Farewell BioWare

On Thursday the news broke that BioWare, the “legendary” video game developer behind such titles as the Dragon Age and Mass Effect franchises, has been closed down. The Canadian developer specialising in role-playing games was founded in 1995 and found millions of fans with its complex, branching narratives systems. Its parent company Electronic Arts decided to close the studio as part of a wider financial restructuring across their entire business. The closure of BioWare after 31 years, means the loss of 400 jobs. It is this aspect that saddens me the most, as the current job climate is poor enough but the entire video games industry is contracting at present so finding work within the same field is a challenge. The time or year doesn’t help either but then it can be cogently argued that there is never a good time to become unemployed. Naturally there has been an outpouring of sympathy, sadness and opprobrium from fans.

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Star Wars: The Old Republic - Legacy of the Sith

As well as a new central story, Legacy of the Sith has also introduced some major system changes to the MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic. From my own perspective as a returning casual player, these changes are measured and appropriate. Firstly, my Smuggler has had some of their skills rationalised. Some buffs which you previously chose to use, such as Smuggler’s Luck, are now passive skills. Other minor skills, such as Flash Grenade, have been removed. I don’t consider any of these changes to undermine the class and welcome the decluttering of my quickbars. Perhaps more advanced players may take a different view. Change is not always welcome, especially if it removes choice. I however approve of these alterations and the way the UI has been redesigned to display your gear, outfit, combat style, loadouts and companion details.

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Gaming, MMORPG, BioWare, Anthem Open Demo Roger Edwards Gaming, MMORPG, BioWare, Anthem Open Demo Roger Edwards

Anthem Open Demo

Before I start with my thoughts on the actual nuts and bolts of Anthem, let me just say that it’s nice that the concept of “the demo” still exists. There was a time when I use to buy various computer magazines in the late nineties, and they would all have a cover disk filled with game demos. I discovered many great games that way (MDK, Hidden and Dangerous), simply by having access to a few levels of a new title. Game developers seem ambivalent towards the concept of “try before you buy” these days. More often than not we get early access instead, which is not the same thing at all. But a functional demo that gives you a decent representation of the full product is a far better proposition. For the gamer at least. Because if you play it and like it, then you are sold. Unlike early access where you may see a product with prospects but whether it comes to fruition is another thing entirely. However, demos are a double edge sword, because may also come to a clear and unequivocal conclusion that you don’t like the game in question, or that is simply not for you.

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