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Dragon Age Forum News (Nov. 09, 05) Pt. 1

Discussion in 'Game/SP News & Comments' started by Eldular, Nov 10, 2005.

  1. Eldular Gems: 10/31
    Latest gem: Zircon

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    Here are today's Dragon Age forum highlights, taken from the Dragon Age Official Forum. Please take into account that these are only single parts of various threads and should not be taken out of context. Bear in mind also that the posts presented here are copied as-is, and that any bad spelling and grammar does not get corrected on our end.

    David Gaider, Lead Writer

    Elevation, BioWare, Pandemic joining forces
    Oh, no, wait...we haven't. Dragon Age.
    Yeah, but we're not devoting all our efforts towards the PC, so clearly this is an indication of our desire to abandon it completely. ;)

    James Henley, Designer

    Elevation, BioWare, Pandemic joining forces
    I have faith in Ray and Greg. If they believe this is beneficial to BioWare, then I see no reason not to back it 100%.

    And I back it 100%.

    More:
    If Bioware wants to solidify itself to become a console RPG specialist then this is the move. But they're clearly moving away from PC RPG development with the pact.
    Clearly? Show me some proof, beyond rampant speculation.

    Oh lament, lament, ye gamers of PC persuasion, for BioWare has abandoned ye.

    Oh, no, wait...we haven't. Dragon Age.

    More:
    BTW Jay, I have placed my request in for the built-in bar in my office. After all, they didn't say what KIND of resources.

    *whistles*

    :)
    Whatever gets the inspirational juices flowing, right?

    By the way, I'm moving into your office. :good:

    Chris Priestly, Quality Assurance

    Elevation, BioWare, Pandemic joining forces
    From a PC gamer point of view, the move can't be said to be good.
    BioWare = NwN, KotOR PC, Dragon Age and continued support for NwN through digital modules. Pandemic = Full Spectrum Warrior PC and Star Wars Battlefront I and II for PC. Sure we also make console titles like Jade Empire, or Destroy All Humans, but I don't see how this is a bad thing for PC gaming?

    More:
    I fear this new company will care more for the profits then quality in the long run.
    Actually, it's pretty much the opposite. Having the backing of Elevation Partners now allows us a lot more freedom to ensure that the titles we (both BioWare and Pandemic) produce are truely excellent.

    Sometimes when a game is made (I'm not saying this was ever the case with BioWare or Pandemic, I'm just explaining) a publisher can really dictate when the game is released. They may have periods that for financial reasons a game needs to go on sale to make their goals. As such, they put pressure on the developer to get the game out on a predetermined schedule. And this can affect the quality of the game. I'm sure we all have experienced a game that was going to be very cool, but had bugs or nagging flaws or some element that detracted from enjoyment that could/should have been cleared up before it was released.

    With the backing of Elevation behind us, we can now concentrate on making the games we make excellent. BioWare and Pandemic already had a reputation for excellence (part of the reason this whole partnership was made) and now, we'll be able to focus on it even more. :)

    More:
    Respectfully, and not in a chicken little sorta voice, that would be more persuasive in general if Dragon Age had a release year or something.
    Perhaps things have been busy on the whole corporate side of things (hint *see press release*). Perhaps Dragon Age (a very "in demand" item for publishers) was part of that "busy-ness". Perhaps things will calm down now and events will start to take shape.

    Perhaps.

    More:
    And, the big fear of many I think, will it remain fully staffed?
    Absolutely.

    One of the "demands" (among many) that both BioWare and Pandemic had before agreeing on the partnership was that no one from either of the existing companies would lose their jobs and ALL current projects (announced and in developement) would continue as planned.

    Another result of the new partnership with BioWare, Pandemic and Elevation is that we plan to continue to increase the size of the teams that we have. So not only are we not losing anyone, we're actuially planning on hiring more. How many? I'm not really sure, but there is talk of hundreds being hired between both studios over the next 3 years (based on qualified applicants, of course). If you are interested in possibly working for BioWare or Pandemic in Edmonton, LA or Brisbane, check out the link to our current available positions at the top of this page:
    http://bioware.pandemicstudios.com/

    More:
    I heard the rumor of personnels diverted from DA to ME; if it's true then would the situation become more detrimental to DA development?
    Definately, as I indicated just before you posted, an UNTRUE rumor. :)

    More:
    So...exit strategy then...

    In five years' time is Bioware going to float or be sold to Microsoft so that the VCs can get the return on their investment? :evil:

    Seriously, while I've little worry that DA is going to be cancelled as a result (see, the reassurances work :p), the question remains as to whether they are going to make another PC game afterwards. Elevation are going to want back more than the $300 million they put in and console games make more money.
    Well, the future is a long time away and no one can say for certain what will happen. But in the meetings we had with Ray, Greg, Andrew (Goldman of Pandemic), Josh (Resnick ditto) and John (Riccitiello a managing director at Elevation Partners) they all talked about how BioWare, Pandemic and Elevation are looking for long term investments and opportunities.

    Basically, this isn't some group of greedy rich guys who want a quick investment and turnaround on their dollar. Elevation is looking for long term financial gains, which means we make great games for a long, long time. :)

    More: Obsidian and all of BioWare's partners or publishers are exteremly valuable to us. We have a great relationship with Obsidian and I don't see how the new partnership will change that. :)

    More:
    That being said, if this arangement means that DA can potentially be a greater game for the PC and could possibly lead to more games for the PC based on the new DA world, then this looks to be a very positive situation. I hope my speculation is correct and I hope this arrangement works out well for all involved.
    Yep, that's pretty much the case. Well summed up. :)

    More: Well, as we keep saying, we're still making Dragon Age. It is going to be BioWare's best and biggest PC game ever. We are definately not stopping production on it at all.

    And we are still an indepandant company. We aren't owned by a publisher in any way, so are independant to shop our games around to whomever we think will do the best job of publishing them. :)

    More:
    I'm curious. I know that Bioware and Pandemic each get to continue all their planned projects (e.g. DA), but the press release thingy also mentions cooperation on "creative" matters. Does that mean that at some point in the future, the two companies - err, divisions - are going to be collaborating on games?

    If so, the possibilities are intriguing. Bioware RPG prowess combined with Pandemic's action knowhow could make for some very cool games.
    It is certainly possible. Currently I know we're focusing on making Dragon Age and Mass Effect and do not have any plans for a joint effort (we only just announced the partnership, so it's a little early for plans like that yet). But it is certainly a new available option to us both to work on some sort of collaboration somewhere down the road. :)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 3, 2018
    Eldular, Nov 10, 2005
    #1
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