Leaving BioWare/EA topic

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From Aaryn Flynn, BioWare Studio General Manager
After nearly 16 years of game development at BioWare, Executive Producer Casey Hudson has made the decision to move on from BioWare and enter a new stage of his career. We thank Casey for his hard work and dedication as we look back on his time with BioWare.

Starting as a Technical Artist on Neverwinter Nights and MDK2, Casey moved into the Project Director role with 2003’s Game of the Year Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. He then led the team in the development of the Mass Effect trilogy, an award-winning series that I and many others consider to be one of the most important science-fiction universes of our generation. Casey’s focus on production quality, digital acting technology, and emotionally engaging narrative has made a substantial impact on BioWare and the video game industry as a whole.

Casey shared his thoughts with his colleagues in a letter earlier today:

After what already feels like a lifetime of extraordinary experiences, I have decided to hit the reset button and move on from BioWare. I’ll take a much needed break, get perspective on what I really want to do with the next phase of my life, and eventually, take on a new set of challenges.

Though there’s never an easy time to make a change like this, I believe this is the best time for it. The foundation of our new IP in Edmonton is complete, and the team is ready to move forward into pre-production on a title that I think will redefine interactive entertainment. Development for the next Mass Effect game is well underway, with stunning assets and playable builds that prove the team is ready to deliver the best Mass Effect experience to date. And the Dragon Age: Inquisition team is putting the final touches on a truly ambitious title with some of the most beautiful visuals I’ve seen in a game.

But while I feel that the time has come, this is without a doubt the most difficult decision of my career. BioWare is as magical a place today as it was when I started. The projects we are working on are some of the most exciting and prestigious in the world. The talent in our teams is second to none. And the people here are some of my closest friends. I’ve spent more time with many of you than my own family, and I have enjoyed every day of it.”

Casey also had a message of appreciation for BioWare fans:

“Long before I worked in games, I was fascinated by their ability to transport me to places where amazing and memorable experiences awaited. When I made my very first asset that I knew would actually make it into a game (the laser bolt in MDK2!) I couldn’t believe how fortunate I was to contribute in some small way to the process of creating interactive entertainment.

Now, having led the development of four major titles, I’m profoundly appreciative of the role I’ve been able to play in creating these games. The very idea that so many of you have enjoyed spending time in the worlds we’ve created is the defining achievement of my career, and it’s your support over the years that made it all possible.

Thank you.

I know that I leave our projects in great hands, and I join you in looking forward to playing them.”

As we say a fond farewell, I know I speak on behalf of the entire studio when I say that we will be forever grateful for Casey’s hard work, passion, and everything he has taught us over the years – a methodical dedication to quality, a spirit of teamwork and camaraderie, and putting fans above everything else. But most of all, Casey has challenged every one of us in the studio to be better tomorrow than we were today. It is in that spirit that as we finish Dragon Age: Inquisition, we will continue working on the next Mass Effect game and our new IP project, confident in our goals and progress.

Thank you Casey. This is not an ending, but a new beginning.

http://blog.bioware.com/2014/08/07/casey-hudsons-departure-from-biowareea/
 
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I guess some will find ways to somehow make this look like EA's fault, and others will still talk about how bad ME3 was because of him. As for me, I will always remember the highest moments of Mass Effect 2, 3, and KOTOR.
 
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That's a big loss. Casey Hudson is a legend of the industry and his contributions at BioWare will be missed.
 
so that's Bioware of old pretty much gone.

Would say I'm sad if not for him ruining ME3's story.
 
Wonder where he'll go next. I'm sure ME will be fine without him though.
 
I'm torn about him leaving. He's responsible for/had a hand in alot of my favorite games from Bioware, but if the rumors are true, he had a main role in ME3's lackluster ending.
Regardless, I wish him the best in future endeavors.
 
This is a HUGE loss for Bioware. this is the man that pretty much made the KOTOR and first Mass Effect magic possible. I hope he lands in a good position.
 


Very sad about this news. With him under the helm Bioware managed to make a truly thriving fantasy world. I wish only the best for him.

BTW at the time of his leaving he was not the lead writer of Dragon Age series. He left that position last year to work on Bioware's new IP (led by previous Mass Effect team, a team where its lead Casey Hudson left for Microsoft). Bioware's producer Cameron Lee assured that the new IP's development is not hampered by his leave.
 
Not exactly an effusive, happy going-away speech there. Very subdued. I wonder if something went awry.

Some Bioware writer who left recently returned. I forget who. The Mass Effect guy, I think.

Dragon Age was okay. I enjoyed the party banter; that was good. The characters were usually pretty well drawn. The main plot lines usually left me unmoved, though.
 
Maybe a change of scenery was need for both parties. Bioware's writing was getting a little predictable and cliche in some places. He's could've needed a break from working on the same franchise for years on end.
 
Maybe a change of scenery was need for both parties. Bioware's writing was getting a little predictable and cliche in some places. He's could've needed a break from working on the same franchise for years on end.

Bioware has developed a house style that's unlikely to change in years. However we might see a bit of a shakeup with Mass Effect Andromeda, since they got their first external writer as a lead in that team.
 
Hopefully he goes somewhere new and does more work.
 
Maybe a change of scenery was need for both parties. Bioware's writing was getting a little predictable and cliche in some places. He's could've needed a break from working on the same franchise for years on end.

Just finished playing through DA: I again and i agree. The game was great but the story and dialogue just about put me to sleep. Nowhere near on the level of The Witcher's story. BioWare could use an upgrade.
 
Ex-Mass Effect and ANTHEM Writer Leaves BioWare for Second Time

Drew Karpyshyn, best known for his role as lead writer on the brilliant Mass Effect 2, has left developer BioWare for the second time. Karpyshyn first made his way out of the company back before the release of Mass Effect 3, but he returned last year to help out with ANTHEM.

On his official site, Karpyshyn writes that he's simply moving on to other things. He's set to "pursue a number of other projects, including more original novels, an original sci-fi graphic novel I'm co-creating, and freelance gaming work". Good luck to him.

But what does this mean for ANTHEM? Without trying to sound like a bunch of total downers, our concern for the project is starting to grow. In January of this year, there were reports that BioWare is really starting to feel the pressure as it heads deeper into production, and the title was hit with a confirmed delay into 2019. And now, with the departure of Karpyshyn, we can't help but speculate.

http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2018..._anthem_writer_leaves_bioware_for_second_time
 
If this was close to launch I would think it would be no biggie. A year a way is making me think they are doing some sort of Destiny pivot or something.
 
If this was close to launch I would think it would be no biggie. A year a way is making me think they are doing some sort of Destiny pivot or something.

"You have completed fifteen minutes of story. Please insert credit card to continue." :crazy::smash:
 
If only he had finished the ME story.

Seems BioWare are unable to get out of the current revolving door situation right now.
 
I'm not worried. His work on the game is done.
Not saying that I am worried, but what makes you think his work on the game was done? Were still a year out. Both Destiny games had their stuff rewritten in almost the same timeframe. Could be another Destiny/Joseph Staten situation.
 
Not saying that I am worried, but what makes you think his work on the game was done? Were still a year out. Both Destiny games had their stuff rewritten in almost the same timeframe. Could be another Destiny/Joseph Staten situation.

I don't want to sound naive but this tweet from Casey Hudson.


Even though the game is still a year out, the story is already firmly in place.
 
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All that's left at Bioware now is the IPs but this might not be such a bad thing. Alot of that old guard was responsible for the highs and the lows that they hit. Might have been time for some fresh perceptive.
 
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