BioWare has been making games for over 25 years, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. The studio has been responsible for some of the most beloved RPG games of all time and some of the best-known franchises in the gaming industry. The teamgained notoriety with the originalBaldur’s Gategames, and from there, went on to craft further acclaimed games. Several BioWare franchises have been making a comeback in one form or another, but there are some properties whose future seems uncertain. While the developer’s major franchises are getting a new lease on life, the future of other IPs seems up in the air.
Earlier in 2021,BioWare canceled its plans forAnthem, meaning that fans will never get to play the re-tooled version of the game. WhileAnthemwasn’t the most well-received of BioWare’s games, fans were still disappointed to hear this news. BioWare is instead focusing on returning to some of its major franchises. The team is working on new games in theMass EffectandDragon Agefranchises, which is certainly great news to some. Other franchises that BioWare previously worked on are also being reinvigorated for a new generation at other studios. It’s a great time to be a BioWare fan, though some of the team’s past games and properties have an unknown future.
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BioWare’s Tendency to Move On
While BioWare has worked onsome notable franchises likeMass Effect, Baldur’s Gate,andDragon Age,the team has also worked on several one-off games. The team developedJade EmpireandNeverwinter Nightswithout working on further entries. Except forThe Old RepublicMMO, BioWare developed the singleplayerKnights of the Old Republic, while the sequel was made by Obsidian Entertainment. BioWare has shown an ability to work on one-off projects before moving on to new games.
A lot of the developer’s work continued in one form or another.Neverwinter Nightshad a direct sequel made, and eventually, an MMO calledNeverwinterwas created.The acclaimedKnights of the Old Republichad a sequel developed by Obsidian Entertainment, and BioWare worked on the MMO spin-off,The Old Republic.Some other games weren’t so lucky, withJade Empirehaving never received a sequel or any kind of follow-up. This trend seems to be continuing in the present day, with several BioWare franchises and games being revitalized where some have a future that’s harder to predict.
BioWare Properties With a New Lease on Life
One of the most notable BioWare franchises making a comeback isMass Effect.Recently, a remastered collection of the original trilogy was released,Mass Effect: Legendary Edition.In late 2020, thenext originalMass Effectgame was formally announced, accompanied by a teaser trailer. BioWare has gone back to one of its most successful franchises in a big way, much to the delight ofMass Effectfans.Mass Effectisn’t the only major franchise that the developer is pushing ahead with.
While it was never on hiatus likeMass Effectwas,BioWare is making a newDragon Agegame. The game has reportedly had something of a troubled development cycle, though multiplayer and live service elements have now been scrapped, allowing for BioWare to craft a singleplayer RPG experience. Similar toMass Effect,Dragon Agehas been one of the team’s most popular franchises and fans are happy that a new game is being made.
Even outside of BioWare, franchises that the team has worked on before are being refreshed for a new generation. One of the biggest examples isBaldur’s Gate 3from Larian Studios.Baldur’s Gate 3is currently in early accessand it has proven to be very popular with gamers andDungeons and Dragonsfans alike. While it’s unknown how much the newBaldur’s Gatetitle connects with the original titles, it’s brought success to the series after 20 years without a new franchise entry.
Nothing has been confirmed, but it has been heavily rumored thatKnights of the Old Republicis being remade for some time. Rumors have been circulating for a long time about a remake, and the latest gossipsuggests that Aspyr Media is remakingKOTOR.It hasn’t been confirmed, but fans have made it clear for some time now that they’d love to see a modern update on the BioWare classic. While these properties are progressing with or without BioWare, some IPs haven’t received the same kind of treatment.
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BioWare-Developed Titles With an Uncertain Future
Much to the disappointment of some gamers, a sequel toJade Empirehas never been made.Jade Empire2was once in active development, but unfortunately, it was canceled over fears of it not being very commercially successful. Members of BioWare have gone on record to say that a newJade Empireis never off the table, but it’s not something that gamers should get their hopes up for. While there is always a chance it could be revived outside of BioWare, it seems as though the interest in bringingJade Empireback doesn’t match fans' hopes.
The most recent BioWare game to be left with an uncertain future isAnthem.While it wasn’t particularly well-received by critics,Anthemhas a fanbase, and for those gamers it’s a shame its reboot project won’t see the light of day. It’s uncertain whether or notAnthemwill ever receive a follow-up of any kind, and it’s perhaps too early to tell after its cancellation. Developers working onAnthemhave been moved to other projects, including the upcomingDragon Age 4.Perhaps down the lineAnthemcould receive a follow-up, but BioWare has made it clear that for the moment, the focus is onMass EffectandDragon Age.
Knights of the Old Republicand its future is a bit of an edge case. While rumors have been circulating about a remake for some time, nothing has been confirmed about it despite fan desire to see the series return. AKOTORremake could make a sequel possible, but it’s all based on speculation and unverified rumors due to there being no official comment on the series in recent times.The Old RepublicMMO continues to be popular, though it doesn’t quite scratch the same itch as the singleplayerKOTORseries.Knights of the Old Republiccontinues to have a fervent fanbase, and it would be surprising if the series isn’t continued at some point.
While some fans are happy with BioWare’srenewed focus onMass EffectandDragon Age,along with the likes ofBaldur’s Gatebeing continued at Larian Studios, some are disappointed that other properties remain dormant.Jade Empiremay never see a sequel, and it’s uncertain ifAnthemwill ever be revisited.Knights of the Old Republiccould be a good choice to reboot or re-establish for the new generation, but there hasn’t been any reveals, despite all the rumors. It’s great for gamers to see BioWare’s work live on and be continued directly and by other studios, but it seems as though some properties might not receive the same appreciation any time soon.
