BioWare Archives

AppWizard

March 23, 2025

Dragon Age: The Veilguard has a PC Game Pass store listing

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is now available on the Xbox app for PC Game Pass users, with a game trial accessible through EA Play. The console version does not show a Game Pass tag, while a "PC Game Pass" version is listed. There is speculation that the PC listing may have been published prematurely. The game recently joined PS Plus Extra and is expected to be available on Game Pass Ultimate through EA Play, though this process can take over a year. The game has received a perfect score of 10 and is considered one of the best video games ever made, offering nearly sixty hours of gameplay with impactful choices that shape the narrative.

AppWizard

March 23, 2025

BioWare makes a return to Dragon Age: The Veilguard with a surprise PC update, months after layoffs and a seemingly final patch

BioWare has released a new weapon pack for the PC version of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which is currently available at a 50% discount on Steam for £25. The weapon pack can only be claimed by players who own the game or purchase it before April 8. There has been no announcement regarding the availability of this content for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S users. The game had previously fallen short of sales expectations by 50%, leading to layoffs at BioWare and a shift in focus to Mass Effect 5. Additionally, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is being offered for free to PlayStation Plus subscribers.

AppWizard

March 17, 2025

2011 was an amazing comeback year for PC gaming

In the 1990s, personal computers became popular in homes, leading to a surge in gaming among children, particularly with the rise of CD-ROM technology. The 2000s saw a decline in PC gaming, attributed to piracy concerns, with notable figures expressing skepticism about the platform's future. However, in 2011, the PC Gaming Alliance reported a 15% profit increase in PC gaming, driven by a growing market in China. The open-world genre thrived on PC, with significant releases like Skyrim and Batman: Arkham City, which emphasized exploration and fluid gameplay. RPGs experienced a revival in 2011, highlighted by Skyrim, Fallout: New Vegas, and The Witcher 2, alongside BioWare's Dragon Age 2 and the immersive sim Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Indie games like Bastion and Limbo gained popularity, while strategy games such as Total War: Shogun 2 also performed well. The year 2011 is recognized as a landmark period for PC gaming, marking its resurgence.

AppWizard

March 17, 2025

KOTOR remake returns for annual tradition of reminding you it’s still alive, but no you can’t hear anything more about it until it comes back next year to say it again

Aspyr announced plans to remake Knights of the Old Republic in September 2021. The project faced significant challenges, including an indefinite delay in 2022 and a transfer of development responsibilities from Aspyr to Saber Interactive. Saber’s CEO confirmed the remake is still in development, with updates to be communicated by Disney. Saber’s Chief Creative Officer stated that everything discussed is still in development, but no substantial news is expected soon.

BetaBeacon

February 28, 2025

PlayStation Plus March free games includes Dragon Age: The Veilguard

PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers will receive Dragon Age: The Veilguard for free in March 2025, along with two other games. The game was officially released on October 31, 2024, making it only four months old. This is surprising as AAA games are not typically offered for free so soon after release. The game's early inclusion in PlayStation Plus may indicate poor sales, but it is still worth playing.

AppWizard

February 23, 2025

Hasbro is working with Saber Interactive on a ‘tentpole’ IP using Space Marine 2’s swarm tech

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has been successful for Games Workshop and Saber Interactive. Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks announced that Hasbro is collaborating with Saber on a new title based on one of its intellectual properties. Other video game tie-ins in development include a new Dungeons and Dragons game, a GI Joe game, and an Exodus game. The last Transformers game attempt was canceled in January. There is speculation that the new title could be an adaptation of the board game Risk, with a prediction that it may debut on PC in autumn 2029.

BetaBeacon

February 21, 2025

Epic Games Store mobile brings Bioware classic Knights of the Old Republic to iOS and Android

Bioware's Knights of the Old Republic Duology is now free on the Epic Games Store for mobile.

AppWizard

February 6, 2025

Skald: Against the Black Priory review

Skald: Against the Black Priory is a throwback roleplaying game that combines old-school aesthetics with modern gameplay elements. It features a polished experience that balances complexity and accessibility, with a compelling cosmic horror narrative. The game uses a unique progression system based on 2d6 dice rolls and allows for character customization primarily during creation. Combat is turn-based on a grid, with distinct tactical advantages for each class. Non-combat gameplay elements include diplomacy and skills that enhance exploration. One notable quest involves infiltrating a city controlled by cultist barbarians, allowing for strategic decision-making. The game offers flexibility in party composition with preset characters and customizable mercenaries. The worldbuilding includes a unique magic system and hints at greater cosmic horror, with writing quality reminiscent of classics like Planescape: Torment. Skald is recognized as one of the standout RPGs of the past year.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

Need for Speed is effectively on hold while Criterion musters entirely around Battlefield, but EA assures players the racer will return in ‘new and interesting ways’

Criterion Games has shifted its focus entirely to EA's upcoming Battlefield project, with a significant portion of its workforce redirected since September 2023. A smaller group remains dedicated to supporting Need for Speed Unbound, but live-service support for the game will be discontinued. EA plans to revitalize the Need for Speed franchise in the future, based on community feedback. Need for Speed: Unbound has received mixed reactions, earning a 'mixed' rating on Steam from over 36,000 reviews. Additionally, EA is undergoing organizational changes, including downsizing BioWare and refocusing it on the Mass Effect series. Criterion's contributions to Battlefield were recently showcased in a brief gameplay reveal.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

Report: BioWare is now less than 100 people strong

BioWare's workforce has decreased to fewer than 100 employees, down from over 200 two years ago. Recent layoffs have impacted key personnel, including writer Trick Weekes and producer Jenn Cheverie, as the studio shifts its focus to the next Mass Effect installment. Some employees have been transitioned to other studios within Electronic Arts. General Manager Gary McKay stated that the studio does not require full support at this stage of development and has worked to match staff with open roles at EA.