Well, you say 'different', but they have more in common than some random singers - both are huge, well-remembered and iconic, both performed at the same time, within same genres... both died around the same time. Gotta wonder about the significance for the choice of codenames.
Though I definitely have some ideas about who the 'rockstar' maaaay have been at some point in the narrative of DA
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”
Jason Schreier @jasonschreier Please do keep in mind that nobody, including the team behind Dragon Age 4, knows what Dragon Age 4 will ultimately look like. It's changing every day, and the negative reception to Anthem (plus EA's awful recent track record) might have a very real impact.
I mean, hell, maybe the Dragon Age 4 leads will gather all the negative reactions to this article, put them into a PowerPoint presentation, and use them as leverage against EA's pressure. Stranger things have happened.
Graham Scott biomasika I like to start all meetings by outlining my premise on the white board... in permanent ink.
Derek Hollan @derek_Hollan Bring a nail and scratch it in the surface for subsequent meetings.
Graham Scott biomasika I will say that the permanence left something to be desired. Though I now know why there is a container of wet wipes nearby every board.
Jos Hendriks @sjosz They can't change the subject if the subject can't be erased.
Jason Schreier @jasonschreier Please do keep in mind that nobody, including the team behind Dragon Age 4, knows what Dragon Age 4 will ultimately look like. It's changing every day, and the negative reception to Anthem (plus EA's awful recent track record) might have a very real impact.
I mean, hell, maybe the Dragon Age 4 leads will gather all the negative reactions to this article, put them into a PowerPoint presentation, and use them as leverage against EA's pressure. Stranger things have happened.
It's always strange to me how much more exhausted my brain is at the end of days that are 90% meetings than it ever was at the end of days where I did hands on work. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 'exhausted' reminds me of Jason Schreier's article.
Last Edit: Apr 10, 2019 2:09:32 GMT by apollexander
John Epler @eplerjc I will always remember my first day at BioWare (working on Sonic Chronicles). The art director stopped the team standup to ask if I was the guy who sold him his television (I was!)
Then I got my first taste of DAO (which was actually the game I had wanted to work on, ever since I saw it announced). I was a Term Tester at the time, and it gave me a deep and unending respect for QA.
Some time on ME2 doing mostly QA and a little cinematic design, and then my big chance - Wifch Hunt DLC. I... don't actually remember what I did on that. I should play it again.
Then DA2, DAI, and a whole lot else. It is absolutely wild to me to look at my job today and my job nearly 12 years ago.
Greed is neither good, nor bad. Everybody wants something they don't have
It's always strange to me how much more exhausted my brain is at the end of days that are 90% meetings than it ever was at the end of days where I did hands on work. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 'exhausted' reminds me of Jason Schreier's article.
Creative process oftentimes IS very exhausting for brain. I know Bioware has a lot of work to do to with problems they have, but I wouldn't go so far as to interpret every mention of exhaustion, tiredness or depression as work-related or related to conditions at Bioware.
Epler is also a declared introvert, and this is where his comment stems from - and as someone who is deeply introverted I completely understand why he'd feel exhausted after multiple meetings. Last time I've had to take part in organizing and participating in a series of large social gatherings I was so mentally exhausted at the end I've been recovering for *weeks*.
Last Edit: Apr 10, 2019 3:40:30 GMT by midnight tea
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”
It's been tough to even keep up with all talk on Anthem & DA articles (I'm still behind). I've stayed out of it for the most part, but I've given it some thought and I wanted to wade in on a couple things.
Jason is obviously a bit of polarizing figure around here, and I know to some it feels like he's "picking on" BioWare, but I think some are so focused on him the bigger picture is sometimes getting lost.
The Anthem article was heartbreaking, and absolutely necessary. No one else is doing this kind of investigative reports. Everyone who had worked at BioWare who spoke up about the article (and I posted some of those tweets here) reinforced the points raised in it.
Some people didn't like the light he was shining on BioWare. I've seen people try and find any excuse to make this about Jason, to downplay the issues raised (every AAA studio has these issues, why pick on BW?!), and to steer people away from the articles.
My take on this is that we should all want that light shone on the industry, and especially on our favorite studios. If that light can raise awareness, help gain momentum, and push things in a direction that might actually move the leadership at BW (and others) to take action to improve working conditions for the developers, then whatever you think of the author means little next to that.
Now I'm not suggesting that these articles are suddenly going to create sweeping changes at BW and the industry. But think of it like Loot Boxes, it's all about raising awareness, and continuing to raise awareness of these issue until it (hopefully) reaches the same tipping point. Union talk, while on the periphery for a while now, is little louder now. It's about trying to keep moving the ball one yard at a time, continuing to shine the media spotlight on these problems.
With today's article on Dragon Age, I see some people saying Jason has some sort of agenda against BioWare, but when I think about it, I actually think he's done the DA fandom a pretty big favor. By raising the awareness of the plans BW has for the next DA *now*, while they're still figuring out what to even do with the next game, there's no better time to have as many voices as possible out there expressing how they feel about this direction. We have a tendency here to think because we're aware of the "live service" direction they plan on taking DA, that it's "common knowledge". It's not. I guarantee you this will be news to the vast majority of people who read that article. We should be promoting this article, not trying to bury it.
I know the "Doom & Gloom" talk is exhausting to hear, and no one really wants to feed that, but these articles have the potential push things in a positive direction in the long term for the staff at BW, and potentially better games as well.
It's been tough to even keep up with all talk on Anthem & DA articles (I'm still behind). I've stayed out of it for the most part, but I've given it some thought and I wanted to wade in on a couple things.
Jason is obviously a bit of polarizing figure around here, and I know to some it feels like he's "picking on" BioWare, but I think some are so focused on him the bigger picture is sometimes getting lost.
The Anthem article was heartbreaking, and absolutely necessary. No one else is doing this kind of investigative reports. Everyone who had worked at BioWare who spoke up about the article (and I posted some of those tweets here) reinforced the points raised in it.
Some people didn't like the light he was shining on BioWare. I've seen people try and find any excuse to make this about Jason, to downplay the issues raised (every AAA studio has these issues, why pick on BW?!), and to steer people away from the articles.
My take on this is that we should all want that light shone on the industry, and especially on our favorite studios. If that light can raise awareness, help gain momentum, and push things in a direction that might actually move the leadership at BW (and others) to take action to improve working conditions for the developers, then whatever you think of the author means little next to that.
Now I'm not suggesting that these articles are suddenly going to create sweeping changes at BW and the industry. But think of it like Loot Boxes, it's all about raising awareness, and continuing to raise awareness of these issue until it (hopefully) reaches the same tipping point. Union talk, while on the periphery for a while now, is little louder now. It's about trying to keep moving the ball one yard at a time, continuing to shine the media spotlight on these problems.
With today's article on Dragon Age, I see some people saying Jason has some sort of agenda against BioWare, but when I think about it, I actually think he's done the DA fandom a pretty big favor. By raising the awareness of the plans BW has for the next DA *now*, while they're still figuring out what to even do with the next game, there's no better time to have as many voices as possible out there expressing how they feel about this direction. We have a tendency here to think because we're aware of the "live service" direction they plan on taking DA, that it's "common knowledge". It's not. I guarantee you this will be news to the vast majority of people who read that article. We should be promoting this article, not trying to bury it.
I know the "Doom & Gloom" talk is exhausting to hear, and no one really wants to feed that, but these articles have the potential push things in a positive direction in the long term for the staff at BW, and potentially better games as well.
(Deep breath... bracing for the hate replies... )
other than maybe feeling a bit called out by your commentary there is no hate.
So I'm going to say while i haven't changed my mind on him i do wonder if i haven't been a little (emphasis on little) hard on him. The DA article was exactly what it should've been at this stage, speculative, non informative, and also little to no antagonism towards bioware. He's speculating little more.
So it seems that the forum has naturally taken his response, his speculation and treating it as established fact.
Patreon (for my writing, posting chapters of my novel)
Graham Scott biomasika I like to start all meetings by outlining my premise on the white board... in permanent ink.
Derek Hollan @derek_Hollan Bring a nail and scratch it in the surface for subsequent meetings.
Graham Scott biomasika I will say that the permanence left something to be desired. Though I now know why there is a container of wet wipes nearby every board.
Jos Hendriks @sjosz They can't change the subject if the subject can't be erased.
John Epler @eplerjc I am very glad you realized it as soon as you did, I would've covered the entire thing and then had a very bad time.
Last Edit: Apr 10, 2019 3:46:50 GMT by midnight tea
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”
other than maybe feeling a bit called out by your commentary there is no hate.
So I'm going to say while i haven't changed my mind on him i do wonder if i haven't been a little (emphasis on little) hard on him. The DA article was exactly what it should've been at this stage, speculative, non informative, and also little to no antagonism towards bioware. He's speculating little more.
So it seems that the forum has naturally taken his response, his speculation and treating it as established fact.
I was just about to drone on about blaming CSI:BSN... and how we like to fixate on a single brush stroke... and not the whole pa... I was THIS CLOSE to Bob Rossing this reply!
Damn. I need a Snickers or something.
But no call outs Colfoley, just things that have been on my mind. I debated between posting this here or doing some annoying 20-part Tweetfest.
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
other than maybe feeling a bit called out by your commentary there is no hate.
So I'm going to say while i haven't changed my mind on him i do wonder if i haven't been a little (emphasis on little) hard on him. The DA article was exactly what it should've been at this stage, speculative, non informative, and also little to no antagonism towards bioware. He's speculating little more.
So it seems that the forum has naturally taken his response, his speculation and treating it as established fact.
Truth be told that is nothing new here. Some do seem to enjoy making tempests in teacups.
About the article yeah raising awareness about the issues on Bioware is the obvious outcome and likely a good thing to put pressure for better work conditions on Bioware and maybe the gaming industry. Still i am not so sure Jason doesn't have a bone to pick with Bioware...
By raising the awareness of the plans BW has for the next DA *now*, while they're still figuring out what to even do with the next game, there's no better time to have as many voices as possible out there expressing how they feel about this direction.
And in an odd way, we can thank Anthem for this.
I know it seems like Anthem is the thing that killed DA, ME, Bioware, etc., but the investigation of what went wrong with Anthem lead to the larger examination of leadership and working conditions at Bioware (and every other software development company), and those are the things that will have the most impact on the future of DA. And, for the record, it's not Anthem that killed ME and DA, it's the tone-deaf, we know best, work in a bubble of denial leadership that killed ME and DA. I'm includin both EA execs and Bioware studio execs in this condemnation.
What has been made painfully, excruciatingly clear to me, finally penetrating my own layers of denial (I cringe at some of my earlier Anthem posts -- I put a lot of trust in the promises they were making), is that the Bioware of today is not anything like the Bioware of DAO and ME2. While I don't exactly mourn the old Bioware the way some people do -- this is not the first time a studio has waxed and waned and disappointed me (I'm looking at you, Bethesda) -- I don't have much hope in what the future will bring. I don't hold a grudge, future Bioware may surprise me and put something out that's good and that I'll gladly enjoy, but I think it's extremely unlikely that DA4 will meet, let alone beat, its franchise personal best of Trespasser. That's the sad conclusion of all these tell-alls. Even if every single veteran that made previous games great was still on board, it's clear that the leadership problem isn't going to get fixed any time soon, and unless and until it does, Bioware is going to continue to MEA and Anthem.
Inquisitor: Is that innuendo? Sera: No, it's at the front!
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition, Dragon Age The Veilguard
By raising the awareness of the plans BW has for the next DA *now*, while they're still figuring out what to even do with the next game, there's no better time to have as many voices as possible out there expressing how they feel about this direction.
I think it’s probably a bit late for that, it’s actually something I think Jason has misrepresented in the article. All of the things he describes, especially the comments from developers he’s spoken too, sound as if they were given right when the reboot happened or that they don’t have any insight into what the Morrison team has been doing for the past 18 months, which would make sense since none of them seem to have been on that team.
Even down to a small team of designers, they have had ample time to hammer out their concepts and I doubt they would have had that DA4 teaser otherwise.
By raising the awareness of the plans BW has for the next DA *now*, while they're still figuring out what to even do with the next game, there's no better time to have as many voices as possible out there expressing how they feel about this direction.
And in an odd way, we can thank Anthem for this.
I know it seems like Anthem is the thing that killed DA, ME, Bioware, etc., but the investigation of what went wrong with Anthem lead to the larger examination of leadership and working conditions at Bioware (and every other software development company), and those are the things that will have the most impact on the future of DA. And, for the record, it's not Anthem that killed ME and DA, it's the tone-deaf, we know best, work in a bubble of denial leadership that killed ME and DA. I'm includin both EA execs and Bioware studio execs in this condemnation.
What has been made painfully, excruciatingly clear to me, finally penetrating my own layers of denial (I cringe at some of my earlier Anthem posts -- I put a lot of trust in the promises they were making), is that the Bioware of today is not anything like the Bioware of DAO and ME2. While I don't exactly mourn the old Bioware the way some people do -- this is not the first time a studio has waxed and waned and disappointed me (I'm looking at you, Bethesda) -- I don't have much hope in what the future will bring. I don't hold a grudge, future Bioware may surprise me and put something out that's good and that I'll gladly enjoy, but I think it's extremely unlikely that DA4 will meet, let alone beat, its franchise personal best of Trespasser. That's the sad conclusion of all these tell-alls. Even if every single veteran that made previous games great was still on board, it's clear that the leadership problem isn't going to get fixed any time soon, and unless and until it does, Bioware is going to continue to MEA and Anthem.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition Posts: 1,077 Likes: 3,055
By raising the awareness of the plans BW has for the next DA *now*, while they're still figuring out what to even do with the next game, there's no better time to have as many voices as possible out there expressing how they feel about this direction.
I think it’s probably a bit late for that, it’s actually something I think Jason has misrepresented in the article. All of the things he describes, especially the comments from developers he’s spoken too, sound as if they were given right when the reboot happened or that they don’t have any insight into what the Morrison team has been doing for the past 18 months, which would make sense since none of them seem to have been on that team.
Even down to a small team of designers, they have had ample time to hammer out their concepts and I doubt they would have had that DA4 teaser otherwise.
I am noticing the sly among us...
Anticipated games: Mass Effect 5, Warframe 1999, XCOM 3, Exodus, Witcher 4 & Remake, Doom: The Dark Ages, Cyberpunk 2, Fable, Grime II, Perfect Dark, STALKER 2, Death Stranding 2, Avowed, Titan Quest 2, Control 2, Slay the Spire 2, Wolverine, Subnautica 2, The Alters, Metroid Prime 4, Soulframe, AC Shadows & Hexe, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Pokemon Legends Z-A, Atomfall, Project 007, Gears of War: E-Day, Clockwork Revolution, Blade, Humanoid Origin game
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition, Dragon Age The Veilguard Posts: 2,672 Likes: 6,582
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition, Dragon Age The Veilguard
By raising the awareness of the plans BW has for the next DA *now*, while they're still figuring out what to even do with the next game, there's no better time to have as many voices as possible out there expressing how they feel about this direction.
And in an odd way, we can thank Anthem for this.
I know it seems like Anthem is the thing that killed DA, ME, Bioware, etc., but the investigation of what went wrong with Anthem lead to the larger examination of leadership and working conditions at Bioware (and every other software development company), and those are the things that will have the most impact on the future of DA. And, for the record, it's not Anthem that killed ME and DA, it's the tone-deaf, we know best, work in a bubble of denial leadership that killed ME and DA. I'm includin both EA execs and Bioware studio execs in this condemnation.
What has been made painfully, excruciatingly clear to me, finally penetrating my own layers of denial (I cringe at some of my earlier Anthem posts -- I put a lot of trust in the promises they were making), is that the Bioware of today is not anything like the Bioware of DAO and ME2. While I don't exactly mourn the old Bioware the way some people do -- this is not the first time a studio has waxed and waned and disappointed me (I'm looking at you, Bethesda) -- I don't have much hope in what the future will bring. I don't hold a grudge, future Bioware may surprise me and put something out that's good and that I'll gladly enjoy, but I think it's extremely unlikely that DA4 will meet, let alone beat, its franchise personal best of Trespasser. That's the sad conclusion of all these tell-alls. Even if every single veteran that made previous games great was still on board, it's clear that the leadership problem isn't going to get fixed any time soon, and unless and until it does, Bioware is going to continue to MEA and Anthem.
why does everything have to be a compeition? Why do they have to 'best' Tresspasser? They can still make a pretty great game that is loads of fun and interesting to play. Hell MEA wasn't as good as ME 2 but it was still well worth what i paid for it and gave me a lot of hope for the future.
Patreon (for my writing, posting chapters of my novel)
I am Lord Achim Falk of Starkhaven. I have faith in the Maker and Andraste, his beloved prophet, that I must bring this matter of urgent business to you. Years ago, I served the office of Seneschal to the royal family of Starkhaven. Sadly, they have been deposed, ousted by a foul usurper. I represent His Royal Highness, Prince Corbinian Vael, the true heir to the throne, and with your help, Maker willing, we will see him wear the crown of Starkhaven once more.
His Highness had a fortune of eleven thousand sovereigns locked away in the vaults of the Royal Bank of Antiva. With access to this fortune, he can raise an army to retake the throne, but it is too dangerous for His Highness to simply withdraw the funds himself. This is where we require your assistance and discretion.
Simply send me the details of an open bank account in Kirkwall, and I will arrange that the funds are transferred to you. My King will then contact you to retrieve his fortune, leaving you with a hefty award. I must warn you, the Antivans will not consider the account viable if it contains less than 100 sovereigns. Please observe the utmost confidentiality.
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
I think it’s probably a bit late for that, it’s actually something I think Jason has misrepresented in the article. All of the things he describes, especially the comments from developers he’s spoken too, sound as if they were given right when the reboot happened or that they don’t have any insight into what the Morrison team has been doing for the past 18 months, which would make sense since none of them seem to have been on that team.
Even down to a small team of designers, they have had ample time to hammer out their concepts and I doubt they would have had that DA4 teaser otherwise.
I am noticing the sly among us...
I wish I could see through his eyes. Let me transfer my soul into your body Luke! I MUST SEE WHAT TRUTH LIES WITHIN THE CODE!!!
- both are huge, well-remembered and iconic, both performed at the same time, within same genres... both died around the same time. Gotta wonder about the significance for the choice of codenames.
)
among us...
