EA "couldn't be happier" with Bioware

Examiner: During a recent conference call for the fiscal period that just passed, Frank D. Gibeau (President of EA Games Label) showered nothing but praises for the RPG developer.

[RememberThe357]

They even have the respect of their owners. I can't wait to get my hands on both Dragon Age and Mass Effect 2.

[Lifendz]

and I know Mass Effect 2 will be that ish. Hard to be upset with Bioware. great purchase by EA. Now give me a Road Rash made by Criteron games.

[mastiffchild]

Indeed. I'm also sure EA are happy with Bioware's efforrt in dev'ing for the PS3. Will they also be as happy with Valve when it comes to the possibility of a PS3 version of Episode3, though? With versions of pretty much every HL episode on Sony platforms and Gabe's dislike for The Orange Box's port to PS3 I can see a little bit of an issue over that one! Lets hope it isn't a big stumbling block or even turns out to be what's holding it up already. It might make a litle sense of Valves continual bashing of the system AND it's gamers if that was the case and Valve didn't like the pressure coming from EA to make it so, no?

You know, maybe making DA truly multi was a sop to EA so that B/W didn't HAVE to make ME2 for PS3 right now, who knows? Thing is these relationships are complex and we are party to very few truths but EA being EA and liking money the way they do and also knowing what can be made from PS3 I can imagine how heated things could get with this kind of thing and it might be what's behind all the rumours we get about ME/PS3 and L4D2 PS3. Don't attack me as I'm just trying to link the tiny bits of info we get and make some sense of them all!

Anyway, I can see exactly why they're happy with Bioware about now.

[skeletonss]

Time to wake up from your dream mastiff.

[slayorofgods]

EA has a strong desire to make ALL their games multi platform. In the minds of EA executives supporting just one console is an old way of doing business. Bioware has been very positive about transitioning from being xbox exclusive developer to becoming a multi platform developer.

If you compare Bioware's attitude versus Valve's attitude you'd see that Bioware is a much more progressive unit.

[raztad]

I'm a PS3 only owner but I have a decent PC. I got ME and I can say game is pretty, pretty good. Good story, excellent combat and visuals are good enough. I understand why it got so much praise from xbox owners.

Bioware is an oustanding RPG producer, I'm glad thay are making PS3 games now. I'll get Dragon Age as soon as I'd finished with Demons Souls and Mass Effect.

@Feral bellow

I really doubt someone is realistically expecting a PS3 exclusive from BioWare.

[Feral Gamer]

Unfortunately, because EA now owns Bioware, if Bioware chose to make a PS3 exclusive RPG taking full advantage of the system, EA would probably want it to appear on 360 also. It's a double-edged sword and the reason I wish Bioware had stayed independent.

[Xi]

EA doesn't own Valve, EA is only their publisher, just like how id prior to being purchased by Bethesda used EA as a publisher, and why rage will also be published by EA.

Valve doesn't develop on the ps3 because the studio doesn't have the resources to develop a product good-enough to meet their expectations. They also don't want a repeat of the orange box fiasco, so until they have a team dedicated to the ps3 they wont develop for it.

Bioware is an awesome company, I hope to get an internship at the edmonton studio next year.

and at the disagree... just lol

[slayorofgods]

I think that there are some people on here today that would prefer you just to say "Valve doesn't develop for the PS3 because the PS3 sucks".

No appreciation for meaningful discussion apparently.

[Nihilism]

we need to put the "valve hates sony" BS to rest. As Xi said, EA made the port as vavle didn't have a team that was experienced. Their name was tarnished by EA's laziness.

on topic:

bioware is the sex, kotor, mass effect, dragon age, baulders gate. They truly are the kings of western rpg. Not that square enix is exactly doing anything from their side of the world, "here's more ps1 to DS ports enjoy!"

[sikbeta]

All above me, we are talking about Bioware right now, get over with the valve crap, I'll really want to play ME2 for PS3, anyone knows if it's Timed exclusive or just like Epic with GeOW, like a 2 games deal or something

[RockmanII7]

That's funny, I think that there are some people on here today that would prefer him just to say "Valve doesn't develop for the PS3 because they are fat and lazy".

[slayorofgods]

Fair point, I think we are seeing a lot of users that want to see both these types of comments.

But I will say this, I think this stems from Valves smack talking. PS3 users are pissed, and 360 owners are buying into valves excuses. I think Xi had a good point of what is really going on, but that still doesn't excuse Valve's attitude towards the PS3.

[Rio-Hustla-Inc]

Yes you can, put this damn game on PS3. You will be happy with the sales...............

[Bnet343]

Bioware is RPG king, everyone should be happy with them. Go make KOTOR 3!

[Christopher]

Already being done, it's just going to be an MMO.

As far as BioWare, for me they're one of the Golden Childs of game development. Ever since the Baldur's Gate time, they have not failed to deliver great storytelling and gaming in each of their games and I buy their games immediately. Heck, I own Dragon Age for the PC and the PS3, knowing I'd play the game multiple times because it's that good, and after playing about 40 hours so far, I've already started to plan how I'll spec my future warrior and mage heroes.

[Seferoth75]

Well technically the MMO is "The Old Republic.", so we could very well see another KOTOR since the new one is just going to be TOR.

[Christopher]

From a business standpoint, the only reason I could see them doing another KotoR is to tie it in with the MMO. I highly doubt they'll want to take much Star Wars focus off of the MMO, though, considering they are now working on three well-to-do IPs.

[mintaro]

Microsoft really should've gotten these guys when they had the chance...

[Lifendz]

they have so much money yet they haven't purchased any major studios. They buy exclusivity of games but why not pick up the whole stuido responsible? Buying Bioware would've been great for them.

MS needs to build up their 1st and 2nd party devs. That way you don't just own the exclusive rights to a game that many didn't like (e.g. GTA4), but you own whatever they put out.

[OtherWhiteMeat]

Maybe Microsoft is a little gun shy after buying Rare. Next to nothing back in there return.

[bigrudowsky]

i still dont understand why ms didnt buy bioware nothing but great quality games from these guys. Oh well as long as ea lets them do what they want to do its all good

[Christopher]

I'm not sure BioWare would have allowed Microsoft to buy them considering they have a very big history of putting their own hands into the development. BioWare is a company that already knows what it's doing and doesn't need someone trying to tell them how to do their job or how to implement gameplay. I'm very glad BioWare has been bought by someone who gives them the leeway, time, and money needed to continue to deliver great games.

[Lifendz]

But what about Epic? They showed they could not only get the most of the 360 with Gears, but that they could produce a Halo like hit. Why not lock them up? I know it's more complicated than I'm making it out to be but you think it would've happened more with a company like MS.

[QuackPot]

..they didn't.

M$ was incredibly lucky to see Halo demoed at the Macworld Conferenc back in 1999 and subsequently bought Bungie a year later. We all know how that purchase turned out for them.

They won't be that lucky again mainly because there as now so many developers who have stepped up their game and producing great works in diverse genres.

phew!

I would have loved to see Halo1 on the Ps2.

[Feral Gamer]

Halo 1 on PS2 wouldn't sold nearly as well. It's mainly an online game and the PS2 online wasn't all that good. Xbox had the unified online gaming environment at the time. Plus I think with the slower hardware in the PS2, Halo might not have looked as good as on the Xbox.

Just my thoughts.

[Xi]

They create concepts then pitch them to developers to make the game. Just like tecmo is doing the new metroid other M, ms will do something similar with pgr and they'll hire an outside studio to develop it.

[ElementX]

All I can say is, LOL. That would've sucked!

It would've been so jaggy you couldn't tell a grunt from a ship.

Halo: Combat Evolved
http://www.mobygames.com/im...

Call of Duty 3 PS2:
http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2...

[QuackPot]

@ElementX

Yep, the xbox is more powerful but Santa Monica Studios showed what could be achieved if you know what you are doing with God of War. And had Bungie worked with Santa Monica Studios, Halo1 on the Ps2 would likely have been just as good as on the xbox - due to the skill/experience of the developer.

Also, third party developers like R*, Criterion, Ubi and Panademic didn't do too bad with GTA, Black/Burnout, splinter Cell/RB6 & Mercenaries on the Ps2. The differences between the xbox & Ps2 versions were not major or as bad as you would like us to believe.

No fun & crap gameplay is a reason not to buy a game NOT a few jaggies. Obviously, that's not the case for you E-X.

[Tony P]

What difference would it have made to secure Bioware?

They already got an exclusive RPG in Mass Effect. I would have loved it if MS's mind was on securing WRPGs (the Xbox did that however unintentionally) while the Playstation brand got the JRPGs, but their head isn't there.

Currently, damn near all MS's in-house is either gone or restructured, and their biggest earners (Bungie) split at the start of this gen. What makes anyone think they'd have kept a noted developer of WRPGs around? Hell, they wouldn't even buy Mistwalker and they were actually interested in JRPGs for a time.

Too wrapped up in this third-party limited exclusivity thing imo.

[PandemicPrawn0]

If I was head of Microsoft Games Studios I would be kicking myself every day for not locking up Bioware.

I don't really know what MS's plan is for further developing their first party.

Studios like Mistwalker and ruffian would be great to add diversity to their exclusive line up.

Surely they have also looked long and hard at Epic.

Whats the hold up Microsoft?

[Xi]

I think using the original halo is a bit of a misnomer for what the original xbox was capable of, specially comparing it to cod which was released like 4 years later.

[NicCageMYHero]

...be happier with BioWare if they made KOTOR3...

[S4NDM4N]

I couldn't be happier with Dragon Age.

Mass Effect on the other hand was disappointing. Generic story to be honest. Complete rip-off of Lovecraft and Star Trek.

However, I still think Bioware is the best RPG dev.

Cannot stop playing dragon age

[NicCageMYHero]

Is one of my favorite games of this gen but it wasn't without its problems. Will you be picking up ME2 now that they fixed many of 1's problems?

[RuPaul]

EA couldn't be happier with how well games sell on the 360.

[dazzalfc]

...obsessed much?

[QuackPot]

Now they just need to announce that ME2 is a timed exclusive for the PC/360. Ps3 version to be released 6 months later.

Would be nice as well for Criterion to announce they would be redefining FPS with Black2 - an RPG shooter, huge maps, significant customization, fully usable vehicles, realistic ballistics & physics, destructible environments, 128 + players, 4 player split screen, coop etc.

Oh, but you can only dream. Suppose BFBC2 will have to do for the time being. Thanks EA.

[bigrudowsky]

Im wondering about that my self i would definitely wait for the ps3 version because im sure they would add extra content.. Either way me2 is going to be an amazing game i loved the firs and cant hardly wait for this one

[PandemicPrawn0]

But I highly doubt that it will.

I'm sure Microsoft know how important Mass Effect is to the Xbox360.

I think MS also published the first game so perhaps some kind of exclusive agreement was reached before the EA buyout.

MS have a strong relationship with both EA and Bioware.

I could be wrong but I don't think it's gonna happen.

[Tony P]

I think it's pretty much up for grabs at this point. It's almost becoming a very badly kept secret considering the abnormal amount of accidental listings and slip ups. Regardless of the first game's situation, it seems pretty obvious that EA or Bio or both are trying to find a way around legal snafus to get the game out there.

On MS's side, I'm not entirely sure they want to fight to keep it exclusive. A lot of games have seemed "important" enough to be kept exclusive, but it's becoming clear what MGS now considers important doesn't necessarily match our expectations.

[Bumpmapping]

Bioware welcome to the Playstation Nation.I can't wait for ME2 on the PS3 so all the bots can cry :*(

[RuPaul]

keep dreaming, it will NEVER happen./snicker :)

[Why Dat]

@ RuPaul

Is... Is that you Metal Gear Rising? ChrisCulloa? YLOD Service?

All hell, you guys are all just the same damn person. Trolling and making stupid comments, that related in no way shape or form to the article.

Pathetic.

[chrisulloa]

Yeah, no I don't think so. At least my comments make sense. Fortunately, the Mass Effect Trilogy won't be coming to PS3 anytime soon, if anything you guys will be stuck playing with the first one before you play the second and third. We'll all be over the first one by then. But PS3 owners like playing leftovers right? Bioshock, Ninja Gaiden, etc.

[likedamaster]

They were available at the time, Microsoft should've went for it.

[PandemicPrawn0]

Agreed.

I wonder if they are too late to acquire the poor man's Bioware, Obsidian Entertainment?

[ktchong]

I'm not sure why everyone is ignoring this:

The quality of BioWare games has actually DECLINED since they went multiplatform and started making games for PS3.

BioWare's latest game Dragon Age only scores 87 at Metascores. That's not even good for BioWare, which used to score mostly in the 90s.

[00]

only made one game for the ps3 so how could the games declined in quality declined since than, also that score is for the console versions and not the PC version which got a 91

[CaulkSlap]

I agree. But it's not PS3. It's consoles in general. Multiplat between consoles just means more technical staff to make it work on both. Being on PC and consoles means fundamental game design changes that ruin the game's potential if it were PC exclusive. Console/PC would still be mostly separate if it wasn't for Xbox blending and thereby watering down both.

[LostCypher11]

Dragon age was made by a different team then the dev team that made ME2. they may have just been holding the back the skilled programs cuz there busy working on ME2. which looks to be top notch again. Dragon age is still a great game, but it does have it faults

[Dead_Cell]

I don't think it's desputible between prefered console owners,everyone can achknowledge Bioware make great games.

[spdarksky]

Even older games like Baldur's Gate and Planescape still haven't been surpassed by other newer games out of Bioware production in terms of gameplay, replayability and story telling. They have all the best creative team and they really really know what they're doing.

I bought PC version of Dragon Age Origins based on Bioware name alone (I know that Bioware won't disappoints), by god this game is really really really good. Worth every penny. Gonna play Dragon Age now.

[Tony P]

I agree.

One correction. Planescape: Torment wasn't one of theirs.

[CaulkSlap]

Well I could be happier if EA didn't buy them out. But really EA has surprised me with their freedom to developers and quality games. They were the evil giant a few years ago. Now that title really belongs to Activision.

[QuickdrawMcgraw]

I think I just saw on the news that EA layed off something like 15% of it work force.That sucks.

[phantomexe]

dragon age is so damn good i haven't even went for the MW2 yet.At frist i was like well this game will hold me over but then i played it and yea great story.Truely a great game guys if you haven't played it.The story reminds me of finel fantasy before they stop makeing them story driven and it became all about what the game looks like.Dragon age orgins great game guys.