BioWare to move away from sci-fi/fantasy?

By Fred Dutton Published 19 May, 2011

Zeschuk: "It's something we discuss a lot."

BioWare is considering moving away from its traditional sci-fi and fantasy roots and dipping its toes in more realistic waters, according to found Greg Zeschuk.

Speaking in an interview with Gamasutra, Zeschuk explained that it was a topic that regularly came up for discussion as a way to broaden the appeal of its games.

"As we look forward, that's something we consider more and more," he said. "It's interesting, I think. Initially, I remember, the debates were kind of entertaining. I think our context initially was from a very traditional RPG perspective.

"So, think of the discussion 10 years ago. Okay, [compare] Baldur's Gate to current day... You look to where both Dragon Age II and Mass Effect 2 and then 3 have evolved to, and it's very, very different.

"You can imagine the cop drama set in the Mass Effect sort of framework. You can imagine a spy adventure in that context. I think actually that what's happened is our ability to conceive and understand different game contexts has evolved. Then that starts opening up new platforms into things that are maybe less traditional than we have historically [done].

"We're not confirming anything today, but it's something we discuss a lot, because one of the things we want to do is really try and broaden our appeal, broaden our reach, sell more units, get more fans."

BioWare's last release was fantasy RPG Dragon Age II in March, while sci-fi dominates its current development slate with Mass Effect 3 and MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic.

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About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (66) Latest comment 1 year ago

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  • Lexx87 #1 1 year ago

    Well try not to fuck up Mass Effect 3 for a start with this "more mainstream" bollocks and i'll be happy whatever you do.

  • Kaminari #2 1 year ago

    Hentai games, please.

  • Markusdragon #3 1 year ago

    So no Jade Empire any time soon then? Shame.

  • Collymilad #4 1 year ago

    Eurgh no.

    We have enough realistic games already. I've been getting slightly bored with gaming recently and I finally realised what it is: Playing game isn't escapism as it's just like stuff you see on TV/News.

    Please don't go to making boring shit like 90% of devs are doing these days.

  • GiarcYekrub #5 1 year ago

    Dragon age 2 was a massive disappointment they are on a warning as far as im concerned

  • Zeliard #6 1 year ago

    Okay, [compare] Baldur's Gate to current day... You look to where both Dragon Age II and Mass Effect 2 and then 3 have evolved to, and it's very, very different.

    "Evolved to," he says. Comedy.

  • Hunam #7 1 year ago

    The more they try to access the bigger mass market, the more any need for them to exist over any other developer ceases. They were the crown kings of the RPG genre, a title they seem to loathe.

  • LHH #8 1 year ago

    Mass of Duty : ModernAge

  • AnsemsApprentice #9 1 year ago

    Yeah, evolved sort of suggests they've gotten more complex -- which is total bullshit. From Origins to DA2 was actually a massive step down, in my opinion.

    "Broaden our appeal."

    "System, shutting down. . .you monster."

    Edited by AnsemsApprentice at 19/05/11 @ 22:47

  • _Price_ #10 1 year ago

    I'd be surprised if they didn't try and make a FPS based in the Mass Effect universe. Not exactly a deviation in genre but it's certainly the way the series is (unfortunately) heading in terms of 'evolving' its mechanics.

    Although if they ever made KotOR III (properly) all would be forgiven, obviously.

  • Arsecake_Baker #11 1 year ago

    Here's a tip Bioware,

    Take a step backwards, make your games more complicated and less moronic and watch the money come rolling in!

  • WhiteWolf95 #12 1 year ago

    Depends what kind of realistic games. If itīs like Heavy Rain or LA Noire, than yes please (Imagine Bioware doing Heavy Rain lol), but if they are going for CoD/Splinter Cell/Random 3rd Person Shooter set in 2011 than NO!

  • BlinkeredAxis #13 1 year ago

    How about a Bioware version of Super Meat Boy? It lacked dialogue choices.

  • uknortherner2000 #14 1 year ago

    BioWare still around? Sorry, I've been too busy playing a real RPG (Witcher 2). Puts BioWare's watered down shit to shame.

  • The-Bodybuilder #15 1 year ago

    Fair enough, I'm not gonna overreact like how most gamers do at the sign of any change, I can see why you would want to explore that (though I doubt any "dark and gritty" realistic setting will ever allow for the scope of epicness like Mass Effect).

    I'm no fan of "middle-earth" type fantasy, but remember the first stories civilizations wrote were fantasy and myth. Mankind yearns for imagination, for the sole reason to escape reality. If all games constantly become realistic, then gaming, no matter the story, will just become as dull as real life.

    I think devs need to stop seeing games as less of movies, but more like a visual representation of books.

  • coomber #16 1 year ago

    Team up with Obsidian and make Alpha Protocol 2! You know it makes sense!

  • apoc_reg #17 1 year ago

    Well they already moved away from RPG so wouldn't exactly be surprised!

  • mandella #18 1 year ago

    Three key words. SELL. MORE. UNITS.

  • Redsonny #19 1 year ago

    I just hope Mass Effect 3 is not Gears of War in space, but then again they have a good template in Mass Effect 2. Rockstar developed GTA4 and then developed RDR which is a far superior game in every way, without having to start from scratch. So broadening your horizons is fine and can be rewarding as long as you don't forget your principles. I really hope Bioware take a step back to look where they are going.

  • GozuTennai #20 1 year ago

    So games like everyone else now, except with awkward crap animation.

  • igirox #21 1 year ago

    I see EA's influence here. These boys now only want mass appeal by making Facebook grade games to earn more Ģ. That only leaves their loyal fans bitter and metacritic scores of their new releases low. I really hate the industry these days. It is time to go indie or change the hobby.

  • jimr9999us #22 1 year ago

    "sell more units"

    spoken like true artists.


    -sigh-

  • Daikon #23 1 year ago

    They can do what they want, but I won't be blindly pre-ordering their games any more, not even Mass Effect 3.

  • Psihomodo #24 1 year ago

    Yeah, way to put a nail in the coff... company :)

  • FeralYouth #25 1 year ago

    "We're not confirming anything today, but it's something we discuss a lot, because one of the things we want to do is really try and broaden our appeal, broaden our reach, sell more units, get more fans."

    Giving yourselves a negative reputation seems to be a bad way of going about things.

    No one really likes the guy who wants to become popular.

    Bioware are like the David (Call me Dave) Cameron of gaming. Trying to please everyone and ultimately pleasing no one.

    Broadening appeal = Less interesting, less creative, soulless products, and greedy.

    Considering how dull the average person is (just read facebook for proof) that will probably sell them more units.


  • Sunyavadin #26 1 year ago

    "
    Bioware are like the David (Call me Dave) Cameron of gaming. Trying to please everyone and ultimately pleasing no one.     "

    No, Cameron would be more like Tim "oh shit, where did all my trademarks go?" Langdell in his heyday. Trying to please HIMSELF, by shafting everyone else.

  • The-Jack-Burton #27 1 year ago

    Keep the Mass Effect Universe alive please, you can tell any story you want with any character.

    But you may want to rethink Dragon Age, that last outing was unimaginative and uninspired.

  • stryker1121 #28 1 year ago

    Wow look at the buzzwords fly...i see the words "broader appeal" translated to the same multiplayer that everyone else is doing. That's no kind of progress in my eyes.

  • timberwolf #29 1 year ago

    EA f**ked Valve up and now their f**king Bioware.

  • Cosmitzian #30 1 year ago

    Sell more units.


    Nothing about about thinking it, all bad about saying it out loud.

  • ruddiger7 #31 1 year ago

    And dont make the character have a whole team that wants his penis. Seriously when i was playing dragon age all the guys wanted to rape my main.

  • anomagnus #32 1 year ago

    I know it'll come as a shock to the whining bunch of prissy moaners on this thread, but you are, in fact, in the minority. Oh, i know it must GALL you, that the great unwashed are playing your games, your precious RPGs of old, but tough shit.

    I could go through most of the pathetic, completely emotional responses in the last 33 posts, but why bother. ME3 will likely sell bucket,s i'll enjoy the shit out of it, and you crusty, beardy fucks can sit around talking about the good old days of RPGs, where only you real gamers could play them.

  • The-Bodybuilder #33 1 year ago

    >"It would sell well because they are so rare these days."

    Logic Fail? O_o

  • freethinker101 #34 1 year ago

    Didn't Bioware try a their hand at the spy game and spaz it up massively????

  • freethinker101 #35 1 year ago

    Didn't Bioware try a their hand at the spy game and spaz it up massively????

  • freethinker101 #36 1 year ago

    Didn't Bioware try a their hand at the spy game and spaz it up massively????

  • Markusdragon #37 1 year ago

    @freethinker101
    No, that was Criterion, although you could be forgiven for thinking that it was Bioware because Criterion were still going through their 'we make bioware-alikes' phase.

  • kenichi-san #38 1 year ago

    - broaden our appeal = justified
    - broaden our reach = justified
    - sell more units = unwarranted....
    - get more fans = justified

  • Shinetop #39 1 year ago

    Yes please.

  • Gunship #40 1 year ago

    Yes BioWare, what I want most when I return from the office ... is an RPG that simulates working in an office. Assuming you'll still be pretending to make RPGs by then, that is.

    Why does this company try so hard to abandon its strong suits? Didn't ME and DAO sell brilliantly? Hope the employees see that doctors are losing it (or EA's "vision" is poison), and start something up on their own.

  • haecceitas #41 1 year ago

    @anomagnus:

    No matter how much you like Bioware's current games, you can't escape from the fact that game developers who ask themselves: "what can we do to maximize profit?" will never make as interesting games as those who ask themselves: "what kind of game would we love to do?". That applies to other areas such as movies, litterature, art and music too.

    It never hurts to branch out and try new ground, but when the cause of this isn't creativity, it's mostly a dead end.
    That said, I don't think Bioware's current outings are that terrible.
    Edited by haecceitas at 20/05/11 @ 09:11

  • dupplawt #42 1 year ago

    Battlemass: Black Dragon

  • Stuz359 #43 1 year ago

    Sounds great if they do it right.

    I mean, imagine if they did a politically motivated thriller, or even something akin to a season of 24 all within the style of Mass Effect, could be on to a winner. As long as it is done right.

  • Goodfella #44 1 year ago

    Meh, who cares what these has-beens say.

    *goes back to Witcher 2*

  • Seoh #45 1 year ago

    So Bioware are gonna make Alpha protocol 2 then?

  • Inmediasress #46 1 year ago

    @Arsecake_Baker
    The problem is that people bought DA2 like candy.
    They don't think they need to make it more complex and obviously they didn't even aim for Origins wonder sales considering that was well tought out game on the other hand DA2 was just a 6 month developed rushed product.

    I wouldn't even be surprised if they made mass effect 3 somehow more mainstream. The problem is that almost all of the Bioware games sell only around 2-2.5 mill copies and they try to chase the mass market for more sales but the way they do it whenever they get new fans the old ones leave so basically they don't achieve anything.

    You see that's why for example TOR will sink like the titanic, it has good concept but by making it an SP game and then taking on an MMO aspect they try to get both the SP and MMO crowd but in the end probably will get neither. Tough I'm sure it will have initiall success.

    Oh and by the way DA2 has pretty much splintered Biowares fan base I believe it will influence even ME3 sales although not much people will by it even if it gets shit just to see what happens in the end but I don't predict much future for DA3.
    Edited by Inmediasress at 20/05/11 @ 08:51

  • dacicus #47 1 year ago

    Didn't Obsidian tried to market a spy RPG and failed?! Sure, Sega didn't made Obsidian's lives easy and didn't support/market the game as they should have. But it's hard to imagine Bioware doing a modern days RPG.

    We already know that before Bioware being bought by EA, Jade Empire 2 was in the works and canned right after the takeover. Google for that info and you will find it. What we see now it's EA's decisions to frag up a well known brand, something that EA did before with so many other loved studios (Westwood, Origin, Bullfrog, just to name the biggest).

    So Bioware will be forced to make clones of the same game over and over again with only a graphic update and slight changes in the story.

    And really, why do we need gay romances?! Sure, those are covering a certain demographic, but why the straight guys/girls don't have the option to disable those? DA2 was ....well, very fragged up from that point of view. Almost made me wish there was no romance option at all. And they will repeat that in ME3...

  • anomagnus #48 1 year ago

    @dacicus

    Alpha Protocal was actually a pretty good game. It lacked a LOT of polish, and the first few missions were pretty grim, but if you stuck with it, and ignored the sometimes wonky combat, it actually was quite good. With more polish, a bit more cash, that game could have done really well.

    Don't forget, as well as Alpha Protocol, Funcom are making the Secret World, a MMORPG set in the 'real' world. I think it sounds quite cool.

    Of course, since this is being made by bioware, many people on the eg site have already made their mind up that Bioware can't make a game that is good. Far be it from me to challenge the mighty opinion of hardcore rpg fans. Snort.

  • uknortherner2000 #49 1 year ago

    @anomagnus

    My dislike of BioWare goes far beyond their shitty, watered-down products. It is their attitude towards their paying customers (banning any complaints/dissent in their official forums and locking people out of their games - remember the Mass Effect 1 PC fiasco and SecuROM?)), their injection of microtransactions into full-price games (like that NPC in DA1) and their general preponderance to toeing the EA line no matter now much it wrecks their relationship between themselves and their customers.

    BioWare are not the fan-friendly company they once were. They are little more than an EA product now, churning out microtransactions-based sequels to weak franchises and expecting their customers to put up with poor service and even poorer games.

  • Whitster #50 1 year ago

    I'm a fairly big RPG fan and I've really enjoyed DA2 so far. I prefer the plot to the stale LoR take that the first game had.

  • beastmaster #51 1 year ago

    Why don't they pick up David Braben's Outsider which recently got canned? Perhaps they could do something with that?

  • dacicus #52 1 year ago

    @anomagnus

    Don't get me wrong: I thoroughly enjoyed Alpha Protocol. Played it several times with different builds and premade characters. I just doubt that Bioware can do something similar. In AP your every decision was affecting the story. Not in an instant, but later on. And you knew exactly what went south when you were seeing the consequences of your actions.

    Neither ME2 or DA2 was near that. Hell, neither DA: O was near that. Or any Bioware game. Because when it comes to choices and consequences you think Fallout 1+2, Planescape, The Witcher or AP. None of those games were made by Bioware.

    Bioware lost many of its veterans after the development ended for DAO. Lots of the old stuff moved, unhappy with the EA new management. So, now, they are campaigning for new hires. Rookies are cheap and eager to be given a chance. But you can't make masterpieces with rookies. Nor have fresh, interesting ideas (sure there are some exceptions, but those are just reinforcing the rule). What rookies have plenty it's enthusiasm. But for a masterpiece you need a good mix of veterans and rookies. Which Bioware doesn't have anymore....

    We already know that Obsidian is now the last big independent RPG maker. We know that besides Dungeon Siege 3 they have two other undisclosed projects in the works. And due to AP we know that they can bring RPG to less beaten paths. If Obsidian could insure a certain financial independance, the former Black Isle employees would bring some interesting stuff on the table.

    But for some reason, everyone seems to ignore the Obsidian's past and revere Bioware (which did some of the best conventional fantasy RPG, but nothing close to titles like the original Fallouts and Planescape)....

    Loved both Bioware and BlackIsle/Obsidian, but today I'm very sad seeing Bioware as just one of the EA's companies (soon to be just another brand).

  • Inmediasress #53 1 year ago

    @twinberettas

    It's not that I don't want to have gay relationships in the game they can have it for all I care but more importantly in DA2 the whole relationship thing was pretty sad be it straight or gay.

  • hiddenranbir #54 1 year ago

    Good, cause you're rubbish at it.

  • HL706 #55 1 year ago

    It's not that I don't want to have gay relationships in the game they can have it for all I care but more importantly in DA2 the whole relationship thing was pretty sad be it straight or gay.

    Agreed, every conversation was an awkward and clumsy 'flirt' regardless of who you were talking to. It might not have been so bad if the characters themselves were likeable or had some real depth - but that's another moan altogether!

  • sega #56 1 year ago

    It does seem pretty much every game has some sort of sci-fi or supernatural theme so I like the idea that games developers are exploring new ideas (they still need serious help with regards to writers, though). However I think science fiction games are popular for a reason - you need gameplay and science fiction has a lot of guns and technology that aide with that. What I'd rather BioWare did was create a concept for a game then fit the story and scenario around that - if it only works with sci-fi then so be it. It's pointless to say you want to do a real world game if there's no game idea behind it all first.

    Hopefully they do have a great game idea behind it all, but games arn't films - you shouldn't be writing scripts and turning them into a game. We should have freedom in games, they don't need to be linear - different decisions should change the outcome and actions should have concequences.

  • Kikizosan #57 1 year ago

    "Team up with Obsidian and make Alpha Protocol 2! You know it makes sense!"

    Bioware doing a sequel to an Obsidian game - that'd make for an interesting change. And I'd be all for Alpha Protocol 2. Even a spiritual successor would be nice.

  • Kikizosan #58 1 year ago

    Or they could do an RPG about an androgynous, amnesiac, spiky-haired, massive-sword-wielding person saving the world. That's new and modern, right?

  • Caimbeul #59 1 year ago

    Dont do it!!

  • Ranger101 #60 1 year ago

    Victorian Steam Punk Adventure.

    DO. IT. NOW. BIOWARE.

    NOW.

  • Raiftel #61 1 year ago

    I know that everyone hates BioWare now, but it seems like people are being fairly blind to the fact that Obsidian despite being great writers are pretty shitty videogame developers. Alpha Protocol and New Vegas were both games I muddled through due to the their character work and despite their shitty or buggy mechanics.

    Then again I still think people were far too hard on Dragon Age 2. I get why people were disappointed, but the weird campaign against the game always seemed to be a little overblown to me. Dragon Age 2 and Mass Effect 2 are kind of fascinating to me because they both walk the razors edge between old 'obstructive' RPG mechanics and steamlined 'mass appeal' mechanics.

  • immateriaux #62 1 year ago

    Having turned their back on doing RPG games, they might as well move away from the fantasy stuff really. The final step is to change their name to "bibware" to suit the pap they produce now.

  • Raiftel #63 1 year ago

    Whilst I'm on a neg-rep role, whilst I'm enjoying The Witcher 2 (from the few hours I've had with the game) I am struck by how essentially it's the exact same game as The Witcher 1. But with nicer graphics and a different storyline, it seems to me that Western RPG fans essentially crave the same experience over and over, which might be why diversions from that experience are treat with such scorn. As it stands now I can't help but see the Witcher 2 as the Modern Warfare to Witcher 1's COD4.

  • Inmediasress #64 1 year ago

    @Ranger101

    Now that would be nice something along the lines of Arcanum but then again not in the shoes of DA2

  • 32768Colours #65 1 year ago

    I take it this means they won't be teaming up with Treasure to make an Alien Soldier action RPG like I'd always hoped!

    I'll just have to wait for Telltale to put Captain Birdseye in Monkey Island instead; something else I've yearned for ever since reading this article and trying to think of something daft to post ;)

    Negged for just being a bit silly? Blimey, lighten up!
    Edited by 32768Colours at 22/05/11 @ 00:34

  • menage #66 1 year ago

    Ugh, realism, I already have a life.