Bioware + Pandemic = Merged

[EndR]

Pandemic Studios and Bioware are to be merged into a super-developer, but the new combine claims it has no publishing aspirations, and will still be working with publishing partners like THQ, LucasArts and Microsoft.

The deal has been crafted by Elevation, a VC outfit headed up by former EA chief John Riccitiello. Bioware's two founders, Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka will join Pandemic's co-founders Andrew Goldman and Josh Resnick at the head of the new company, with Riccitiello as CEO

The rest is here:
http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1499&Itemid=2

 

[Titanio]

Trivial side note, but isn't Bono involved in Elevation?

 

[MrWibble]

Trivial side note, but isn't Bono involved in Elevation?

Yeah, that's the one.

 

[rabidrabbit]

?? So he has actually made a song for the company, "Elevation" ??

 

[therealskywolf]

Not a normal merger. Studios will continue to do their own thing.

 

[Synergy34]

Sounds like a good mix. Bet they co develope a Star Wars game this gen.

 

[scooby_dooby]

Nice!!

2 of my favourite dev's, Pandemic has made some great games like Mercenaries, and Star Wars Battlefront, you pretty much know a Pandemic game is going to be good. Same with Bioware.

 

[Powderkeg]

Sounds like a good mix. Bet they co develope a Star Wars game this gen.

That is entirely up to LucasArts.

 

[Sis]

Nice!!

2 of my favourite dev's, Pandemic has made some great games like Mercenaries, and Star Wars Battlefront, you pretty much know a Pandemic game is going to be good. Same with Bioware.

I agree with this comment very much . Also, don't forget Destroy All Humans!

.Sis

 

[Inane_Dork]

Sounds like a good mix. Bet they co develope a Star Wars game this gen.

Bioware has already said they're not really interested in working on other people's IP. Hence, Jade Empire, Dragon Age and Mass Effect.

 

[scooby_dooby]

I agree with this comment very much . Also, don't forget Destroy All Humans!

.Sis

I didn't realize that was a Pandemic game, hmm, I wasn't too interested but I may as well give it a rent!

 

[robofunk]

I hope Bioware continues to be Bioware, they better not move from Edmonton.

I also hope this doesn't force them to go multiplatform. Bioware should go PS3 only if they think they can make a better game.

 

[blakjedi]

What is the management style and motives of Riccitiello? As Ceo what kind of developmental direction and control does he have?

 

[MoeStooge]

Trivial side note, but isn't Bono involved in Elevation?

I thought Sonny Bono died in a skiing accident.

 

[MoeStooge]

I hope Bioware continues to be Bioware, they better not move from Edmonton.

I also hope this doesn't force them to go multiplatform. Bioware should go PS3 only if they think they can make a better game.

As long as they keep making PC games I'm happy.

 

[Inane_Dork]

IGN has an interview here: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/664/664081p1.html

I dunno. It seems like they're trying to say both that nothing has changed and everything will be better. Well, I support the idea of independent development, so if this helps them stay independent, great. Bioware and Pandemic are both excellent developers, IMO.

 

[silhouette]

I think the 'increased production cost' rumor for the next-gen systems does have some merit. It may especially true for RPGs; people now expect much bigger and richer worlds full of more intelligent creatures. So, this translates into more work for programmers, level designers and artist which of course increases the production cost of a game.

RPGs (and probably adventures to some extent) is the closest thing to an open-ended movie. And, these two companies are two of the best game developers in those genres. It's not suprising that they can attract the investors that want to invest into movie-like entertainment.