BioWare's Focus on Mass Effect & Dragon Age Will Be a Double-Edged Sword

BioWare's focus on what it does best is great news for fans, but it can't be at the expense of innovation and creativity when creating new IPs.

[Christopher]

I think people forget how hard it is to start a new IP and how having two back-to-back successes with new IPs, let alone RPGs, is not normal.

[luckytrouble]

I think people also forget that basically all if not entirely all the old talent at Bioware left between the Andromeda and Anthem debacles. It's basically in the best interest of those who are there now to try to figure out how to use the existing IPs the best they can to try to maintain any remaining trust in the studio.

[chronoforce]

Perhaps there is a tendency for people to over simplify making new ip but the likes of Baldurs Gate, Mass Effect, DA:Origins, Jade Empire, Kotor and Never winter nights all released in a 10 - 11 year window. The next 10 years saw Anthem as the only major new game.

It can be hard to accept that the smaller and less resourced they were the more able they were to make new ip. Bioware might not make make another new major ip for the next 10 years. We may end up waiting for a new ip only for Bioware to make something silly like they did with Anthem or like Rocksteady is doing with Suicide Squad.

[Christopher]

I definitely think Anthem was a huge misstep for them and made them go away from MP/GaaS concepts and just focus on the IPs that they've had success with.

[Duke19]

It’s not like they are pumping these out like COD or Madden. I’ll gladly take another Mass Effect or Dragon Age.

Saying “Yeah but why don’t they do Mass Effect, Dragon Age AND more” is just a silly take

[Rikuide]

Jade Empire 2 after that, right? Right?!

[Christopher]

I wish, but I think with the resurgence of eastern combat-focused games, probably not. They'll probably focus on the two IPs that got them the most sales. Jade Empire was ahead of its time but also didn't sell that well, sadly.

[ChiefofLoliPolice]

Man Id love a new Jade Empire.

[Muigi]

I don’t care how long it takes for Mass Effect 4.

[ChiefofLoliPolice]

I don't care how long it takes for the new ME and DA. Take the time and do it right. I don't want to see another "Anthem" situation.

[GhostScholar]

There are no other two ips that I long for a resurgence more than mass effect and dragon age

[anast]

If they don't water down their RPGs to increase profits, it won't be a double edged sword.

[Crows90]

Set a low budget for the next new IP and you'll be fine.

[Knightofelemia]

I am not holding my breath with ME Andromeda was a mess. When the new ME comes out I will have to look over the game before I commit to it.

[BrainSyphoned]

Bioware is nothing but a name. I doubt they even have the development chops to make a game as good as Anthem anymore.

[Rebel_Scum]

Bioware at this stage are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

[jznrpg]

Make these games good before starting a new IP.
They need to get back to where they were or closer to it at least.

Most of the talent that brought us Mass Effect 1 and Dragon Age 1 are long gone.