Weblogs Inc : Tag bioware

Revolutionary: Most Deceptive Kontraction

In the year 1997, with Sylvester Stallone's Demolition Man still fairly fresh on our minds, developer Shiny took the opportunity to name one of their games after an abbreviated phrase that was mentioned several times in that film. Under the assumption that MDK stood for "Murder, Death, Kill" and the fact that you run around as a guy whose head is a sniper rifle, the Playstation generation couldn't wait to get their hands on it. As it turned out, the game was not the gruesome murder simulator many people expected, but a humorously quirky action title like most of the prior games Shiny was known for. In the sequel, the main character from the first game, Kurt Hectic, would share the duty of saving the earth with Doctor Fluke Hawkins and the four-armed, gun-toting, cigar-chomping robotic dog, Max, the other members of the game's titular trio. It's the crazy sort of stuff that keeps gaming fresh, and with its recently-announced comeback in the making, I can think of no better place for the franchise to make a killing than on the Wii.

New Sonic Chronicles video focuses on combat

If you've been waiting on Bioware's Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, then you've been waiting on a definitive look at the game's combat system. Heck, we have! Well, boys and girls, the wait is over. Feast your eyeballs on the trailer above and tell us what you think in the comments!

%Gallery-16398%
[Via press release]

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood offers up overproduced trailer

This has to be one of the most incredibly overproduced game trailers in existence. It's like SEGA and BioWare hired the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack producer and forced him to write a full-blown soundtrack for Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. Sonic has never had so much fanfare, especially on such a small system.

Zack nailed this in his hands-on impression, and the gameplay backs it up, but it looks like you could have dropped any ol' characters into this real-time RPG. When we hear the name Sonic, we tend to think hyper-speed running and gold rings flying all over the place. Call us old fashioned.

Still, this trailer is sure to wake you if you're in that end-of-the-week coma.

Dragon Age video lets you be who you want

This Dragon Age Origins video shows gameplay from an early mission and sets up much of the plot. Most of the emphasis is on the dialogue system that lets players be the hero or villain they want to be. Players will be able to treat one character nicely, then talk ill of them behind their backs. Or they can be complete jerks and still be thought of as a great guy, as long as they know how to cover their tracks.

Download the Dragon Age: Origins HD Gameplay Video (217 MB)
%Gallery-28013%

The Daily Grind: Is WAR the WoW killer?

The Warhammer Online NDA has been lifted, and a veritable tidal wave of WAR-related information has struck the internet. The open beta test is imminent, but countless pre-order customers are already in the closed beta. The game's launch is only a month away! So this is a great time to ask for your predictions: is Warhammer Online the long-awaited World of Warcraft killer?

Some folks hoped it would be Age of Conan, but while that game is doing all right, it hasn't lived up for the hype for everyone. Are all your hopes placed in WAR now, or will it take BioWare's Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Online or Cryptic's Star Trek Online to move the genre into the next era? Hell, maybe WoW will never be dethroned by one game.

Make your predictions here, but we have a disclaimer: we won't be held responsible for any shame and embarrassment when you're proven way off base in the future!

BioWare clarifies Dragon Age console plans

We reported during E3 that the Dragon Age franchise would be heading to consoles in "the future," though it wasn't made clear in exactly what form it would arrive. Given that Dragon Age: Origins is heading to PC, it would make sense that we might see a version of the same title hit consoles, and BioWare's Dan Tudge has confirmed just that to Eurogamer. "Yes. Dragon Age: Origins will be coming to consoles in the near future, yes," said Tudge, adding that the console version should be arriving in late 2009 following the PC release earlier in the year. Such dates should be taken with a grain of salt though, as BioWare PR notes that "plans for consoles haven't been finalised yet."

Frankly, it doesn't matter when the game shows up. No matter how soon it arrives, the wait for the "spiritual successor" to Baldur's Gate will feel like an eternity.

[Via Joystiq]

Jade Empire for the Mac released via digital download

Bioware's action-RPG Jade Empire was released originally for the first Xbox console in 2004 and in 2006 a "special edition" was released for the PC with some extra content. Now that PC special edition version has finally been ported over to the Mac platform via TransGaming's Cider tech and is now available via digital download.

In case you are unfamiliar with Cider, it basically acts as a "wrapper" that enabled the game to be run on Intel-based Mac computers. Unfortunately, Jade Empire for the Mac is a rather expensive title to download compared to the current price of the PC version. Transgaming is offering the title via its own download service for $39.95.

To be clear: Dragon Age: Origins is coming to consoles

We've been getting some mixed signals from BioWare in recent days about Dragon Age: Origins and its fate on consoles, going so far as to make us wonder if the console versions of the game will be wholly different from the one coming to PC. BioWare took some time out to clear up the confusion with Eurogamer.

"Yes. Dragon Age: Origins will be coming to consoles in the near future, yes," Dan Tudge, director and executive producer for the game, said. So, not exactly a console-specific version, but hey, at least that means less of a wait, right?

Dragon Age: Origins toolset info revealed

When Bioware finally announced more details on their long awaited fantasy RPG Dragon Age: Origins they also announced that the game would come with a full toolset for folks who wanted to make their own levels and content for the game. Now the first newsletter for those future world builders has been released with more info on what the toolkit will have.

The toolkit will allow folks to make their own full single player adventures with a script editor available to change creature AI and combat for making "detailed action sequences full of heart-pounding party-based tactical combat." If you happen to be going to Penny Arcade Expo at the end of the month you can attend a special presentation where Bioware team members will give a live demo showing off the features of the Dragon Age: Origins toolkit.

BioWare releases Dragon Age: Origins convention schedule

For those of you just insanely eager to get your mitts on the new RPG by BioWare, crack open those wallets, because they have just announced the public showing schedule for conventions. The first convention that it is going to be displayed at is Gen Con, which is this weekend, August 14th through August 17th. The next convention after that is the largest European game convention, Liepzig's GCDC, the following weekend. Finally, for those of you heading to Penny Arcade Expo on August 29th through the 31st, you are in luck. That is the final public showing of Dragon Age this month. We're sure there will be more public showings, but if you must absolutely see Dragon Age in the month of August, those are the conventions to be at. If you need another reason to be excited about Dragon Age, just take a peek at the trailer right here on Big Download.

BioWare teases more Mass Effect DLC

Because the universe is infinite, Mass Effect's dramatic space opera should never end -- until the inevitable sequel, of course. In an interview with MTV Multiplayer, BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk teases future DLC (downloadable content) for Mass Effect.

"We're talking about that," Zeschuk said in response to MTV's query as to whether gamers could expect more DLC prior to Mass Effect 2's release. You know how we are. We're always very circumspect until we can go 'Aha! There it is.'"

Zeschuk went on to explain that BioWare's goal with everything they create is "to have this long-term relationship with the customer and always have something for them to try."

Though Zeschuk carefully skirted official confirmation, his statements do seem to imply that more Mass Effect DLC will eventually be transported onto gamers' Xbox 360 and PC hard drives.

DS Daily: Mass spinoff effect

If you were put in charge of creating a Mass Effect game on the DS, how would you do it? There are many ways to take an existing franchise and make a handheld game out of it, and basically the decision comes down to whether to make a shrunken-down version of the original game style or to make a completely new game.

Would you make a 2D version of the original game, like Xenosaga I&II? A smaller side story with vaguely similar gameplay, like Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles? Would you dare to make a lower-polygon port? Or would you make a totally different game in the same universe, as Konami is doing with Elebits? How about the exact same game, but redone as an English trainer?

By the way, if you actually have been put in charge of a Mass Effect DS game, hi! We'd love to talk to you.

Mass Effect, other BioWare franchises possible on DS

Sonic Chronicles may lead to more familiar franchises for BioWare's handheld division, according to statements made by Chronicles lead Miles Holmes. Holmes says that the company is considering DS versions of its major franchises, including Dragon Age, Jade Empire, and Mass Effect. "Basically anything that reinforces the franchises," said Holmes.

His choice? "I tell you which one I would want. I want the Mass Effect one." He goes on to say that "a DS version would be an awesome way to keep interest alive and keep it going in addition to the next [Mass Effect game]."

Is this a confirmation of a Mass Effect DS sequel? Absolutely not, but it shows that BioWare is at least thinking about their own games on DS.

%Gallery-16398%
[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

BioWare considering Mass Effect DS

... and Jade Empire DS and Dragon Age DS and pretty much any BioWare property is on the table, according to the company. Lead designer of upcoming DS title Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood Miles Homes told Eurogamer.de that the company would consider small screen versions of their IPs, "basically anything that reinforces the franchises."

As much as we'd like to get totally pumped by the revelation, we're going to withhold pumpitude until we see how Sonic turns out. But hey, don't let us rain on your parade: Which BioWare franchise do you hope goes DS first?

More Mass Effect DLC a possibility

Speaking to MTV's Multiplayer, BioWare's Greg Zeschuk came tantalizingly close to confirming more DLC for Mass Effect. While Zeschuk didn't go so far as to confirm that more DLC is on the way, he did say that Bioware is "talking about" it and that BioWare wants gamers to "always have something ... to try." We're sure that Mass Effect fans would agree, especially considering they've had nothing new to explore since the "Bring Down the Sky" DLC released in March. Unfortunately, Zeschuk said nothing regarding when we might actually see this potential DLC, so it looks like Mass Effect fans are still left out in the cold darkness of space.

[Via Joystiq]

BioWare 'talking about' more Mass Effect DLC

BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk was talking to MTV Multiplayer about the company's upcoming Dragon Age, when he took a left turn at Alpha Centauri and discussed future Mass Effect DLC. He tells the site that it's still a trilogy and that the company is "looking at some other post-release content." He won't confirm anything, but says the company is "talking about" more DLC.

The space opera has only had one episodic DLC adventure with Bring Down the Sky, which was made available free for PC purchasers of the game. Since then, the space around The Citadel has been pretty quiet ... but not in that normal space sort of way ... you know what we mean.

LucasArts hiring testers for extra-super-secret MMO

At this point, we think it's pretty safe to call BioWare's KOTOR MMO the absolute worst-kept secret in gaming. After all, the game was all but announced during E3. (That's when EA boss John Riccitiello confirmed it was in the works, you see.) Now comes word that LucasArts is hiring testers with MMO experience. Hmmm.

Specifically, the job posting states that candidates will "test MMO games for bugs" and "strive to help make a competitive MMO." Really, now? It's something listed under the job requirements that has stirred up some intrigue, though. In order to get the testing gig, applicants must have "strong familiarity and experience with gaming consoles and Windows based PCs." So, the KOTOR MMO is multi-platform? Oh, you crazy secret-keepers.

[TheForce.net via Massively]

BioWare envisions console-specific Dragon Age

It's no secret that BioWare's next big thing in the RPG world, Dragon Age, is coming to consoles at some point. Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, the dev's co-president, Greg Zeschuk, indicated that the game will receive the sort of "port plus" treatment Mass Effect did during its transition from 360 to PC.

"In the case [of Mass Effect on PC] we worked really hard to make it even better than the console version," Zeschuk told MTV, adding, "That's the approach we're taking with Dragon Age." Presumably he means in moving from PC to consoles. Zeschuk also noted that BioWare's mantra with regards to each patform's version of its games is "very definitive and very specific." With a console Dragon Age, one of BioWare's biggest tasks will be the reverse of what it did for Mass Effect on PC: taking a full-blown mouse and keyboard interface and making it play nicely with a controller.
%Gallery-28224%

LucasArts looking for PC and console MMO testers

If you somehow still weren't convinced -- or in denial -- about the reality of a KOTOR MMO, here's some further proof of the matter. It's very compelling evidence but what's most interesting about the job requirements is this bit, "Strong familiarity and experience with gaming consoles, and Windows based PC's." Should we be expecting to hear the eventual announcement of an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 KOTOR MMO? Seems like.

The good side of this news is you could meet the criteria LucasArts has set for a tester and be one of the first people to play the game. The bad news is that a new single-player KOTOR seems unlikely to be in anyone's current future. So if you're not initially sold on a massively multiplayer KOTOR, hopefully BioWare will actually own up to their claim of trying something different and change your mind in the long-run.

New Sonic Chronicles trailer goes by fast

Sega has set loose a new trailer for BioWare's portable Sonic the Hedgehog RPG ... and the video was apparently created with the aid of Blast Processing. We think we can see Sonic running, characters battling, puzzles being solved, and – oh no – is that Sonic with guns? It isn't? Whew.

The actual overworld traversing reminds us a lot of Sonic 3D Blast – just in terms of the isometric perspective, mind you. Something tells us that this game will end up a lot better than Sega's "2.5D" offering for Genesis and Saturn did. Maybe it's the fact that, as this trailer so boldly (and largely) touts, the game is from the creators of Mass Effect and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic?