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View Full Version : Bioware Forms New Studio for ME2

Virtuoso
03-02-2009, 11:56 AM
Apparently the Bioware has its plate quite full at the moment, and is enlisting some help (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=22530).

BioWare is forming a new studio group within Electronic Arts Montreal, hiring 30 new staffers to support the team developing Mass Effect 2 in Edmonton.

"Our new presence... will be located within the existing EA Montreal facilities," BioWare co-founder Ray Muzyka tells Gamasutra today. "It's great that we have a strong foundation to build out of."

The company will be hiring artists, animators, designers and other positions to join the team working on Mass Effect 2.

Its good to hear that some studios are still able to expand in this economy.
Reanimated
03-02-2009, 12:19 PM
What the fuck? Shouldn't this game be a lot closer to being done?
Grumsh
03-02-2009, 12:30 PM
What the fuck? Shouldn't this game be a lot closer to being done?

This game probably is further along than this announcement implies. Remeber there is a lot that goes into making a good game, an engine and story being the most time consuming. Both of which are I assure you are almost done, and done respectively.

So I think it is safe to assume we will see Mass Effect 2, I would wager around mid-November, unless MS needs to counter a Sony move real quick. Then I would say November still because Bio-ware is smart enough to tell MS to P!$$ off and not rush their game.

I would say major delays are bug testing the new engine tweaks, new art assets, and recording all the dialog.
balamoor
03-02-2009, 12:44 PM
What the fuck? Shouldn't this game be a lot closer to being done?

It's just the nature of the biz guy...case in point Cryptic formed a new studio last year to begin work on the new D&D Online game that hasn't even been announced yet, you won't hear this till next spring, doesn’t make it any less real, ;)
Grumsh
03-02-2009, 12:56 PM
It's just the nature of the biz guy...case in point Cryptic formed a new studio last year to begin work on the new D&D Online game that hasn't even been announced yet, you won't hear this till next spring, doesn’t make it any less real, ;)

New D&D Online? So not an upgrade to the current game or an expansion.. but a NEW one? Enquiring minds need to know! (since wife and I are bored of EQ2 and ALMOST about to buy this or LOTR:online)
Wyrm
03-02-2009, 01:15 PM
Please don't let it be like KOTOR II was to KOTOR.

The second one was good, but the first was superior.

Improve on the design. Let us fly the ship a little. Make the planet exploration matter. Make the combat feel more fluid. Oh, and the load times. Christ, the load times.
Virtuoso
03-02-2009, 01:16 PM
Please don't let it be like KOTOR II was to KOTOR.

The second one was good, but the first was superior.

Improve on the design. Let us fly the ship a little. Make the planet exploration matter. Make the combat feel more fluid. Oh, and the load times. Christ, the load times.

You didn't like the 15 minute elevator rides?
kwolf
03-02-2009, 02:10 PM
When I saw the credits for the first one, I was shocked at the number of people that were involved from both BioWare and MS. This does not surprise me in the least.
AspectVoid
03-02-2009, 03:08 PM
Please don't let it be like KOTOR II was to KOTOR.

The second one was good, but the first was superior.



That's probably because Bioware didn't make KotoR 2. It was developed by Obsidian. Plus, the 13 month development time that LucasArts gave them caused a lot of stuff that Obsidian wanted to do to be cut.

I am completely confident in Mass Effect 2. The last game of Bioware's that they actually developed a sequel for was Baldur's Gate, and BG2 is one of the best RPGs ever made. I have no doubt that ME2 will get the same treatment.
HeartbreakRidge
03-02-2009, 03:36 PM
So I think it is safe to assume we will see Mass Effect 2, I would wager around mid-November, unless MS needs to counter a Sony move real quick. Then I would say November still because Bio-ware is smart enough to tell MS to P!$$ off and not rush their game.

Could be, but we still have the 2nd/final bit of ME DLC to drop, which I'm guessing won't be until Fall at least. If that's so, then ME2 has to be a few months later, wouldn't you say? I'll be surprised if we see ME2 before 2010. (pleasantly, but still surprised!)
Wyrm
03-02-2009, 03:37 PM
That's probably because Bioware didn't make KotoR 2. It was developed by Obsidian. Plus, the 13 month development time that LucasArts gave them caused a lot of stuff that Obsidian wanted to do to be cut.

I am completely confident in Mass Effect 2. The last game of Bioware's that they actually developed a sequel for was Baldur's Gate, and BG2 is one of the best RPGs ever made. I have no doubt that ME2 will get the same treatment.

I know that. My point was, it doesn't look like it is being developed by the same people who developed the first one, which is why I was concerned.
Wyrm
03-02-2009, 03:37 PM
You didn't like the 15 minute elevator rides?

Actually, I made a drinking game out of it. Whenever the game loaded, I would see how many beers I could drink. Sometimes, it was a few.
Derella
03-03-2009, 12:29 AM
I know that. My point was, it doesn't look like it is being developed by the same people who developed the first one, which is why I was concerned.
I doubt it will be a problem. This new studio doesn't sound like they are actually making the game... They are supporting the development, which probably means producing art assets and such. The actual body of the design will still be handled by Bioware.

That's just a guess based on their wording, though.
Grumsh
03-04-2009, 07:21 PM
Could be, but we still have the 2nd/final bit of ME DLC to drop, which I'm guessing won't be until Fall at least. If that's so, then ME2 has to be a few months later, wouldn't you say? I'll be surprised if we see ME2 before 2010. (pleasantly, but still surprised!)

I am hoping the ME downloadable content will hit early summertime, allowing Mass Effect 2 to hit very late this year to make the holiday rush.

Reason I have this logic is that I can conceivably see MS releasing a street date for the xbox 720 E3 2011. If Mass Effect 2 gets delayed until 2010, then I can see the final chapter not coming out until 2011.

Granted I know Bio-ware won't rush a game bcause MS tells them too, but I can see them making sure production/release dates match financially sound release dates. Honeslty I do not see part 3 releasing at the same time the announcement of a new console comes out being very sound.

Again this is all guesswork and guesstimation on my part, and maybe just a little wishful thinking. Oh and don't forget MS boasted they have some "Good exclusives" in the works later this year.. too me it is all adding up.