James Ohlen leaves Bioware after 22 years

[LESS T_T]

Lead designer of Baldur's Gate series: http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,6525/



And he will focus on his tabletop RPG company: https://www.arcanumworlds.com





About the mystery writer:

We're excited to be working with one of our good friends, a very talented author who lives here in Austin, TX. Stay tuned - we will be announcing his name at a later date!

Drew Karpyshyn or Alexander Freed.

 

[Wirdschowerdn]

Bioware can now finally be put to rest.

 

[aweigh]

What's bioware

 

[Shadenuat]

Interesting how even these developers turned to be sick of their AAA work and first thing they could went to write some D&D shit in their personal time.

 

[octavius]

What's bioware

They made a RTwP version of Wizardry.

 

[Terra]

Can't wait for the shills to tell me "it's still the same BioWare" when promoting Anthem and Travesty Age 4!

 

[Roguey]

"The most fun I had with this company was back in the late 90s and early 00s"

*stays an additional 15 years*

 

[Siveon]

"The most fun I had with this company was back in the late 90s and early 00s"

*stays an additional 15 years*

Hey, money is money. Plus the safe of mind in knowing that you're probably not in danger of being fired anytime soon.

I've been getting into 5e, I'd read the sourcebook just for kicks.

 

[Fairfax]

"The most fun I had with this company was back in the late 90s and early 00s"

*stays an additional 15 years*

He spent most of that time as Project Director on SWTOR and BioWare's "Director of Design". He also directed Shadow Realms, BioWare's first project to get publicly cancelled. No wonder he misses the BG and NWN days.

 

[MRY]

I got to know James a little bit in law school when I worked on Dragon Age, and he seemed like a very good person as well as a very good leader and writer. It's a shame that he's moving on, but I'm glad it's to something that he's excited about.

 

[cherry blossom]

That's beautiful art.

Too bad it's spent on this tripe:

"The Dragonlords were the champions who threw down the titans 500 years ago and forged the Oath of Peace. But the power of the oath has waned, and the titans seek vengeance.

You are one of the heroes called by prophecy to end this conflict once and for all."

Eeeeeh, no thanks, I'll sit this one out and watch the Titan motherfuckers flatten the Earth, maybe. No? Ok, I'll pass.

 

[Roguey]

Can't take the Bioware out of the man. Muh chosen one.

 

[nikolokolus]

Good for him I guess? The only thing even remotely interesting about their project is the cartography of John Stevenson

 

[Murk]

Mystery writer from ATX eh?

Congrats sser

 

[Neanderthal]

MCA did it better, scorched earth and clenched arses all round.

 

[Bester]

It's a shame that he's moving on

How's it a shame?

You had some hopes for Bioware shovelware? Or is it a shame that he finally gets to do what he wants after years of slavery? ... ?!?!

 

[Ventidius]

What's bioware

They made a RTwP version of Wizardry.

Actually, that was Black Isle Studios.

 

[MRY]

It's a shame that he's moving on

How's it a shame?

You had some hopes for Bioware shovelware? Or is it a shame that he finally gets to do what he wants after years of slavery? ... ?!?!

Fair point.

I guess the "shame" was that a person who I found so admirable and gifted 15 years ago didn't get a more rewarding career in the interim. And I think it's a loss to the industry, both that he wasn't better utilized and that he's moving to P&P now.

 

[Zed Duke of Banville]

"The most fun I had with this company was back in the late 90s and early 00s"

*stays an additional 15 years*

Spoiler

Though technically Obsidian was a separate company from the one where Avellone enjoyed working, and he wised up after 13 years or so.

 

[Bester]

and that he's moving to P&P now.

I wouldn't be surprised if he made a P&P and then made a cRPG based on it immediately afterwards. It's a good gateway. You hire good writers and 2d artists, you get your own original & deep setting and campaigns. And then all you need is a few programmers and 3d artists to transition.

 

[Rahdulan]

I'm glad he got out at last. I mean, imagine being responsible for TOR pre and post launch.

Somebody SAAAAAAVE me.

 

[Hobo Elf]

It's a shame that he's moving on, but I'm glad it's to something that he's excited about.

But is it really? It seems like he's going to work on something where his talents will be put to better use.

 

[Doktor Best]

What's bioware

Biological equivalent to cyberware. Costs less essence and is harder to trace with scanners, but on the other hand way more expensive and not upgradeable. Has to be tailored to your DNA so no "second hand market"

 

[VentilatorOfDoom]

I'm glad he got out at last. I mean, imagine being responsible for TOR pre and post launch.

Somebody SAAAAAAVE me.

No wonder Biofail games are shit - this guy is too white. It's racism like this that's holding BioWare down from achieving true Wakanda style greatness. Just throw them all out and replace them with niggers and feminazis and cRPGs will enter a new golden age in no time.

 

[Chippy]

I always credited this guy for the tone of the original BG games, yet he is credited as the writing director of the EE's on his developer sheet - is that just a requirement by law? Because to think that he actually gave the ok to the tone and writing in SOD...