From IGN · Ryan McCaffrey · · 1m 30s
BioWare: The Best RPG Developer Ever
BioWare created iconic RPGs from Baldur's Gate to Mass Effect, ending its 31-year run.
In brief
BioWare created iconic RPGs from Baldur's Gate to Mass Effect, ending its 31-year run. BioWare, the studio behind Baldur's Gate, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Mass Effect, was the greatest RPG developer ever. Originally reported by IGN.
BioWare's Legacy
BioWare, founded by doctors Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk, created iconic RPGs over 30 years.
“BioWare is dead, and my feelings are a strange cocktail of anger, sadness, and Jack’s Complete Lack of Surprise.”
Baldur's Gate 1
Baldur's Gate 1 won IGN's Game of the Year in 1998, beating Half-Life.
“Baldur’s Gate 1 took home IGN’s Game of the Year award in 1998 … over Half-Life.”
Neverwinter Nights
Neverwinter Nights, a CRPG, was IGN's Best Role-Playing Game of 2002, behind Morrowind.
“It was the runner-up for IGN’s Best Role-Playing Game of 2002, finishing behind just one game: a little project you might have heard of called The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind.”
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was BioWare's Xbox exclusive and a top-3 Star Wars game.
“Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, which happens to be my personal favorite role-playing game of all time.”
Jade Empire
Jade Empire, a Chinese mythology RPG, received a 9.9 out of 10 from IGN in 2005.
“IGN gave it a 9.9 out of 10 (on a 100-point scale!) back in 2005”
Mass Effect Trilogy
Mass Effect, a space opera trilogy, spanned over 100 hours of gameplay across five years.
“It took the time to really let you, and your Shepard, say goodbye to the friends you’d made along the way”
Dragon Age Series
Dragon Age, a four-game series, won IGN's Game of the Year Award in 2014.
“2014’s Dragon Age Inquisition, taking home IGN’s Game of the Year Award”
Anthem and Remasters
Anthem was BioWare's live-service attempt, and Mass Effect was remastered in 2021.
“BioWare cleaned Mass Effect up nicely for an excellent remaster of the trilogy in 2021”
BioWare's End
BioWare was shut down after canceling its fifth Mass Effect game and being bought by a private investment group.
“After announcing a fifth Mass Effect game that fans hoped would redeem the series after Andromeda, that project is now canceled alongside the studio being shut down.”
Why BioWare Stands Out
BioWare created the most influential RPGs in history, spanning over 30 years of gaming.
“With respect to CD Projekt Red, Larian, and Bethesda Game Studios, there’s never been a better RPG developer over a longer period of time than BioWare.”
The main idea
BioWare, the studio behind Baldur's Gate, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Mass Effect, was the greatest RPG developer ever.
