iakus
N7
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
Posts: 21,290 Likes: 50,647
inherit
402
0
Dec 21, 2018 17:35:11 GMT
50,647
Iakus
21,290
August 2016
iakus
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
|
Post by Iakus on Sept 13, 2018 14:56:00 GMT
Just to lay out my own opinions, I thought Andromeda was a good sci-fi game, just not a good Mass Effect game. Agreed. Also, they "streamlined" the combat way too much. This too. ME3 was a dumpster fire that continues to burn and stink up the place to this day. Yeah. It had some good ideas. THe execution was lacking though. Possibly due to lack of time or resources. I'm replaying Baldur's Gate 2 and reminiscing on the good old days. Sadly, I do think Bioware has lost their way. Bioware has stopped being the leaders in narrative-heavy rpgs and have become followers of fads. They'd rather be small fish in a big pond rather than big fish in a smaller pond. I'm almost afraid of what Dragon Age 4 will end up being. |
|
inherit
The homeostatic problem-solving structure
8860
0
Apr 26, 2022 11:22:31 GMT
9,079
Unicephalon 40-D
An unknown possibly hostile flotilla detected at eight hundred astronomical units from the sun!
5,042
Jun 29, 2017 12:57:11 GMT
June 2017
legendcncd
Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem, Dragon Age The Veilguard
LegendCNCD / AsariLoverFI
|
Post by Unicephalon 40-D on Sept 13, 2018 15:04:10 GMT
Also, they "streamlined" the combat way too much. Didnt that already happen in ME2.. and it stayed as bad until MEA. IMHO. |
|
Iakus
N7
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
Posts: 21,290 Likes: 50,647
inherit
402
0
Dec 21, 2018 17:35:11 GMT
50,647
Iakus
21,290
August 2016
iakus
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
|
Post by Iakus on Sept 13, 2018 15:15:01 GMT
Also, they "streamlined" the combat way too much. Didnt that already happen in ME2.. and it stayed as bad until MEA. IMHO. It started in ME2. But MEA got really bad. |
|
inherit
The homeostatic problem-solving structure
8860
0
Apr 26, 2022 11:22:31 GMT
9,079
Unicephalon 40-D
An unknown possibly hostile flotilla detected at eight hundred astronomical units from the sun!
5,042
Jun 29, 2017 12:57:11 GMT
June 2017
legendcncd
Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem, Dragon Age The Veilguard
LegendCNCD / AsariLoverFI
|
Post by Unicephalon 40-D on Sept 13, 2018 15:27:04 GMT
Didnt that already happen in ME2.. and it stayed as bad until MEA. IMHO. It started in ME2. But MEA got really bad. For me it remedied what they did with 2, also I wouldnt have touched MP if it was like in 3 - meaning I like more faster gameplay in MP side. Of course thats just the movement and new "heights"  but, they did less good with the power amounts... |
|
inherit
5079
0
Nov 25, 2024 16:14:33 GMT
1,825
ShadowAngel
#more Asari
1,599
Mar 19, 2017 16:14:51 GMT
March 2017
uegshadowangel
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
UEG ShadowAngel
|
Post by ShadowAngel on Sept 13, 2018 15:29:33 GMT
Also, they "streamlined" the combat way too much. Didnt that already happen in ME2.. and it stayed as bad until MEA. IMHO. It got worse each game since it you ask me. You got less abilities to use each game being a big one. Andromedas combat is only good by how it controls/feels, but it's options blow as it's nothing but more restrictions put on the player. |
|
inherit
410
0
Nov 23, 2024 11:57:59 GMT
3,504
Sartoz
6,890
August 2016
sartoz
https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.hVm-5wNStlyTEXjhwDoa_wHaEK%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=8f745a5f30b08f8231ddb64664df7375d23cc10878aa50d66fec54e9d570c7e2&ipo=images
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by Sartoz on Sept 13, 2018 15:33:57 GMT
More likely, Bio is constrained by a smaller budget from EA.
DA:I cost a ton. Easily 100+ million. EA failed to get the expected returns from the DAIMP. Andromeda got a smaller budget as a result, imo. To stay within budget, we got poor story and poor animation from software tools rather than with both software and human artists to correct the "auto tools".
Anthem, imo, is similarly constrained (budget wise). However, I believe Bio understands the negatives, from poor animation visuals. So, they cut costs elsewhere: From limited VOs, to story telling to limited (if at all) real choices and consequences since it creates complexities in the story. Oh, yes. Loot boxes were part of the original plans but scrapped. Again, imo. And no, I don't believe them if they say otherwise. Look at Belgium. EA is fighting the Gaming Commission insisting that LBs is not a gambling feature. EA seems to be willing to face criminal prosecution. Obviously, the loss of LBs is a hit on their wallet and investors won't be happy.
Bio, imo, is concentrating on a "complete" co-op combat experience at launch with tons of micro transaction vanity items. Solo play is an after thought. We will see good animations in Fort Tarsis. The content not gated with binary choices is proof, imo, that the dialogues are there to fatten the char and designed to "remove the paralysis" of consequences. In other words, we get the history of NPC chars.
On the assumption that Anthem is a success from EA's viewpoint, future Bio games may get bigger budgets. However, micro transactions and online play is here to stay.
|
|
inherit
5079
0
Nov 25, 2024 16:14:33 GMT
1,825
ShadowAngel
#more Asari
1,599
Mar 19, 2017 16:14:51 GMT
March 2017
uegshadowangel
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
UEG ShadowAngel
|
Post by ShadowAngel on Sept 13, 2018 15:36:03 GMT
Opinion of Bioware? They've got leadership issues to resolve, get that fixed and you won't have upset employees and time management being an issue.
Others will say they're not what they used to be (and they're right) but that should be expected as the people changed, I mean that also applies to any other studio out there as the Industry ages.
Bioware right now sits in a hit or miss spot when it comes to their games. Because of that drama follows. Furthermore I'd say they're on another change of direction course with anthem just as mass effect and dragon age were, you'll have people questioning their moves and losing interest in their newer games as it's not what those people want.
|
|
Sanunes
N6
Just a flip of the coin.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Prime Posts: 4392
Prime Likes: 882
Posts: 6,004 Likes: 9,088
Member is Online
inherit
1561
0
Member is Online
Nov 26, 2024 15:34:40 GMT
9,088
Sanunes
Just a flip of the coin.
6,004
Sept 13, 2016 11:51:12 GMT
September 2016
sanunes
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
4392
882
|
Post by Sanunes on Sept 13, 2018 18:27:36 GMT
I have watched a couple of videos on YouTube about the search for plotholes and I think BioWare games have the same problem. People are looking for ways to find problems and are looking at their games on the small scale instead of the whole picture. I don't always agree with MovieBob but he did a video on it recently and when he turns around how people were criticizing Solo towards Black Panther was interesting. There was another YouTube video I was watching, but cannot find it at the moment.
So to answer your question, I really don't think BioWare has changed that much and the other studios you mentioned don't make games the same was as BioWare.
|
|
inherit
7754
0
Nov 26, 2024 13:12:59 GMT
4,492
biggydx
2,641
Apr 17, 2017 16:08:05 GMT
April 2017
biggydx
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
BiggyMD
|
Post by biggydx on Sept 13, 2018 19:00:39 GMT
People are looking for ways to find problems and are looking at their games on the small scale instead of the whole picture. This is actually a sentiment I've voiced in that other topic as well. I think there's a contingent of gamers out there (at least those who follow gaming news) that cling on to any negative aspect of a game. That whole Spider-Man "whadda bout da puddles?" nonsense symbolizes this more than anything in my mind. A game should be susceptible to criticism when it's warranted, but I feel like after ME3's ending and EA's controversies theres a group of gamers who have it out for Bioware. No other studio gets more attention when a prominent developer leaves then they do, even if said developer has been at the studio for over 20 years. Another example is how blown out of proportion people made the technical bugs in Andromeda, when I imagine these same people excused them when playing games like Skyrim, Fallout 4, or New Vegas. To your point about mentalities in the studio changing, I do think that's true. Bioware's been around for a pretty long time as a studio, so it's far easier for people who liked their old titles to not see the spark like they used to in their newer entries. I don't blame people for feeling this way though. I'm the same way to some extent. But developers don't always have the choice to keep making the same game (gameplay wise) with a new coat of paint. Nintendo's Corr franchises are indicative of that. All that being said, I do think Bioware is going to have to be more conscientious of their narrative design elements and characters. People tend to not mind a lack of polish in other areas if the experience was worthwhile (overall). |
|
Sanunes
N6
Just a flip of the coin.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Prime Posts: 4392
Prime Likes: 882
Posts: 6,004 Likes: 9,088
Member is Online
inherit
1561
0
Member is Online
Nov 26, 2024 15:34:40 GMT
9,088
Sanunes
Just a flip of the coin.
6,004
Sept 13, 2016 11:51:12 GMT
September 2016
sanunes
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
4392
882
|
Post by Sanunes on Sept 13, 2018 19:07:21 GMT
People are looking for ways to find problems and are looking at their games on the small scale instead of the whole picture. This is actually a sentiment I've voiced in that other topic as well. I think there's a contingent of gamers out there (at least those who follow gaming news) that cling on to any negative aspect of a game. That whole Spider-Man "whadda bout da puddles?" nonsense symbolizes this more than anything in my mind. A game should be susceptible to criticism when it's warranted, but I feel like after ME3's ending and EA's controversies theres a group of gamers who have it out for Bioware. No other studio gets more attention when a prominent developer leaves then they do, even if said developer has been at the studio for over 20 years. Another example is how blown out of proportion people made the technical bugs in Andromeda, when I imagine these same people excused them when playing games like Skyrim, Fallout 4, or New Vegas. To your point about mentalities in the studio changing, I do think that's true. Bioware's been around for a pretty long time as a studio, so it's far easier for people who liked their old titles to not see the spark like they used to in their newer entries. I don't blame people for feeling this way though. I'm the same way to some extent. But developers don't always have the choice to keep making the same game (gameplay wise) with a new coat of paint. Nintendo's Corr franchises are indicative of that. All that being said, I do think Bioware is going to have to be more conscientious of their narrative design elements and characters. People tend to not mind a lack of polish in other areas if the experience was worthwhile (overall). I think its the shifting playerbase as well. We can all point and say "myself and the people I know what games more like Baldur's Gate or Jade Empire", but the catch is really is there an audience for the development budget of a BioWare game and I am not really sure if I can say that with the current budgets. EA is spending almost the same right now across all their platforms in development and only releasing a third to half as many titles. As much as we would want to say we know what players are wanting, BioWare has been collecting metrics from us for years and they know how a lot of people interact with their games. Agreed BioWare has and will always have faults, even Mass Effect 1 when they reused audio from voice actors regardless of what the player picked would have them ripped to shreds now and back then not a lot of people complained about it. My issue with Andromeda as a player wasn't the narrative design or quality, but how stretched out it felt. In Mass Effect 1 I think the story comes across as better for you can beat the primary path in just a few hours, but with Andromeda they took that quality of story and spread it super thin over 100 hour game. |
|
linksocarina
N5
Always teacher, sometimes writer
Teaching Mode Activated
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
PSN: LinksOcarina
Posts: 3,186 Likes: 4,072
inherit
Always teacher, sometimes writer
370
0
4,072
linksocarina
Teaching Mode Activated
3,186
August 2016
linksocarina
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
LinksOcarina
|
Post by linksocarina on Sept 13, 2018 19:13:56 GMT
It's problems with middle management vs talent and ideas.
Simple as that really. They are lasting this long though because they are doing something right of course. We also tend to forget that a decade ago there was a chance they would not even be here if it weren't for the EA buyout of VG Holding Corp, which was beginning to falter in 2007.
|
|
Iakus
N7
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
Posts: 21,290 Likes: 50,647
inherit
402
0
Dec 21, 2018 17:35:11 GMT
50,647
Iakus
21,290
August 2016
iakus
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
|
Post by Iakus on Sept 13, 2018 19:24:59 GMT
It's problems with middle management vs talent and ideas. Simple as that really. They are lasting this long though because they are doing something right of course. We also tend to forget that a decade ago there was a chance they would not even be here if it weren't for the EA buyout of VG Holding Corp, which was beginning to falter in 2007.  |
|
wright1978
N4
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
Prime Posts: 8,116
Prime Likes: 2073
Posts: 1,810 Likes: 2,870
inherit
1492
0
Nov 25, 2024 17:40:13 GMT
2,870
wright1978
1,810
Sept 8, 2016 12:06:29 GMT
September 2016
wright1978
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
8,116
2073
|
Post by wright1978 on Sept 13, 2018 19:30:24 GMT
I do think they’ve lost their way somewhat. Some of that is movement away from me as a customer but that’s not the whole story.
Me3 is a big mess. Horrid choice streamlining and a dumpster fire of a concluding portion.
I liked elements of mea but it felt like a game made as retort to the popularity of the militaristic ip they had created, rather than a particularly compelling story.
Dragon age has held together better. I love da2 character and story but it was obviously a rushed flawed endeavor. Equally I never really felt any affection for dai direction even I could see it objectively wasn’t a terrible game, just one I didn’t find that fun.
With anthem it definitely feels like it could be a seminal moment. Maybe this co-op non rpg is a diversion and a couple of years down the line we’ll see the more traditional bioware single player rpg being a rounding current success rather than its history. Or maybe not.
|
|
Sanunes
N6
Just a flip of the coin.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Prime Posts: 4392
Prime Likes: 882
Posts: 6,004 Likes: 9,088
Member is Online
inherit
1561
0
Member is Online
Nov 26, 2024 15:34:40 GMT
9,088
Sanunes
Just a flip of the coin.
6,004
Sept 13, 2016 11:51:12 GMT
September 2016
sanunes
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
4392
882
|
Post by Sanunes on Sept 13, 2018 19:31:32 GMT
It's problems with middle management vs talent and ideas. Simple as that really. They are lasting this long though because they are doing something right of course. We also tend to forget that a decade ago there was a chance they would not even be here if it weren't for the EA buyout of VG Holding Corp, which was beginning to falter in 2007. One of the doctors said in an interview that without the buying BioWare might not have survived the market crash. Especially if the reports are true Jade Empire was not a financial success, critics might have liked it unfortunately it didn't find an audience. |
|
inherit
7106
0
4,137
samhain444
1,669
April 2017
samhain444
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by samhain444 on Sept 13, 2018 19:36:57 GMT
It's problems with middle management vs talent and ideas. Simple as that really. They are lasting this long though because they are doing something right of course. We also tend to forget that a decade ago there was a chance they would not even be here if it weren't for the EA buyout of VG Holding Corp, which was beginning to falter in 2007. One of the doctors said in an interview that without the buying BioWare might not have survived the market crash. Especially if the reports are true Jade Empire was not a financial success, critics might have liked it unfortunately it didn't find an audience. Yep...EA's purchase of BioWare back in 2007 allowed "Dragon Age Origins" to happen in 2009. Also, this is one of the more amusing refrains I see on the internet and on Twitter - "EA is ruining BioWare" - like their purchase of BioWare was a recent acquisition and what they received over the past decade wasn't a result of BioWare being a funded subsidiary of EA. |
|
linksocarina
N5
Always teacher, sometimes writer
Teaching Mode Activated
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
PSN: LinksOcarina
Posts: 3,186 Likes: 4,072
inherit
Always teacher, sometimes writer
370
0
4,072
linksocarina
Teaching Mode Activated
3,186
August 2016
linksocarina
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
LinksOcarina
|
Post by linksocarina on Sept 13, 2018 19:39:20 GMT
It's problems with middle management vs talent and ideas. Simple as that really. They are lasting this long though because they are doing something right of course. We also tend to forget that a decade ago there was a chance they would not even be here if it weren't for the EA buyout of VG Holding Corp, which was beginning to falter in 2007. One of the doctors said in an interview that without the buying BioWare might not have survived the market crash. Especially if the reports are true Jade Empire was not a financial success, critics might have liked it unfortunately it didn't find an audience. Not only that, but remember Mass Effect 1 also had decent sales but was not a big hit until the 2nd game which was 7 million units worldwide. The trilogy is estimated to be about 14 million units sold, and I believe 4 or 5 million are under Mass Effect 3. So that leaves around 2 million for the first game, if I recall, maybe a bit more that's an estimate, I think it made money but kind of like Andromeda, not that much. |
|
linksocarina
N5
Always teacher, sometimes writer
Teaching Mode Activated
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
PSN: LinksOcarina
Posts: 3,186 Likes: 4,072
inherit
Always teacher, sometimes writer
370
0
4,072
linksocarina
Teaching Mode Activated
3,186
August 2016
linksocarina
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
LinksOcarina
|
Post by linksocarina on Sept 13, 2018 19:42:05 GMT
It's problems with middle management vs talent and ideas. Simple as that really. They are lasting this long though because they are doing something right of course. We also tend to forget that a decade ago there was a chance they would not even be here if it weren't for the EA buyout of VG Holding Corp, which was beginning to falter in 2007. I'm not sure if that's a criticism of BioWare or of the fanbase... |
|
inherit
3271
0
1,496
rras1994
856
February 2017
rras1994
|
Post by rras1994 on Sept 13, 2018 19:46:52 GMT
One of the doctors said in an interview that without the buying BioWare might not have survived the market crash. Especially if the reports are true Jade Empire was not a financial success, critics might have liked it unfortunately it didn't find an audience. Not only that, but remember Mass Effect 1 also had decent sales but was not a big hit until the 2nd game which was 7 million units worldwide. The trilogy is estimated to be about 14 million units sold, and I believe 4 or 5 million are under Mass Effect 3. So that leaves around 2 million for the first game, if I recall, maybe a bit more that's an estimate, I think it made money but kind of like Andromeda, not that much. 6 million for Mass Effect 3 - if I remember correctly the combined sales of Mass Effect 2 and 1 were less than Mass Effect 3 - Mass Effect 2 definetly did not sell 7 million as Mass Effect 3 was their highest selling title to date before DAI |
|
linksocarina
N5
Always teacher, sometimes writer
Teaching Mode Activated
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
PSN: LinksOcarina
Posts: 3,186 Likes: 4,072
inherit
Always teacher, sometimes writer
370
0
4,072
linksocarina
Teaching Mode Activated
3,186
August 2016
linksocarina
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
LinksOcarina
|
Post by linksocarina on Sept 13, 2018 19:51:38 GMT
Not only that, but remember Mass Effect 1 also had decent sales but was not a big hit until the 2nd game which was 7 million units worldwide. The trilogy is estimated to be about 14 million units sold, and I believe 4 or 5 million are under Mass Effect 3. So that leaves around 2 million for the first game, if I recall, maybe a bit more that's an estimate, I think it made money but kind of like Andromeda, not that much. 6 million for Mass Effect 3 - if I remember correctly the combined sales of Mass Effect 2 and 1 were less than Mass Effect 3 - Mass Effect 2 definetly did not sell 7 million as Mass Effect 3 was their highest selling title to date before DAI It's so damn hard to find concrete numbers. Apparently estimates combined the 7 million to 1 and 2, so I misread that. So If we split it, 3.5 million units a piece between the two games. I have no idea what the official numbers are, but I do remember 2 selling close to two million units in a week after launch, which was huge at the time. Presumption on my part as it being the top seller of the series based on faulty info. Sorry. |
|
inherit
3271
0
1,496
rras1994
856
February 2017
rras1994
|
Post by rras1994 on Sept 13, 2018 19:52:19 GMT
It's problems with middle management vs talent and ideas. Simple as that really. They are lasting this long though because they are doing something right of course. We also tend to forget that a decade ago there was a chance they would not even be here if it weren't for the EA buyout of VG Holding Corp, which was beginning to falter in 2007. One of the doctors said in an interview that without the buying BioWare might not have survived the market crash. Especially if the reports are true Jade Empire was not a financial success, critics might have liked it unfortunately it didn't find an audience. I'm pretty sure there was a panel not that long ago with some BioWare staff that said BioWare was running out of money before being bought by EA but I can't remember the name ( I think it was a gay con for gamers?) - I remember talking about it somewhere in this forum..... Edit: Just released it was me that made the thread and it was HavenCon and the transcript got deleted off reddit but the thread gives the basic gist: link |
|
inherit
3271
0
1,496
rras1994
856
February 2017
rras1994
|
Post by rras1994 on Sept 13, 2018 20:00:04 GMT
6 million for Mass Effect 3 - if I remember correctly the combined sales of Mass Effect 2 and 1 were less than Mass Effect 3 - Mass Effect 2 definetly did not sell 7 million as Mass Effect 3 was their highest selling title to date before DAI It's so damn hard to find concrete numbers. Apparently estimates combined the 7 million to 1 and 2, so I misread that. So If we split it, 3.5 million units a piece between the two games. I have no idea what the official numbers are, but I do remember 2 selling close to two million units in a week after launch, which was huge at the time. Presumption on my part as it being the top seller of the series based on faulty info. Sorry. Are you sure of that amount? NPD which is usually quite good at this data said Mass Effect 3 sold 1.3 million physical copies in it's debut month which was double what Mass Effect 2 in it's opening month and it's not as if digital was that big back in 2010 - I also wouldn't trust that 7 million figure for both ME1 and ME2 as it comes from VGchartz and their figures don't tend to be accurate. |
|
Sylvius the Mad
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
Posts: 686 Likes: 740
inherit
1078
0
Jul 17, 2019 20:15:37 GMT
740
Sylvius the Mad
686
August 2016
sylvius
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by Sylvius the Mad on Sept 13, 2018 20:02:55 GMT
One of the doctors said in an interview that without the buying BioWare might not have survived the market crash. Especially if the reports are true Jade Empire was not a financial success, critics might have liked it unfortunately it didn't find an audience. Yep...EA's purchase of BioWare back in 2007 allowed "Dragon Age Origins" to happen in 2009. Also, this is one of the more amusing refrains I see on the internet and on Twitter - "EA is ruining BioWare" - like their purchase of BioWare was a recent acquisition and what they received over the past decade wasn't a result of BioWare being a funded subsidiary of EA. BioWare made great games... 15+ years ago. DAO was terrific, yes, but it was such a throwback that no one wanted to publish it. EA agreed to do so only because they had to in order to buy the studio. |
|
linksocarina
N5
Always teacher, sometimes writer
Teaching Mode Activated
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
PSN: LinksOcarina
Posts: 3,186 Likes: 4,072
inherit
Always teacher, sometimes writer
370
0
4,072
linksocarina
Teaching Mode Activated
3,186
August 2016
linksocarina
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
LinksOcarina
|
Post by linksocarina on Sept 13, 2018 20:08:13 GMT
It's so damn hard to find concrete numbers. Apparently estimates combined the 7 million to 1 and 2, so I misread that. So If we split it, 3.5 million units a piece between the two games. I have no idea what the official numbers are, but I do remember 2 selling close to two million units in a week after launch, which was huge at the time. Presumption on my part as it being the top seller of the series based on faulty info. Sorry. Are you sure of that amount? NPD which is usually quite good at this data said Mass Effect 3 sold 1.3 million physical copies in it's debut month which was double what Mass Effect 2 in it's opening month and it's not as if digital was that big back in 2010 - I also wouldn't trust that 7 million figure for both ME1 and ME2 as it comes from VGchartz and their figures don't tend to be accurate. That was the numbers I remember seeing. This old report by MCV was where I got it at the time. Since the numbers come from EA, we can check financial records from conference calls during the quarter it was released, but it mentions Mass Effect only once as a "blockbuster" for the quarter. |
|
inherit
7106
0
4,137
samhain444
1,669
April 2017
samhain444
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by samhain444 on Sept 13, 2018 20:14:50 GMT
Yep...EA's purchase of BioWare back in 2007 allowed "Dragon Age Origins" to happen in 2009. Also, this is one of the more amusing refrains I see on the internet and on Twitter - "EA is ruining BioWare" - like their purchase of BioWare was a recent acquisition and what they received over the past decade wasn't a result of BioWare being a funded subsidiary of EA. BioWare made great games... 15+ years ago. DAO was terrific, yes, but it was such a throwback that no one wanted to publish it. EA agreed to do so only because they had to in order to buy the studio. KOTOR came out less than 15 years ago...are actually saying the last "Great" BioWare game that came out was "Neverwinter Nights"? Sorry, you are welcome to keep whatever opinion you want, but I have played and enjoyed every game they've released since Baldur's Gate pretty much (no, I'm not including "Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood") They mis-fire with ME:A and people get delusions of grandeur. BioWare are one game removed from their best release and Game of the Year...what they are putting out is fine |
|
but, they did less good with the power amounts...
