To say Bioware has had a rough couple of years is an understatement. Mass Effect: Andromeda was a massive letdown for fans of the franchise. Then came Anthem, which turned into a live service disaster that destroyed most goodwill the company had built up with the gaming community. But given how well-handled Mass Effect: Legendary Edition was by the studio, it seems like they are keen on winning back the community.
In a blog post, Bioware discussed how it’s viewing the future of its company practices. And how they will handle the time ahead of its two most important franchises. In terms of Dragon Age, they were quick to shoot down the rumors that it would be a live service game. General Manager Gary Mckay explained in a quote:
“We have a veteran group of talented developers working on the next iteration of the franchise. We are focused on a single-player experience that is built on choices that matter.”
Gary McKay
It makes sense to confirm that the next Dragon Age will not be live service. Considering that element was the massive downfall of Anthem, it seems that Bioware is staying far away from that cash grab mentality. As for Mass Effect:
“I’m seeing some incredible work from both teams. If you’re curious about Mass Effect, I’d encourage you to take a look at the poster we released on N7 Day. If you look closely, there are a handful of hidden treats; by my count, there are at least five surprises, all of which point to an amazing future in the Mass Effect universe.”
Gary McKay
Good words, but actions speak louder
The words are all in good intention. But one action, to me, shows that Bioware is serious about a better working environment for their future games. The company also confirmed they will start hiring remotely due to adapting to the pandemic! McKay broke down the rationale behind this decision:
The pandemic has also taught us a lot about how we can work together, even while working across North America from hundreds of different locations. And now, we’ll use what we’ve learned and apply it to a new work model that will ensure flexibility for everyone in the studio. Our goal is to lean into the things that everyone likes about working from home, while also giving people the opportunity to return to the office with more flexibility.
Gary McKay
This is a terrific sign that McKay is committed to a positive work environment to help Bioware in the future. The pandemic has proven that the gaming industry can adapt to working from home. Not only that but doing so is much more popular with workers and leads to higher productivity. Companies that aren’t offering work-from-home options are starting to struggle to hire talent (looking at you Ubisoft). So Bioware will avoid that pitfall and get, potentially, the best talent they can from hungry developers. Ones who want to strive for success and feel comfortable doing so.
It’s been a rough couple of years, but I think Bioware has a solid chance to turn the corner back to the studio we all know and love. Are you excited about the future of Bioware? Can they keep their promises and deliver? What do you think? Let us know below!
Via PC Gamer
