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Changes: BioWare Corporation

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{{CompanyInfobox
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{{Infobox_Company
  
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| company_name = BioWare
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|ctype = Private
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| company_logo = [[Image:BioWare logo.svg|200px]]
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|image = Biowarecorp logo.gif
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|foundation = 2005
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| company_type = [[Subsidiary]] of [[Electronic Arts]]
  
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| foundation = [[Edmonton, Alberta]] (1995)
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|hqs = {{Flag|Canada}} Edmonton, Alberta <br> {{Flag|United States}} Austin, Texas
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| location = [[Edmonton, Alberta]]
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|parent = EA Games
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| key_people = Casey Hudson, [[Game director|Director]]<br/>[[Drew Karpyshyn]], [[Writer]]<br/>[[David Gaider]], [[Writer]]<br/>[[Ray Muzyka]], [[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]]<br/>[[Greg Zeschuk]], [[Vice-President]]
  
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| num_employees = ~500 (2008)
  
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| industry = [[Software & Programming|Software & programming]]
  
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| products = [[Video games]] ([[#Games|See complete products listing]])
  
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| revenue = {{profit}} $17.482 million [[Canadian dollar|CAD]] (2003)
  
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| parent = [[Electronic Arts]]
  
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| owner = [[Electronic Arts]]
  
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| homepage = [http://www.bioware.com/ www.bioware.com]
  
 
}}
  
}}
   
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'''BioWare''' is a [[Canada|Canadian]] electronic entertainment company founded in February 1995 by [[Ray Muzyka]], [[Greg Zeschuk]], and [[Augustine Yip]]. BioWare specializes in creating computer and console [[video game]]s and has become famous for highly praised and successful [[computer role-playing game]]s such as ''[[Baldur's Gate]]'' and ''[[Neverwinter Nights]]'', both of which won multiple awards. They have also made several successful [[console role-playing game]]s: ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]'', ''[[Jade Empire]]'', ''[[Mass Effect]]'', ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'', and ''[[Mass Effect 2]]''. The former three games were later adapted for the PC, while ''Dragon Age'' and ''Mass Effect 2'' were developed and released for consoles and PC simultaneously.
  
   
  ⚫
'''BioWare''' is a Canadian electronic entertainment company founded in February 1995 by Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk, and Augustine Yip. It is based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. BioWare specializes in creating computer and console video games and has become famous for highly praised and successful computer role-playing games such as ''[[Baldur's Gate]]'' and ''[[Neverwinter Nights]]'', both of which won multiple awards. They have also made several successful console role-playing games: ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]'', ''[[Jade Empire]]'', ''[[Mass Effect]]'', ''[[Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood]]'', and ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''. The former three games were later adapted for the PC, while ''Dragon Age'' was developed and released for consoles and PC simultaneously.
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The BioWare Group of studios is now four studios (BioWare Edmonton, BioWare Austin, BioWare Mythic, and BioWare Montreal)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5497736/what-the-people-behind-mass-effect-and-dragon-age-are-trying-to-do?skyline=true&s=i |title=What The People Behind Mass Effect And Dragon Age Are Trying To Do |author=Stephen Totilo |publisher=Kotaku |date=March 10, 2010 |accessdate=July 7, 2010}}</ref> comprising the RPG/MMO Group within [[Electronic Arts]], with Muzyka, EA Senior VP and the Group General Manager and Zeschuk EA VP and Group Creative Officer of the BioWare Group; Yip left in early 1997 to return to medicine. Other senior leaders in the BioWare Group (RPG/MMO Group) of [[Electronic Arts]] are Rob Denton (EA VP and Group Operations Officer of the BioWare Group), Patrick Buechner (EA VP and Group Marketing Officer of the BioWare Group), Gordon Walton and Rich Vogel (EA VPs and co-General Managers of BioWare Austin), Aaryn Flynn (EA VP and General Manager of BioWare Edmonton), Eugene Evans (EA VP and General Manager of BioWare Mythic, in Fairfax, Virginia), and Yanick Roy (Studio Director of BioWare Montreal).
  
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Muzyka and Zeschuk are currently the studio heads of BioWare, with Muzyka the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer and Zeschuk the Vice-President, Development Operations of BioWare; Yip left in early 1997 to return to medicine.
   
 
==Company history==
  
==Company history==
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BioWare was established in February [[1995]] by Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk, and Augustine Yip, who had graduated together from medical school at the [[University of Alberta]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Alberta Inventors and Inventions - Dr. Ray Muzyka & Dr. Greg Zeschuk |url= http://www.abheritage.ca/abinvents/inventors/muzykaandzeschuk_biography.htm |publisher= Heritage Community Foundation |date= 2003 |accessdate= June 22, 2009}}</ref> Its first game was released the following year. During its ten years as an independent company, BioWare developed [[Shattered Steel]], the [[Baldur's Gate (series)|Baldur's Gate series]], [[MDK2]], [[Neverwinter Nights]], [[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]], and [[Jade Empire]]. It had publishing relationships with [[Interplay]] (through [[Black Isle Studios]]), [[Infogrames]]/[[Atari, Inc. (Infogrames subsidiary)|Atari]], [[LucasArts]], and [[Microsoft]].
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BioWare was established in February 1995 by Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk, and Augustine Yip, who had graduated together from medical school at the University of Alberta. Its first game was released the following year. During its ten years as an independent company, BioWare developed Shattered Steel, the [[Baldur's Gate (series)|Baldur's Gate series]], ''[[MDK 2]]'',''[[Neverwinter Nights]]'', ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]'', and ''[[Jade Empire]]''. It had publishing relationships with [[Interplay]] (through [[Black Isle Studios]]), [[Infogrames]]/[[Atari, Inc.|Atari]], [[LucasArts]], and [[Microsoft Corporation]].
   
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The next few years saw a number of changes in BioWare's corporate status. In November 2005, it was announced that BioWare and [[Pandemic Studios]] (itself founded by former [[Activision]] employees) would be joining forces, with private equity fund [[Elevation Partners]] investing in the partnership. On October 11, 2007, however, it was announced that this new partnership (organized as VG Holding Corp) had been bought by [[Electronic Arts]].<ref>{{cite web |first= Patrick |last= Klepek |title= EA Acquires BioWare, Pandemic |url= http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3163607 |publisher= [[1UP.com]] |date= October 11, 2007 |accessdate= June 14, 2009}}</ref> BioWare therefore became a unit of EA, but retained its own branding.
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The next few years saw a number of changes in BioWare's corporate status. In November 2005, it was announced that BioWare and [[Pandemic Studios]] (itself founded by former [[Activision]] employees) would be joining forces, with private equity fund Elevation Partners investing in the partnership. On October 11, 2007, however, it was announced that this new partnership (organised as VG Holding Corp) had been bought by [[Electronic Arts]]. BioWare therefore became a unit of EA, but retained its own branding.
   
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In 2007, BioWare released the science fiction RPG ''[[Mass Effect]]''. The following year, BioWare released ''[[Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood]]'' on the [[Nintendo DS]], its first title for a [[handheld game console]]. Near the end of 2009, BioWare released the fantasy RPG ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'', and in January 2010 ''[[Mass Effect 2]]''.
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In 2007, BioWare released the science fiction RPG [[Mass Effect]]. The following year, BioWare released ''[[Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood]]'' on the [[Nintendo DS]], its first title for a [[handheld game console]]. Near the end of 2009, BioWare released the fantasy RPG ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'', and in January 2010 ''[[Mass Effect 2]]''.
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Recently, EA announced that BioWare would be merged with [[Mythic Entertainment]], another devision of EA, so that they could have all of their RPG games in one company.
 
   
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BioWare is currently working on at least four further projects. The [[MMORPG]] ''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]'' will be based on BioWare's previous contribution to the [[Star Wars]] franchise<ref>{{cite web |first= AJ |last= Glasser |title= Star Wars: The Old Republic – What We Know So Far |url= http://kotaku.com/5066929/star-wars-the-old-republic--what-we-know-so-far |publisher= Kotaku |date= October 22, 2008 |accessdate= June 14, 2009}}</ref>, and was announced on 21 October 2008, although BioWare had first mentioned an unspecified new collaboration with [[LucasArts]] in October the previous year.<ref>[http://www.lucasarts.com/company/release/news20071030.html LucasArts.com | LucasArts and BioWare Corp. to Create Ground-Breaking Interactive Entertainment Product]</ref> The other projects are a sequel to Dragon Age: Origins, Mass Effect 3 and an additional project about which no details have yet been revealed.<ref name="UnannouncedGame">[http://www.actiontrip.com/previews/360/masseffect_i_2.phtml ActionTrip Mass Effect Interview]</ref><ref name="ME3p">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ray-muzyka-biowares-illusive-man-live-q-and-a|title=BioWare's Illusive Man Live QA|last=Purchese|first=Robert|date=28 January 2010|publisher=Eurogamer.net|accessdate=2 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/bioware-says-dragon-age-2-to-look-super-hot/ |title=BioWare says Dragon Age 2 to look 'super hot' |author=James Ransom-Wiley |publisher=Joystiq |date=January 29, 2010 |accessdate=July 7, 2010}}</ref>
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BioWare is currently working on at least four further projects. The MMORPG ''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]'' will be based on BioWare's previous contribution to the Star Wars franchise, and was announced on 21 October 2008, although BioWare had first mentioned an unspecified new collaboration with LucasArts in October the previous year. The other projects are ''[[Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening]]'', Mass Effect 3 and an additional project about which no details have yet been revealed.
   
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The growth of the RPG/MMO Group as part of Electronic Arts in 2008+ has resulted in three additional studios being added to the BioWare Group outside BioWare's original home base in Edmonton. The first, located in [[Austin, Texas]] and headed by industry veterans [[Gordon Walton]] and [[Richard Vogel]], was created to work on the Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG project. Both the studio and the project were announced on March 13, 2006. On March 2, 2009, BioWare announced it had opened a new studio in [[Montreal, Quebec]] to assist with existing projects as necessary.<ref>{{cite web |first= Tor |last= Thorsen |title= BioWare Mass-ing Montreal devs |url= http://www.gamespot.com/news/6205477.html |publisher= [[Gamespot]] |date= March 2, 2009 |accessdate= June 22, 2009}}</ref> In 2009 [[Mythic Entertainment]], based in Fairfax, Virginia, became part of the RPG/MMO Group, later being renamed BioWare Mythic in early 2010.
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The growth of the company has resulted in two new studios being opened outside BioWare's home in Edmonton. The first, located in Austin and headed by industry veterans Gordon Walton and Richard Vogel, was created to work on the MMORPG project. Both the studio and the project were announced on March 13, 2006. On March 2, 2009, BioWare announced it had opened a new studio in Montreal, Quebec to assist with existing projects as necessary.
   
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[[Electronic Arts]] announced on June 24, 2009, that they are restructuring their RPG and MMO games development into a new group that includes both [[Mythic Entertainment]] and BioWare. This newly formed team (now called the BioWare Group) will be led by Ray Muzyka, co-founder and General Manager of BioWare. With this change, Muzyka becomes Group General Manager of the new RPG/MMO studio group. BioWare’s other co-founder, Greg Zeschuk, will become Group Creative Officer for the new RPG/MMO studio group. Rob Denton will step up as General Manager of Mythic and report to Muzyka, later becoming Group Operations Officer of the new Group. BioWare’s studios remain unchanged and continue to report to Muzyka.<ref>{{cite web |title= Bioware and Mythic Form New MMO/RPG Group |url= http://forums.warhammeronline.com/warhammer/board/message?board.id=dev_discussions&thread.id=2509 |publisher= [[Mythic]] |date= June 24, 2009 |accessdate= July 18, 2009}}</ref>
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[[Electronic Arts]] announced on June 24, 2009, that they are restructuring their RPG and MMO games development into a new group that includes both Mythic and BioWare. This newly formed team will be led by Ray Muzyka, co-founder and General Manager of BioWare. With this change, Ray becomes Group General Manager of the new RPG/MMO studio group. BioWare’s other co-founder, Greg Zeschuk will become Group Creative Officer for the new RPG/MMO studio group. Rob Denton will step up as General Manager of Mythic and report to Ray. BioWare’s studios remain unchanged and continue to report to Ray.
   
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==Games==
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The company announced that it would be opening up a new customer service office in [[Galway]], Ireland, in 2011.<ref>[http://www.insideireland.ie/index.cfm/section/news/ext/electronicarts001/category/1084 Electronic Arts to create 200 jobs in Galway]</ref>
  
   
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{| class="wikitable" style="width: 50em; font-size: 95%"
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The company was also a starting place for other [[Alberta|Albertan]] game developers, such as being the former employer of the HermitWorks Entertainment staff. The group developed the well-received genre mixing game ''[[Space Trader]]'', which was developed under an art grant from the Canadian government.
  
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!Title
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!Release year
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==Games==
  
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!Notes
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[[Image:Bioware-1995.png|170px|thumb|right|An old Bioware logo]]
  
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{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; width: 50em;"
  
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Shattered Steel]]''
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! Title !! Release year !! platform(s)!! Notes
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 1996
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|
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Baldur's Gate]]''
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| ''[[Shattered Steel]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 1996 || [[MS-DOS]], [[Mac OS]] || Some Interactive Preview discs were defective, rendering working copies very scarce for collectors and fans.
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 1998
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|
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Baldur's Gate]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 1998 || ||
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| ''[[Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast]]''
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| style="text-align: right"| 1999
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| Expansion pack to ''[[Baldur's Gate]]''
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[MDK 2]]''
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| ''[[Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 1999 || ||expansion pack to ''Baldur's Gate''
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2000
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|
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn]]''
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| ''[[MDK2]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2000 || [[Dreamcast]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[WiiWare]] ||Sequel to [[MDK]]''
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2000
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|
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2000 || ||
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| ''[[Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal]]''
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| style="text-align: right"| 2001
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| Expansion pack to ''[[Baldur's Gate II]]''
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Neverwinter Nights]]''
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| ''[[Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2001 || ||expansion pack to ''Baldur's Gate II''
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2002
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|
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Neverwinter Nights]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2002 || [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Linux]], [[Mac OS X]] ||
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| ''[[Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide]]''
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| style="text-align: right"| 2003
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| Expansion pack to ''[[Neverwinter Nights]]''
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark]]''
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| ''[[Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2003 || [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Linux]], [[Mac OS X]] ||expansion pack to ''Neverwinter Nights''
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2003
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| Expansion pack to ''[[Neverwinter Nights]]''
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]''
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| ''[[Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2003 || [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Linux]], [[Mac OS X]] ||expansion pack to ''Neverwinter Nights''
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2003
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|
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Jade Empire]]''
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| ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2003 || ||
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2005
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|
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Mass Effect]]''
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| ''[[Jade Empire]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2005 || [[Xbox]], [[Microsoft Windows XP|Windows XP]], [[Xbox 360]], [[Mac OS X]] ||
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2007
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|
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood]]''
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| ''[[Mass Effect]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2007 || [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Xbox 360]] ||
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2008
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|
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Mass Effect Galaxy]]''
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| ''[[Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2008 || ||
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2009
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|
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''
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| ''[[Mass Effect Galaxy]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2009 || ||
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2009
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|
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Mass Effect 2]]''
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| ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2009 || [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]], [[Mac OS X]] || Described as being a spiritual successor to their ''[[Baldur's Gate (series)|Baldur's Gate]]'' series of games.
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2010
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| January 26, 2010
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening]]''
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| ''[[Mass Effect 2]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2010 || [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]] ||
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2010
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| March 16, 2010 - expansion pack to ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]''
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| ''[[Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening]]'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2010 || [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]] || Expansion pack to ''Dragon Age: Origins'' <ref>[http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/105/1058169p1.html Dragon Age: Origins -- Awakening Announced]</ref>
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2011
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|
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Dragon Age II]]''
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| ''[[Star Wars: The Old Republic]]''<ref>[http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=12255&sid=f8c25f44a880a10fca674ae7fc2dbefd E3 2008: Knights of the Old Republic MMO on the way]</ref> || style="text-align: center;" | Q1 / Q2 2011 || [[Microsoft Windows]] ||in-development
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2011
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|
 
|-
  
|-
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| ''[[Mass Effect 3]]''
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| ''[[Dragon Age 2]]''<ref>[http://www.n4g.com/pc/News-390633.aspx Mass Effect 2 DLC and Dragon Age 2]</ref> || style="text-align: center;" | 2011 || [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]] ||in-development
  
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| style="text-align: right"| 2012
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|-
  
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| March 6, 2012
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| ''Mass Effect 3'' || style="text-align: center;" | 2011-2013 || ||in-development<ref>>[http://terminalgamer.com/2010/02/09/new-mass-effect-coming-in-2011/ New Mass Effect Coming In 2011]</ref>
  
 
|}
  
|}
   
 
==Engines==
  
==Engines==
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BioWare created the [[Infinity Engine]], which was used as a core component for development of [[2D computer graphics|2D]] computer [[role-playing game]]s based on ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', such as ''[[Baldur's Gate series|Baldur's Gate]]'' and ''[[Icewind Dale (series)|Icewind Dale]]''. For their game ''[[Neverwinter Nights]]'', launched in 2002, BioWare developed the [[Aurora Engine]], the basis for a number of successful computer and console 3D RPGs thereafter.
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BioWare created the Infinity Engine, which was used as a core component for development of 2D computer role-playing games based on ''Dungeons & Dragons'', such as ''[[Baldur's Gate]]'' and ''[[Icewind Dale]]''. For their game ''[[Neverwinter Nights]]'', launched in 2002, BioWare developed the Aurora Engine, the basis for a number of successful computer and console 3D RPGs thereafter.
   
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''Neverwinter Nights'' shipped with a number of tools allowing users to create their own role-playing adventures for single and multiplayer online. The tools, using the Aurora Engine, have been adapted to many forms of gameplay and storytelling, with thousands of amateur and professional modules available on various web sites; some released for sale as premium content. ''Neverwinter Nights'' was a pioneering example of user-created game content commercially supported and distributed over the [[internet]].
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''[[Neverwinter Nights]]'' shipped with a number of tools allowing users to create their own role-playing adventures for single and multiplayer online. The tools, using the Aurora Engine, have been adapted to many forms of gameplay and storytelling, with thousands of amateur and professional modules available on various web sites; some released for sale as premium content. ''[[Neverwinter Nights]]'' was a pioneering example of user-created game content commercially supported and distributed over the internet.
   
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The [[Odyssey Engine]] was developed for the [[Personal computer|PC]] and [[Xbox]] game ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]'', which was based on the Aurora Engine. BioWare has recently developed the Eclipse Engine (a next generation RPG engine) for the game ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.
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The Odyssey Engine was developed for the PC and Xbox game ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]'', which was based on the Aurora Engine. BioWare has recently developed the Eclipse Engine (a next generation RPG engine) for the game ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.
   
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After years of working with licensed content, particularly from the ''D&D'' world, BioWare began efforts to develop their own original, independent universes and franchises. ''[[Jade Empire]]'' was a step in this direction, as are their current projects: the RPG series ''[[Mass Effect]]'' for [[Xbox 360]] and [[Microsoft Windows|PC]], which utilizes the third version of the [[Unreal Engine technology|Unreal Engine]].
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After years of working with licensed content, particularly from the ''D&D'' world, BioWare began efforts to develop their own original, independent universes and franchises. ''Jade Empire'' was a step in this direction, as are their current projects: the multi-platform RPG ''Dragon Age: Origins'' and ''Mass Effect'' for Xbox 360 and PC, which utilizes the third version of the Unreal Engine.
   
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BioWare maintained a limited oversight on [[Obsidian Entertainment]]'s development of ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2]]'' and ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]''.
 +
BioWare maintained a limited oversight on Obsidian Entertainment's development of ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2]]'' and ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]''.
   
 
===Aurora Engine===
  
===Aurora Engine===
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The Aurora Engine was the [[3D computer graphics|3D]] successor to BioWare's earlier, [[2D computer graphics|2D]] game engine, called the [[Infinity Engine]].<ref name="Hexus">{{cite web |first= Jo |last= Shields |title= The new night |url= http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=411 |publisher= HEXUS.net |date= 27 August 2002 |accessdate= 13 May 2009 }}</ref> The engine allows for [[Real-time computer graphics|real-time]] lighting and shadows, as well as [[surround sound]].<ref name="Hexus" /> The first game released using the Aurora Engine was ''Neverwinter Nights'', and included an accompanying "[[Aurora toolset]]" for users to create their own content. The sequel, ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2]]'', developed by [[Obsidian Entertainment]], features an updated version of BioWare's engine named the [[Electron engine]]. ''Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic'' and ''Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords'' (from Obsidian Entertainment) use an updated version of the Aurora Engine called the [[Odyssey Engine]]. Aurora was also used by [[CD Projekt|CD Projekt Red]] in their game ''[[The Witcher (video game)|The Witcher]]'', although the rendering engine was written from scratch.
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The Aurora Engine was the 3D successor to BioWare's earlier, 2D game engine, called the Infinity Engine. The engine allows for real-time lighting and shadows, as well as surround sound.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Hexus_13-1">[14]</sup> The first game released using the Aurora Engine was ''Neverwinter Nights'', and included an accompanying "Aurora toolset" for users to create their own content. The sequel, ''Neverwinter Nights 2'', developed by Obsidian Entertainment, features an updated version of BioWare's engine named the Electron engine. ''Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic'' and ''Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords'' (from [[Obsidian Entertainment]]) use an updated version of the [[Aurora Engine]] called the [[Odyssey Engine]]. Aurora was also used by CD Projekt Red in their game ''The Witcher'', although the rendering engine was written from scratch.
   
 
===Third party games using BioWare engines===
  
===Third party games using BioWare engines===
−
Infinity Engine:
 +
====[[Infinity Engine]]====
 
* ''[[Planescape: Torment]]'' (1999)
  
* ''[[Planescape: Torment]]'' (1999)
 
* ''[[Icewind Dale]]'' (2000)
  
* ''[[Icewind Dale]]'' (2000)
 
** ''[[Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter]]'' (2001)
  
** ''[[Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter]]'' (2001)
−
** ''[[Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter#Trials of the Luremaster|Icewind Dale: Trials of the Luremaster]]'' (2001)
 +
** ''[[Icewind Dale: Trials of the Luremaster]]'' (2001)
 
* ''[[Icewind Dale II]]'' (2002)
  
* ''[[Icewind Dale II]]'' (2002)
   
−
Odyssey Engine:
 +
====[[Odyssey Engine]]====
 
* ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]'' (2004)
  
* ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]'' (2004)
   
−
Aurora Engine:
 +
====[[Aurora Engine]]====
 
* ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2]]'' (2006)
  
* ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2]]'' (2006)
 
** ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer]]'' (2007)
  
** ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer]]'' (2007)
 
** ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir]]'' (2008)
  
** ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir]]'' (2008)
 
** ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate]]'' (2009)
  
** ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate]]'' (2009)
−
* ''[[The Witcher (computer game)|The Witcher]]'' (2007)
 +
* ''[[The Witcher]]'' (2007)
   
 
==Awards==
  
==Awards==
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In addition to numerous game awards, the company has been awarded with a number of business related awards:
 +
In addition to numerous game awards, the company has been awarded with a number of business-related awards:
  +
 
* Profit 100 – Canada's Fastest Growing Companies 2005 (Rank 81)
  
* Profit 100 – Canada's Fastest Growing Companies 2005 (Rank 81)
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* In October 2008, Bioware was named one of [[Alberta's Top Employers]] by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the [[Calgary Herald]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/story.html?id=02b19397-2fdf-4039-ba29-b93eaf908adb|title=Calgary Herald, "Alberta’s top 40 places to work”, October 18, 2008}}</ref> and the [[Edmonton Journal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/story.html?id=5bc8514a-b0eb-4538-bab4-a63f11f51a16|title=Edmonton Journal, "Alberta's best focus on attracting, keeping staff", October 31, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eluta.ca/top-employer-bioware|title=Reasons for Selection, 2009 Alberta's Top Employers competition}}</ref>
 +
* In October 2008, Bioware was named one of Alberta's Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the Calgary Herald and the Edmonton Journal.
   
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The full list of awards can be found on their web site.<ref>[http://www.bioware.com/bioware_info/awards/ BioWare: BioWare Corporate And Community Awards<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
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The full list of awards can be found on their website.
   
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==See also==
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==External Links==
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* [[Black Isle Studios]]
  
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* [[Obsidian Entertainment]]
  
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==References==
  
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{{reflist|2}}
  
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==External links==
  
 
*[http://www.bioware.com/ BioWare]
  
*[http://www.bioware.com/ BioWare]
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*[http://www.mobygames.com/company/bioware-corporation BioWare] at [[MobyGames]]
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*[http://www.mobygames.com/company/bioware-corporation BioWare] at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MobyGames MobyGames]
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{{Bioware games}}
  
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Latest revision as of 04:42, 20 January 2021


BioWare is a Canadian electronic entertainment company founded in February 1995 by Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk, and Augustine Yip. It is based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. BioWare specializes in creating computer and console video games and has become famous for highly praised and successful computer role-playing games such as Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights, both of which won multiple awards. They have also made several successful console role-playing games: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire, Mass Effect, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, and Dragon Age: Origins. The former three games were later adapted for the PC, while Dragon Age was developed and released for consoles and PC simultaneously.

Muzyka and Zeschuk are currently the studio heads of BioWare, with Muzyka the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer and Zeschuk the Vice-President, Development Operations of BioWare; Yip left in early 1997 to return to medicine.

Company history[ | ]

BioWare was established in February 1995 by Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk, and Augustine Yip, who had graduated together from medical school at the University of Alberta. Its first game was released the following year. During its ten years as an independent company, BioWare developed Shattered Steel, the Baldur's Gate series, MDK 2,Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Jade Empire. It had publishing relationships with Interplay (through Black Isle Studios), Infogrames/Atari, LucasArts, and Microsoft Corporation.

The next few years saw a number of changes in BioWare's corporate status. In November 2005, it was announced that BioWare and Pandemic Studios (itself founded by former Activision employees) would be joining forces, with private equity fund Elevation Partners investing in the partnership. On October 11, 2007, however, it was announced that this new partnership (organised as VG Holding Corp) had been bought by Electronic Arts. BioWare therefore became a unit of EA, but retained its own branding.

In 2007, BioWare released the science fiction RPG Mass Effect. The following year, BioWare released Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood on the Nintendo DS, its first title for a handheld game console. Near the end of 2009, BioWare released the fantasy RPG Dragon Age: Origins, and in January 2010 Mass Effect 2.

BioWare is currently working on at least four further projects. The MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic will be based on BioWare's previous contribution to the Star Wars franchise, and was announced on 21 October 2008, although BioWare had first mentioned an unspecified new collaboration with LucasArts in October the previous year. The other projects are Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening, Mass Effect 3 and an additional project about which no details have yet been revealed.

The growth of the company has resulted in two new studios being opened outside BioWare's home in Edmonton. The first, located in Austin and headed by industry veterans Gordon Walton and Richard Vogel, was created to work on the MMORPG project. Both the studio and the project were announced on March 13, 2006. On March 2, 2009, BioWare announced it had opened a new studio in Montreal, Quebec to assist with existing projects as necessary.

Electronic Arts announced on June 24, 2009, that they are restructuring their RPG and MMO games development into a new group that includes both Mythic and BioWare. This newly formed team will be led by Ray Muzyka, co-founder and General Manager of BioWare. With this change, Ray becomes Group General Manager of the new RPG/MMO studio group. BioWare’s other co-founder, Greg Zeschuk will become Group Creative Officer for the new RPG/MMO studio group. Rob Denton will step up as General Manager of Mythic and report to Ray. BioWare’s studios remain unchanged and continue to report to Ray.

Games[ | ]

Title Release year Notes
Shattered Steel 1996
Baldur's Gate 1998
Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast 1999 Expansion pack to Baldur's Gate
MDK 2 2000
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn 2000
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal 2001 Expansion pack to Baldur's Gate II
Neverwinter Nights 2002
Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide 2003 Expansion pack to Neverwinter Nights
Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark 2003 Expansion pack to Neverwinter Nights
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2003
Jade Empire 2005
Mass Effect 2007
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood 2008
Mass Effect Galaxy 2009
Dragon Age: Origins 2009
Mass Effect 2 2010 January 26, 2010
Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening 2010 March 16, 2010 - expansion pack to Dragon Age: Origins
Star Wars: The Old Republic 2011
Dragon Age II 2011
Mass Effect 3 2012 March 6, 2012

Engines[ | ]

BioWare created the Infinity Engine, which was used as a core component for development of 2D computer role-playing games based on Dungeons & Dragons, such as Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale. For their game Neverwinter Nights, launched in 2002, BioWare developed the Aurora Engine, the basis for a number of successful computer and console 3D RPGs thereafter.

Neverwinter Nights shipped with a number of tools allowing users to create their own role-playing adventures for single and multiplayer online. The tools, using the Aurora Engine, have been adapted to many forms of gameplay and storytelling, with thousands of amateur and professional modules available on various web sites; some released for sale as premium content. Neverwinter Nights was a pioneering example of user-created game content commercially supported and distributed over the internet.

The Odyssey Engine was developed for the PC and Xbox game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, which was based on the Aurora Engine. BioWare has recently developed the Eclipse Engine (a next generation RPG engine) for the game Dragon Age: Origins.

After years of working with licensed content, particularly from the D&D world, BioWare began efforts to develop their own original, independent universes and franchises. Jade Empire was a step in this direction, as are their current projects: the multi-platform RPG Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect for Xbox 360 and PC, which utilizes the third version of the Unreal Engine.

BioWare maintained a limited oversight on Obsidian Entertainment's development of Neverwinter Nights 2 and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords.

Aurora Engine[ | ]

The Aurora Engine was the 3D successor to BioWare's earlier, 2D game engine, called the Infinity Engine. The engine allows for real-time lighting and shadows, as well as surround sound.[14] The first game released using the Aurora Engine was Neverwinter Nights, and included an accompanying "Aurora toolset" for users to create their own content. The sequel, Neverwinter Nights 2, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, features an updated version of BioWare's engine named the Electron engine. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (from Obsidian Entertainment) use an updated version of the Aurora Engine called the Odyssey Engine. Aurora was also used by CD Projekt Red in their game The Witcher, although the rendering engine was written from scratch.

Third party games using BioWare engines[ | ]

Infinity Engine[ | ]

Odyssey Engine[ | ]

  • Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (2004)

Aurora Engine[ | ]

Awards[ | ]

In addition to numerous game awards, the company has been awarded with a number of business-related awards:

  • Profit 100 – Canada's Fastest Growing Companies 2005 (Rank 81)
  • In October 2008, Bioware was named one of Alberta's Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the Calgary Herald and the Edmonton Journal.

The full list of awards can be found on their website.

External Links[ | ]

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