Anthem’s Success Won’t Determine BioWare’s Future | Gaming

With its upcoming sci-fi RPG, Anthem, BioWare will be doing its best to get back into fans’ good graces. The developer fell from grace following the poor reception of Mass Effect: Andromeda and many will be hoping that the forthcoming game will be a return to form for BioWare. But what happens if it ends up being a failure?

One theory that has been discussed online is that if Anthem is a failure, BioWare parent company EA will choose to shutter the studio for good. However, in a new interview, BioWare’s recently departed senior creative director James Ohlen revealed that this isn’t the case.

The veteran game developer explains that while Anthem‘s success will lend BioWare “more freedom and resources” (as is the case with any studio success), “if it doesn’t do gangbusters I don’t think that’s the end of BioWare.” Rather, if Anthem doesn’t perform well, it will be an opportunity for BioWare to “learn some lessons and apply it to the next game that comes out.”

This fail and learn strategy has already become a part of the BioWare working process following Andromeda‘s failure. In a blog post, BioWare GM Casey Hudson recognized that the studio needs to deliver “the world, character, and storytelling elements” even as the developer tries to push the boat out with new innovation and new experiences. This suggests that BioWare took plenty of notes on what players didn’t like about Andromeda and has done its best to apply that to Anthem.

Many will also note that as Anthem is a game as a service style – that is, a game that is supported with post-launch content and microtransactions – even if the game doesn’t sell well, it may still turn a profit in the long-run. BioWare has already confirmed that the title will feature seasonal content, as well as cosmetic microtransactions, and if these prove to be a hit with a significant portion of fans, even if the player base is small, the game’s revenue could be immense.

Though, those who are unconvinced by Anthem‘s potential performance will be glad that failure won’t spell the end of BioWare. While the game did initially impress when it was announced back at E3 2017, hands-on previews from critics and the E3 2018 gameplay demo haven’t quite set the gaming world alight. Lukewarm reception and fizzling hype don’t necessarily mean that the game won’t be a hit, but if Anthem doesn’t meet expectations, at least BioWare won’t be shuttered because of it.

Anthem is currently scheduled to release on February 22, 2019 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Source: Game Informer