Shadow Realms Cancelled by EA/Bioware

[exar333]

Bummer. This looked pretty cool (and different).

http://marketrealist.com/2015/03/eas-bioware-announces-cancelation-shadow-realms/

 

[Red Hawk]

I remember when this game was announced. It didn't really grab my attention, as it's not my kind of game and not what I expect out of BioWare. Four on one collaborative play? What? I thought BioWare was, you know, an RPG developer. It reminded me of that one Command and Conquer free-to-play game that was in development in how it had BioWare's brand stamped on it for no good reason (which was also cancelled).

But...at least it was something new, I suppose. I have to wonder and the underlying politics of this game's cancellation. Dragon Age Inquisition didn't exactly make a huge impact in sales. It was very well received critically, for sure, but it wasn't a runaway financial and cultural success like Skyrim as the suits at EA might have been hoping (and, for the record, it didn't need to be to still be a great game). And unlike recent BioWare games, they've been pretty quiet about giving the game DLC. Inquisition's production values indicate that it was a very expensive game to make. Perhaps Shadow Realms' cancellation has to do with Inquisition underperforming? Or maybe not. Who knows.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Just.Make.KOTOR 3.

I have considered playing TOR, since it went FTP, for the single player content, but haven't yet, due mainly to lingering resentment (I know, get over it) that they turned KOTOR into an MMO. I just cant get used to the sound of Disney Star Wars either.

Shadow Realms sounded like an interesting concept, but I play only single player these days, so it did not really interest me. Anyway Bioware is a shadow of its former self at best. DAI was decent and technically well done, but just did not draw me in like KOTOR, Mass Effect (before #3), or DA:O.

 

[Red Hawk]

Just.Make.KOTOR 3.

I have considered playing TOR, since it went FTP, for the single player content, but haven't yet, due mainly to lingering resentment (I know, get over it) that they turned KOTOR into an MMO. I just cant get used to the sound of Disney Star Wars either.

Shadow Realms sounded like an interesting concept, but I play only single player these days, so it did not really interest me. Anyway Bioware is a shadow of its former self at best. DAI was decent and technically well done, but just did not draw me in like KOTOR, Mass Effect (before #3), or DA:O.

The thing is, all the unanswered questions that KOTOR 2 left us with have been answered with TOR. There's no point, story-wise, to a KOTOR 3 anymore. Believe me, I would have much preferred a KOTOR 3 myself over TOR, but TOR is what we have now. They'd have to throw out TOR and everything related to it in order to have a story to tell with KOTOR 3. While I'm sure some players would rejoice if they did that, you can't expect BioWare to consider that a viable option.

For my part I feel that, with regards to story and characters, Inquisition is as good as any previous BioWare game (back to KOTOR, never played Baldur's Gate). It's got at least my second favorite party cast, after Mass Effect 2. Mechanically, there are definitely some steps back from previous Dragon Age games, but there are also things it does better. A more kinetic feel to combat while still retaining the option of being tactical, expansive areas to explore, item crafting. It's still plenty of fun and rewarding to me.

 

[exar333]

I remember when this game was announced. It didn't really grab my attention, as it's not my kind of game and not what I expect out of BioWare. Four on one collaborative play? What? I thought BioWare was, you know, an RPG developer. It reminded me of that one Command and Conquer free-to-play game that was in development in how it had BioWare's brand stamped on it for no good reason (which was also cancelled).

But...at least it was something new, I suppose. I have to wonder and the underlying politics of this game's cancellation. Dragon Age Inquisition didn't exactly make a huge impact in sales. It was very well received critically, for sure, but it wasn't a runaway financial and cultural success like Skyrim as the suits at EA might have been hoping (and, for the record, it didn't need to be to still be a great game). And unlike recent BioWare games, they've been pretty quiet about giving the game DLC. Inquisition's production values indicate that it was a very expensive game to make. Perhaps Shadow Realms' cancellation has to do with Inquisition underperforming? Or maybe not. Who knows.

This is what excited me the most. Bioware has done a pretty good job with either reinventing an existing IP (KOTOR) or making their own (ME series).

In some ways, I saw this as a 'more accessible' NWN that really focused on the DM/player dynamic. It looked like a lot of fun.

I like sequels too, and would LOVE a 'real' KOTOR sequel, but we have enough franchise sequels these days; new IP(s) are always welcome, even if they are slightly flawed. Fresh is fresh.

 

[darkewaffle]

Yeah, I wouldn't say it was all that new. It was my understanding that it was essentially a DM manipulating a world around a party - except in this case it was (I think) intended to be competitive between the two entities. I would have tried it but I do think it would have been hard for it to gain much traction.

And frankly if you want story in the SW universe, SWTOR's individual campaigns are truly quite good and can be played by anyone/any account iirc. It's been a few years since I played but even now I still remember the Sith Inquisitor and Bounty Hunter ones pretty vividly. I also recall always hearing great things about the Imperial Operative story as sort of a spy-novel type experience.