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Giant Bomb Video Game News
Video Game News, Stories and Updates for the PS3, XBOX 360, PC, PSP, Wii, and DS
There's been some behind-the-scenes restructuring over at Electronic Arts today, with Warhammer Online developer Mythic now reporting in to Ray Muzyka, one of the co-founders of BioWare. The move creates a new RPG/MMO group.
According to the notice posted on the official Warhammer Online site, Greg Zeschuk, the other co-founder of BioWare, will serve as the Group Creative Officer, and Mythic's Rob Denton will rise to the title of General Manager, a title formerly held by Mark Jacobs. Jacobs' last day with the company was yesterday.
So what does this mean for you, the player? I'm guessing not that much. The BioWare Doctors are moving up the EA food chain and now control a larger part of the empire. But the departure of Mark Jacobs is a pretty big deal. At least that's what a former Mythic employee is relaying to Tracey John, who has a story over at Massively on that side of the topic.
Here's a bit on Jacobs:
"People are shocked and in disbelief about Mark leaving," said the former staffer. "But they're also excited to be working with BioWare. I can't even fathom Mark leaving a company he loved so much, it was his life. Personally, I can't see that this is voluntary in any shape or form."
As for Paul Barnett, creative director of Mythic and white sunglasses aficionado, there's this:
"Will he move up in the EA structure? That does raise some questions," my source said.
Considering Barnett's got ideas like this coming out of him:
...I'd say he should probably be running the whole show over there.
Be sure to read the article over at Massively for more from that source.
If this is because of WAR not being a massive hit like WoW, I think we'll see the same happen to BioWare when they try to release KotoR - something as well established as WoW can't be beaten because of the shear amount of time some folk put into that.
I wonder what they'll work on next though, wasn't Mythic a MMO focused developer - with KotoR in the works... ? Only time will tell!
Also, Paul Barnett is awesome.
No offense to bioware, I love their games, but it's not like they're really creative now. They really build greatness on the generic and expected.
As for Paul Barnett my guess and hope is he'll be bumped up the food chain to some more prominent position. I have a lot of respect and appreciation for the guy and not only is he one of the few people in this industry with a genuine and compassionate, while plain hilarious, personality but he does do great work as well. I'd hope he gets some recognition and due respect that he deserves by being promoted or shifted to an equally if not more important role within the company.
The other good thing is that atleast no job losses were announced by this restructuring. We've had quite a bit of sad news in recent closures and restructuring of game developers resulting in numerous job losses so maybe this is a sign that the economy is on the up or EA has done some clever thinking by combining these two into one.
Either way today has been a bit of a shock in terms of takeovers what with ZeniMax / Bethesda and id Software and now this. Will it ever end? Will we hear Valve has been bought out by Activision and will finally be pumping out a new Half Life game every year instead of every two? Will L4D3 be announced for early 2010? Will I ever shut up?
Will we here Valve has been bought out by Activision and will finally be pumping out a new Half Life game every year instead of every two?
Umm... call me crazy, but Valve hasn't really made a full Half Life game since 2004. The last episode was in 2007. Halo 3 came out the same time. Now a full sequel is already announced and about a year away. Half Life's next 5 hour episode hasn't even been announced.
You know, a half life episode is actually very well suited to be yearly. I don't see why they couldn't. In fact, considering the fact that they're just reusing assets from 2004 still for the most part and its more or less the same exact gameplay, they should be able to make it in less than that.
http://www.giantbomb.com/bioware/65-98/ea-merging-bioware-and-mythic-studios/35-249652/
@Luke said:
" This feels like a gewd move to me! This is probably for them to all team-up and make Star Wars: The Old Republic the only chance of being a WoW Killer. Seeing Paul Barnett in interviews, along-side the Bioware Doctors, will just be full of win. "
Warhammer Boning Party MMO for the Wii. Coming this fall.
" Paul could sell me a chocolate toaster and I'd buy it without a seconds thought. "See, because when it's done toasting, it'll be melted and ready to go on whatever you just toasted! GENIUS!
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New Resident Evil 5 Single-Player Content Starts Feb. 17
Two new story-based episodes, a bunch of costumes, and a catch-all Gold Edition package are on the way for your horror-shooting needs early next year.
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Pandemic Shutdown Leads to Office Space Tribute
If there was a TV channel called "men beating office equipment," I'd DVR every minute.
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Hands-On: Ridin' Zelda's Spirit Tracks
A few minutes with Nintendo's next DS Zelda installment.
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Most Popular Achievements (11/14 - 11/20)
As the year winds down, it's clear that one game will stand alone... well, for the next few weeks, anyway.
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Brad Pitt Plunges Into Dark Void
Pitt's Plan B production company options the film rights to Capcom's upcoming jet-packs-and-aliens adventure.
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Most Popular Achievements (11/7 - 11/13)
Oh hey, right, this thing. Sorry it's late!
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Play The Zelda Trivia Challenge, Part Two
Five more questions to tease your brain and maybe net you some cool stuff.
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Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles |
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Buzz! Quiz World |
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LEGO Rock Band |
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PSP Version |
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Modern Warfare 2 |
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Tekken 6 PSP - Nov. 24, 2009 |
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Twin Sector PC - Nov. 25, 2009 |
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Your Shape WII - Nov. 24, 2009 |
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Hello Kitty Party DS - Nov. 24, 2009 |
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Scene It? Twilight WII - Nov. 24, 2009 |
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Karaoke Revolution WII | PS3 | X360 - Nov. 24, 2009 |
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on June 24, 2009