BioWare

EA Merges Bioware, Mythic Studios; Inks Dr. Pepper Promo Deal

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 25, 2009 - 12:37pm.

Redwood City, Calif. - Electronic Arts (NASD: ERTS) is consolidating its Bioware and Mythic game development studios into a single unit that develops massively multiplayer titles, but both studios will keep their existing names. Mythic co-founder Mark Jacobs will leave the company; the new group will be headed by Bioware co-founder Ray Muzyka, while Mythic's other co-founder, Rob Denton, will be general manager at Mythic. EA on Thursday also announced a new multimillion-dollar marketing deal with soft drink maker Dr. Pepper. Under the agreement, special codes found on more than 500 million Dr. Pepper products will unlock exclusive content and levels on select EA titles, including The Sims 3.

Report: Arad to Produce Film Based on "Mass Effect" Game

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 19, 2008 - 12:36pm.

Los Angeles - Movie producer Avi Arad has optioned the rights to develop a movie based on "Mass Effect," the popular sci-fi game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts (NASD: ERTS), Variety reported, citing confirmation by "numerous sources." Arad previously headed comic publisher Marvel's movie business ("X-Men," "Spider-Man") and now helms his own production company, which is currently working on an adaptation of the game "Lost Planet."

EA Completes Acquisition of BioWare and Pandemic Studios

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 7, 2008 - 11:08am.

Redwood City, Calif. - Electronic Arts (NASD: ERTS) said on Monday that it has completed its acquisition of VG Holding Corp. -- the owner of both Canada-based BioWare and Los Angeles-based Pandemic Studios.

LucasArts, BioWare Partner on "Interactive Entertainment Product"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 30, 2007 - 11:40am.

San Francisco - LucasArts, the video game arm of George Lucas' Lucasfilm, announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with Electronic Arts' BioWare game studio to develop an "interactive entertainment product," further details of which will be announced at a later date. The companies previously collaborated on the game "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic." "Through our previous collaborations, we know that BioWare has an impressive ability to blend gripping stories with technological advancements, and we believe that our upcoming product will deliver an experience that will span the traditional boundaries of video game entertainment," said LucasArts president Jim Ward.

BioWare Signs Seth Green as Voice Talent for "Mass Effect"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 19, 2007 - 11:46am.

Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft Game Studios and developer BioWare said this week that they have signed voice talent including actor Seth Green ("Austin Powers," "Robot Chicken") to appear in their forthcoming game, "Mass Effect." The game is set for release for Xbox 360 on Nov. 20.

Electronic Arts to Acquire BioWare, Pandemic for Over $775 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 11, 2007 - 10:47am.

Redwood City, Calif. - Video game publisher and developer Electronic Arts announced on Thursday an agreement with Elevation Partners to acquire VG Holding Corp. -- the owner of both BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios -- in a deal valued at over $775 million.

BioWare Forms Handheld Game Development Group

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 19, 2006 - 2:32pm.

Edmonton, Canada - Video game developer BioWare announced on Tuesday the formation of a new handheld game development group, which is now hiring at the company's facilities in Edmonton, Alberta. The new unit's first project will be a title for the Nintendo DS, spearheaded by Dan Tudge, former president and founder of indie game developer Exile Interactive.

tags: Games | Handhelds | BioWare |

Career Moves: August 23, 2006

Authored by dmw on August 23, 2006 - 8:19am.

Jillian Goldberg joins BioWare/Pandemic as its Vice President of Marketing. Golberg comes to BioWare/Pandemic from EA where she was in charge of Global Marketing Strategy.

Simutronics Licenses HeroEngine to Game Devleoper BioWare

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 8, 2006 - 12:36pm.

Gaithersburg, Md. - Simutronics, a developer of multiplayer online game technology, announced on Tuesday that game publisher BioWare is the first to license its HeroEngine platform.

Elevation Partners Invests $300 Million in Merger of BioWare, Pandemic Studios

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 3, 2005 - 3:39am.

Menlo Park, Calif. - Elevation Partners, a venture capital firm whose principals include U2's Bono and former Electronic Arts president John Riccitiello, announced on Thursday that it has invested $300 million into the merger of two independent game developers, BioWare and Pandemic Studios. The deal will create a new holding company, BioWare/Pandemic Studios, which will be jointly owned by the three companies and headed by Elevation Partners managing director John Riccitiello. Based in Los Angeles and Brisbane, Australia, Pandemic will continue to develop action/adventure titles like "Full Spectrum Warrior," "Star Wars Battlefront" and "Destroy All Humans," while Edmonton, Canada-based BioWare will maintain focus on roleplaying titles such as "Baldur's Gate" and "Neverwinter Nights." "Great video games don't roll off the assembly line -- they are an art form, as lovingly crafted as a film, musical score, or novel," said BioWare CEO Greg Zeschuk. "Fans are the real winners in this deal, because we will now have the resources and creative discretion to make the right decisions for our products." Immediate plans for the funds are to utilize them in the development of titles for next-generation game consoles.

tags: Pandemic | Merger | BioWare | Elevation |