BioWare Could Move Away from Fantasy and Sci-Fi

[Pyode]

As awesome as Jade Empire was, I admit I think of Mass Efect first wen I think of BioWare.

Anyway, I definitely think a detective or spy story would be absolutely perfect for the BioWare RPG formula. I really hope they do something like that.

Well Jade Empire was one of their best games, and I'd hardly consider that fantasy...

How so? It may be based in a different mythology, but I would certainly still consider it fantasy.

I suppose traditionally when we think about fantasy we think about Tolkien style European mythology, but I never considered that to be a defining characteristic of fantasy.

To me, what defines fantasy is a broader use of magic, ancient settings, mythical beasts, etc. Not necessarily the specific mythology from which these things are derived.

 

[Hristo Tzonkov]

A... steam punk RPG? its kinda like fantasy, kinda like science fiction, but not...

Maybe redo Arcanum?

 

[barash]

Whatever they make, will be 'streamlined to be even more accessible to the fans and when you press a button something awesome will happen! Twice!'.

Screw Bioware, they're cutting to many corners in the name of a quicker buck. And the corners they cut are all from the RPG-part of the equation.

 

[Canadish]

As long as it isn't set during world war 2, or involves some kind of warfare that is modern.

Seconded. I'd be happy to see something new and different from Bioware, under 2 conditions:

1. They don't abandon Science Fiction and Fantasy. I love those genres.

2. They don't go for a Modern Warfare themed game to further draw in more nimrods.
It would cement them as fully corrupted by EA and I'm sick of being ordered to kill poor Middle Eastern people in games these days.

 

[Inkidu]

I don't even mind that BioWare is becoming more shooty. They still keep a lot of deceptively deep RPG elements in there. If you don't believe me play ME2 on Insanity. You start actually caring about who you take in to the fight and how they level up.

I could see them doing an alternate history for sure. Yes it's technically science-fiction (because that's where I find a lot of Turtledove books) but it's barely science fiction. Especially if technology isn't to blame for the alteration. Just make it happen that way. No excuse. It just happened that way instead of the way we've come to know and love.

 

[Radeonx]

snip

I reworded that to consider it traditional fantasy.
I'd still consider JE as branching out from the norm, which is the whole point of this topic.

 

[SageRuffin]

Well Jade Empire was one of their best games, and I'd hardly consider that traditional fantasy, so I think that they could do this well.

Jade Empire is more of a wuxia [http://wuxiapedia.com/About/The-Wuxia-genre/What-is-Wuxia] fantasy focusing solely on Oriental martial arts culture over the usual stuff, but it's still fantasy nonetheless.

However, the fact that it's based off wuxia and whatnot helps what make it my favorite BioWare game. Just wish the combat mechanics were a bit more robust. :/

Addendum: I would like to see them branch out some. Hell, many people forget that the hidden gem MDK2 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MDK2] was one of their first games. And it was great! Suffered from limited controls (on the Dreamcast at least), but it was still a fun - if frustratingly difficult - game all the same. I'd like to see something else like that.

 

[Pyode]

snip

I reworded that to consider it traditional fantasy.
I'd still consider JE as branching out from the norm, which is the whole point of this topic.

Fair enough.

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

this could be a double edge sword decision...

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

A... steam punk RPG? its kinda like fantasy, kinda like science fiction, but not...

Maybe redo Arcanum?

THIS IS GENIUS ! further deep thinking: why not doing Arcanum 2 then 3 then 4 then 5 ?

 

[Inkidu]

I would love to put Wing Commander in BiowWare's capable hands.

 

[de5gravity]

I thought of Mass Effect and Sonic not sure why I thought of Sonic.

But honestly I feel like good writing transcends "genre"; so if they say one day that they are making a platform game, or a horror game, or even a racing one! I have total faith in them to pull it off (I don't even like DA and Mass Effect, but they are good games).

You don't like them yet they are good games? ...thats a little bit odd. XP

OT; Finally got DA;O to see what the fuss is about.

Racked up 25 hours in 3 days.

Get help.

Yeah I dunno, there are a lot of games that I don't enjoy playing, but I still recognize them as good weather it's because of the it's depth, or how the gameplay is solid, etc.. I find a way to distinguish a game I find fun versus an "objectively" good game that fails to push my very specific buttons lol. Or maybe I'm just weird.

 

[WanderingFool]

A spy game by Bioware would be awesome!

I would like to Bioware create a nice FPS to, that would be amusing.

If its anything like Alpha Protocol, but with Bioware polish and story (and slightly skewed towards the older Bioware games in vain of Jade Empire and KotOR), I would probably die from the massive awegasm.

 

[rickynumber24]

Well Jade Empire was one of their best games, and I'd hardly consider that traditional fantasy, so I think that they could do this well.

Jade Empire is more of a wuxia [http://wuxiapedia.com/About/The-Wuxia-genre/What-is-Wuxia] fantasy focusing solely on Oriental martial arts culture over the usual stuff, but it's still fantasy nonetheless.

However, the fact that it's based off wuxia and whatnot helps what make it my favorite BioWare game. Just wish the combat mechanics were a bit more robust. :/

Every time I see someone bring up Jade Empire, I can't help thinking that last thing. Well, except for the fact that I'm a bigger fan of sci-fi. I just wish you could have done cooler things with the martial arts.

 

[Traun]

Actually, when I think about it. A "cop buddy" RPG would be awesome.

Make it so Bioware...

 

[WouldYouKindly]

Set something in the modern age like alpha protocol but better? It might work. I'd be interested to see what BW's writing crew would be able to do in a modern, non-sci fi setting. Interested because it's either going to be really good or completely blow.

 

[SageRuffin]

Every time I see someone bring up Jade Empire, I can't help thinking that last thing. Well, except for the fact that I'm a bigger fan of sci-fi. I just wish you could have done cooler things with the martial arts.

You know what I just thought of reading this? If BioWare managed to co-develop a Jade Empire sequel with none other than the infamous Team Ninja.

Hang on, before you bring up Other M, recall that Team Ninja made Ninja Gaiden Black, one of the best action games of the previous generation. Seriously, check this video out:


Well, of course it wouldn't play exactly like that, but think of the possibilities!

Erm... sorry. A little too much root beer.

 

[Icehearted]

I can think of all kinds of periods where they can tap into that have either been seriously neglected or not nearly well enough exploited. Mass Effect style spy adventure, Alpha Protocol kind of went there, but with better design they could strike gold. How about a steampunk Mass Effect style game? Maybe a Role Playing or adventure game set during the Victorian era? Heck, even the concept of cavemen hasn't really been all that tapped into. Greek, Egyptian, or Norse mythology, contemporary themes, There are so many ways to go that I'd kind of welcome the change in atmosphere as long as it results in something unique and special. Mass Effect re-skinned into some kind of Vietnam era strategy shooter? Who knows? Could be interesting.