Well, now RPG's are headed toward the crapper..........

Rockbuff · 03-10-03, 02:03 PM

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...n.php?id=88431

EXCLUSIVE: MICROSOFT SET FOR BIOWARE SWOOP?

Has Bill Gates' money mountain secured the services of yet another big name?

18:40 Microsoft is in the process of acquiring acclaimed Canadian developer BioWare, according to internal sources operating at the highest levels. Compelling evidence has been brought to our attention which suggests that the deal was almost certainly in place before last Christmas, and current chatter points to the acquisition being announced towards E3.
A highly placed inside source told us: "There was definitely a press release drafted by Microsoft for the deal before Christmas. It basically announced the fact that Microsoft had acquired BioWare - it was all ready to go."

The reason for the delay in announcing the deal is unclear and may indicate that there are further legal matters to be worked through or that the acquisition may have run into unspecified difficulties. Another possibility is that BioWare is currently working on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic for LucasArts, and depending on what type of deal BioWare has with the publisher, this may have hold up the process.

Microsoft itself refused to shed any light on the situation, stating "This is a rumour and we don't comment on rumours," while a spokesperson for BioWare would only offer a terse "No comment."

The move would certainly make perfect sense for Microsoft. BioWare is a highly-respected developer with an excellent reputation, responsible for big-name titles like Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The developer is also working on two secret titles, one for Xbox and one for PC.

We can also reveal that BioWare is also currently involved in a mentor system, whereby it gives certain intellectual properties to independent developers and offers funding to nurture the project. It is currently unclear how this mentor scheme would be affected by the acquisition, if it does go ahead.

The fact that a press release was already written internally at Microsoft last year, proves that it was thought to be a done deal at the time. But the current status of the situation is unclear. If the deal is still on, Microsoft is likely to make the announcement soon. We'll keep you fully updated on all developments in this matter. Meantime, feel the power of Microsoft's cash.

TsR-RareAir23 · 03-10-03, 02:19 PM

I wouldn't make such a horrible thing out of Microsoft acquring BioWare. Dungeon Siege, a Microsoft RPG by GPG is a great game and the Asheron's Call series isn't all that bad a game either even though I wouldn't be caught dead playing AC. That's simply because I don't have the finances for the monthly fee and to play a computer game I just paid $40+ for and then have to pay $10-$15 a month to play after the initial purchase is not the way to spend your hard earned cash as far as I'm concerned no matter how good the game is. Hopefully they'll do away with the PFP system of gaming unless they want to drop the price of the game in store to under $25 with state sales tax included. But then that's just my opinion and for many that's exactly how they want to spend their hard earned gaming dollar. For those that's fine but its just not for me. Until next time I am out!

marianozz · 03-10-03, 02:37 PM

sucks...

Kermit · 03-10-03, 03:09 PM

Here's the deal. Games are good because of the developers who make them... not because of the company that produces it.

If the developers don't like MS, they won't stay... and they will just make the same great games under a different name.

If they do like MS, they will stay, and MS will produce good games. Not becasue it's MS, but because of the developers.

sonik · 03-10-03, 03:33 PM

I don't see this as bad. It just means that game dev companies will finally have enough money to do what they want. This could very well translate into better games.

John Reynolds · 03-10-03, 03:40 PM

I agree with Kermit but I'm also worried that KOTOR will become an X-box exclusive title. Blech!

Kermit · 03-10-03, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sonik
I don't see this as bad. It just means that game dev companies will finally have enough money to do what they want. This could very well translate into better games.

COULD be bad.

If microsoft decides to use it to drive it's X-box only, and makes every game for X-box only... it would piss a lot of people off. I prefer my PC over console 9 games out of 10.

ItsNoot · 03-10-03, 03:54 PM

F*** the X-box. I'll quit gaming before I resort to playing it. BS monopolisitc POS.....

WTF do we have anti trust laws in this country for anyway?

[/anger]

sonik · 03-10-03, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ItsNoot
F*** the X-box. I'll quit gaming before I resort to playing it. BS monopolisitc POS.....

WTF do we have anti trust laws in this country for anyway?

[/anger]

Resistance is futile you will be assimilated!!

Geez such anger, calm down there fireball.Btw if you really do want to....uh...F the xbox you can but I don't think your wanger will fit in an ethernet port.

Apoch003 · 03-10-03, 04:57 PM

Microsoft is assimilating game companies in order to make directx the proprietal GL.
Resistance is futile.

marianozz · 03-10-03, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sonik
I don't see this as bad. It just means that game dev companies will finally have enough money to do what they want. This could very well translate into better games.

Actually, dev companies will finally have enough money to do what the publisher wants.

MasterBates · 03-10-03, 05:31 PM

hell, RPG's suck ass anyway.

sonik · 03-10-03, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by marianozz

Actually, dev companies will finally have enough money to do what the publisher wants.

Really what's the differance? The Game dev companies have to do what the publisher wants anyways now. They sign checks. So either way.....

John Reynolds · 03-10-03, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MasterBates
hell, RPG's suck ass anyway.

Yea, who'd want a storied adventure in which you customize your in-game avatar's skills when you could be blasting your way through halls and rooms with a rocket launcher. Again. And again. And again.

03-10-03, 02:03 PM	#1
Rockbuff Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 5,379	Well, now RPG's are headed toward the crapper.......... http://www.computerandvideogames.com...n.php?id=88431 EXCLUSIVE: MICROSOFT SET FOR BIOWARE SWOOP? Has Bill Gates' money mountain secured the services of yet another big name? 18:40 Microsoft is in the process of acquiring acclaimed Canadian developer BioWare, according to internal sources operating at the highest levels. Compelling evidence has been brought to our attention which suggests that the deal was almost certainly in place before last Christmas, and current chatter points to the acquisition being announced towards E3. A highly placed inside source told us: "There was definitely a press release drafted by Microsoft for the deal before Christmas. It basically announced the fact that Microsoft had acquired BioWare - it was all ready to go." The reason for the delay in announcing the deal is unclear and may indicate that there are further legal matters to be worked through or that the acquisition may have run into unspecified difficulties. Another possibility is that BioWare is currently working on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic for LucasArts, and depending on what type of deal BioWare has with the publisher, this may have hold up the process. Microsoft itself refused to shed any light on the situation, stating "This is a rumour and we don't comment on rumours," while a spokesperson for BioWare would only offer a terse "No comment." The move would certainly make perfect sense for Microsoft. BioWare is a highly-respected developer with an excellent reputation, responsible for big-name titles like Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The developer is also working on two secret titles, one for Xbox and one for PC. We can also reveal that BioWare is also currently involved in a mentor system, whereby it gives certain intellectual properties to independent developers and offers funding to nurture the project. It is currently unclear how this mentor scheme would be affected by the acquisition, if it does go ahead. The fact that a press release was already written internally at Microsoft last year, proves that it was thought to be a done deal at the time. But the current status of the situation is unclear. If the deal is still on, Microsoft is likely to make the announcement soon. We'll keep you fully updated on all developments in this matter. Meantime, feel the power of Microsoft's cash. __________________ "Well sir, according to the evidence, this massacre could only have been caused by ninjas".-American Ninja "The rings of Uranus are composed of organic matter"-Carl Sagan

03-10-03, 02:19 PM	#2
TsR-RareAir23 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Goleta, CA, U.S.A. Posts: 2,356	I wouldn't make such a horrible thing out of Microsoft acquring BioWare. Dungeon Siege, a Microsoft RPG by GPG is a great game and the Asheron's Call series isn't all that bad a game either even though I wouldn't be caught dead playing AC. That's simply because I don't have the finances for the monthly fee and to play a computer game I just paid $40+ for and then have to pay $10-$15 a month to play after the initial purchase is not the way to spend your hard earned cash as far as I'm concerned no matter how good the game is. Hopefully they'll do away with the PFP system of gaming unless they want to drop the price of the game in store to under $25 with state sales tax included. But then that's just my opinion and for many that's exactly how they want to spend their hard earned gaming dollar. For those that's fine but its just not for me. Until next time I am out! __________________ "If it moves, shoot it! If it doesn't move, shoot it till it does move. If it doesn't move after that then it's dead, a powerup or can't be killed (that last one means in no way that Fatal1ty and Thresh are indestructible in QIIIA)!" - The motto of the TsR clan Browncoats 4-Ever!

03-10-03, 02:37 PM	#3
marianozz Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Right here, right now Posts: 32,281	sucks... __________________ =)

03-10-03, 03:09 PM	#4
Kermit Subscriber Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rocklin, CA, USA Posts: 18,240	Here's the deal. Games are good because of the developers who make them... not because of the company that produces it. If the developers don't like MS, they won't stay... and they will just make the same great games under a different name. If they do like MS, they will stay, and MS will produce good games. Not becasue it's MS, but because of the developers. __________________ It's not easy being green SacTown Thugz: Darkadun, Dryass, Kermit, ItsNoot, Chunk_Le_Funk, noTiger, Ron Artest Launch All Zig! For Great Justice!

03-10-03, 03:33 PM	#5
sonik Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: near Seattle Wa. Posts: 3,552	I don't see this as bad. It just means that game dev companies will finally have enough money to do what they want. This could very well translate into better games. __________________ It's not so much about why, but more about because I can! Besides overkill is a relevant term. One guys overkill is another man's average. SEXAH!!!!!!!

03-10-03, 03:40 PM	#6
John Reynolds Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 4,678	I agree with Kermit but I'm also worried that KOTOR will become an X-box exclusive title. Blech!

03-10-03, 03:54 PM	#8
ItsNoot Simplified Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 23,443	F*** the X-box. I'll quit gaming before I resort to playing it. BS monopolisitc POS..... WTF do we have anti trust laws in this country for anyway? [/anger]

03-10-03, 04:57 PM	#10
Apoch003 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 26,697	Microsoft is assimilating game companies in order to make directx the proprietal GL. Resistance is futile. __________________ It's only when you look at an ant through a magnifying glass on a sunny day that you realise how often they burst into flames. -- Harry Hill

03-10-03, 05:31 PM	#12
MasterBates Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In the land of happiness, love, and peace. (Yeah, RIGHT! I live in hell). Posts: 11,428	hell, RPG's suck ass anyway. __________________ That is all the people need to know.