Company News Bioware redefines dialogue system

[Vault Dweller]

btw, Morons, why is the Codex covering a console game in the news section?

Talk about moronicy. You can't even honour your own rules.

We are covering Bio, you dumbass, and following Bio's design trends.

 

[Volourn]

But, this is a xbox 360 game. Not a PC game. You have stated, quite clearly, you only cover news for the PC. You either flat out lied about that... or, you are slowly being warped into console junkies. Just admit it.

 

[Vault Dweller]

I didn't post any news about Mass Effect, I posted news about Bioware and the future of Bioware PC RPGs, which at this point mostly are ... surprise, surprise ... console ports and dual development games.

 

[Dgaider]

I would just point out that unlike Oblivion's system, which is a mini-game that uses four conversational stances to improve the target's numerical reaction value, this is just a different way to select dialogue responses -- and one perhaps better suited to a console control pad.

Instead of having the possible responses in a vertical list that you must scroll through and select, Mass Effect's system shows the possible responses (which are short and paraphrased, not pre-set) selectable off the direction pad. It means less real estate for the on-screen GUI and quicker to use.

I don't know how innovative it is, per se (and isn't it the guy who wrote the article who said that, not us?), but it's certainly something new that we're trying.

I really doubt that we would use such a system for a PC game, as it's really set up for a control pad, but I guess that would mostly depend on what the reaction to Mass Effect is. Certainly we're not using the system in Dragon Age, anyhow.

 

[Volourn]

Really? DA disproves that theory. And, you posted about an element in a xbox 360 game. Just admit it.


"I don't know how innovative it is, per se (and isn't it the guy who wrote the article who said that, not us?),"

Irrelevant.

 

[Dgaider]

Really? DA disproves that theory. And, you posted about an element in a xbox 360 game. Just admit it.

What's the problem? Obviously it's a system we're experimenting with, although in this case I think some people are making a very superficial comparison to the system used in Oblivion and jumping to the conclusion that we might be headed in that direction, dialogue-wise.

 

[Hamster]

future of Bioware PC RPGs, which at this point mostly are ... surprise, surprise ... console ports and dual development games.

Hmm...
Console ports: Jade Empire
Dual development: ?
PC games: Dragon Age, probably new MMORPG

33% is "mostly"?

 

[Volourn]

"What's the problem? Obviously it's a system we're experimenting with, although in this case I think some people are making a very superficial comparison to the system used in Oblivion and jumping to the conclusion that we might be headed in that direction, dialogue-wise."

Meh. I'm just givin' 'em a hard time. Afterall, they always claim they cover PC games only, and now they're covering a console game. Heh. :D

 

[Vault Dweller]

...this is just a different way to select dialogue responses -- and one perhaps better suited to a console control pad.

More like, better suited for a typical consoler's brain, incapable of processing large text sequences.

It means less real estate for the on-screen GUI and quicker to use.

Mass Effect: Need for Speed - Satisfaction guaranteed!

I don't know how innovative it is, per se (and isn't it the guy who wrote the article who said that, not us?), but it's certainly something new that we're trying.

God bless your innovative hearts.

Certainly we're not using the system in Dragon Age, anyhow.

I didn't imply you were. However, it's worth noting that it's the last Bioware PC only game in development, and any other PC game would most likely inherit traits of its evil console twin, no?

 

[sheek]

What we like: Everything for the E3 demo was in-engine, and the graphics are impressive. The dialogue scenes revealed characters with lifelike eye movements that conveyed real emotion. Excellent voice acting, distinctive music, and a beautifully formed world with rich, detailed environments show real promise.

What is the point of a computer game? Is it to have fun during your leisure time - an alternative to seeing a TV movie or reading a book? No. According to professional game reviewers it is to recreate reality on your PC screen.

The way the game industry is heading (as all the recent 'big hit' games suggest) you would think the objective is to turn teenagers into autistic hermits.

 

[callehe]

this would have been funny if they were joking...

 

[Vault Dweller]

future of Bioware PC RPGs, which at this point mostly are ... surprise, surprise ... console ports and dual development games.

Hmm...
Console ports: Jade Empire
Dual development: ?
PC games: Dragon Age, probably new MMORPG

33% is "mostly"?

I believe Bio has 4 titles in development, other than the MMORPG game.

http://www.bioware.com/bioware_info/about/

TITLES IN PRODUCTION
MASS EFFECT

* Mass Effectâ„¢ is an epic science fiction action RPG under development exclusively for Xbox 360. Mass Effect will be the first of a trilogy of games based on this entirely new game world being developed by BioWare. Set 200 years in the future, the game will feature an immersive storyline along with photorealistic graphics. With party-based, real-time combat and a huge cast of digital actors, Mass Effect has the potential to be BioWare best console title ever.

MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE (MMO) GAME (not yet announced)

* BioWare Austin is currently developing a new Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game.

BIOWARE NEXT GENERATION GAME #2 (not yet announced)

* BioWare has a team dedicated to a second, as yet unannounced next generation title.

DRAGON AGE

* Dragon Ageâ„¢ is a blockbuster fantasy role-playing game set in a world created and owned by BioWare. Dragon Age will offer a deep party-based role-playing experience in both single-player and multi-player game modes. Utilizing a brand new game engine, Dragon Age will feature stunning visuals with a tantalizing blend of the exploration and combat of Baldur's Gateâ„¢, the multi-player gameplay and community support of Neverwinter Nightsâ„¢, and a cinematic gameplay experience from BioWare, the developer of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republicâ„¢. Explore vast landscapes, engage in massive battles, and experience the sights, sounds, and culture of the heroic new world of Dragon Age!
* Publisher not yet announced (as of March 2005)

OTHER GAMES (not yet announced)

* BioWare has other projects in development, including cutting-edge next-generation technology development through BioWare's Technology Architecture Group and the BioWare Eclipse Engineâ„¢, and online development with the BioWare Live Team and the BioWare online store at store.bioware.com

 

[Hamster]

MASS EFFECT

Sexbox exclusive, has nothing to do with future of crpg at this point.

MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE (MMO) GAME (not yet announced)

* BioWare Austin is currently developing a new Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game.

Most likely pc exlusive.

BIOWARE NEXT GENERATION GAME #2 (not yet announced)

Its not even confirmed to be rpg.

DRAGON AGE

PC exclusive

OTHER GAMES (not yet announced)

Nothing is known at this point.

 

[Dgaider]

I didn't imply you were. However, it's worth noting that it's the last Bioware PC only game in development, and any other PC game would most likely inherit traits of its evil console twin, no?

You mean would future PC games that we haven't started work on yet inherit such a system? Possibly, I suppose, if reaction to the system was really positive. But even then it's simply a system of dialogue delivery... I'm not sure that it would bring any benefit to a PC game, per se.

-------------------

And, by the way, I would say that Bioware being primarily a console and multiplatform devloper at this point is pretty valid. We do make PC titles, but obviously it's not our focus. Not sure why there would be an argument about that.

 

[Vault Dweller]

You mean would future PC games that we haven't started work on yet inherit such a system?

I meant, the way things are going, it's safe to assume that most, if not all future PC titles would be ports or dual development titles, and thus, whatever trends Bio establishes for the consoles would influence PC titles directly. That was my point. These days, it's very hard to find a decent PC game that's not being consolized as well, even BioShock falls under that category.

It's unlikely to assume that Bio would make significant changes to PC versions, and KOTOR's interface and controls definitely don't prove me wrong.

 

[Vault Dweller]

And, by the way, I would say that Bioware being primarily a console and multiplatform devloper at this point is pretty valid. We do make PC titles, but obviously it's not our focus. Not sure why there would be an argument about that.

Exactly.

 

[Volourn]

Multiplatform is the key word there, VD...

 

[Hamster]

And, by the way, I would say that Bioware being primarily a console and multiplatform devloper at this point is pretty valid. Not sure why there would be an argument about that.

The argument was not about Bio being primarily console or pc developer, but about Bio's pc rpg projects in development at this points being mostly ports and multiplatformers. So, unless you are going to share some info about misterious unannounced projects, we have 1 port vs 2 pc games(Bio is not going to make console MMORPG, i hope)

 

[Drakron]

Cyro"whatever" is a PC game, likely one that blows away Oblivion PC requirements for 30 FPS in outdoors.

The industry is headed in 2 ways, the ones with PC massive requirements that means spending 500$ every six months or multiplataform console titles.

 

[sheek]

Cyro"whatever" is a PC game, likely one that blows away Oblivion PC requirements for 30 FPS in outdoors.

The industry is headed in 2 ways, the ones with PC massive requirements that means spending 500$ every six months or multiplataform console titles.

I disagree about always increasing spec requirements. Sooner or later they'll find out most people can't afford to upgrade every few months for a minute improvement in graphics. The market will get smaller and they'll have attract people in other ways, maybe (who knows?) by focussing on gameplay.

 

[Jon]

I disagree about always increasing spec requirements. Sooner or later they'll find out most people can't afford to upgrade every few months for a minute improvement in graphics. The market will get smaller and they'll have attract people in other ways, maybe (who knows?) by focussing on gameplay.

Maybe engines will need to become more scalable, but as long as pretty pictures sell games then much time will go into creating the visuals even if <5% of users actually get the full benefit.

 

[Johannes Teugen]

What's the problem? Obviously it's a system we're experimenting with, although in this case I think some people are making a very superficial comparison to the system used in Oblivion and jumping to the conclusion that we might be headed in that direction, dialogue-wise.

That's probably true, but with the current trend toward less and less dialog, I think you can probably see why fans of, say, Planescape: Torment would be worried about general trends. And, sadly, with there being a. 2 major RPG releases a year, fans of RPGs are forced to try and intuit trends from very small samples.

 

[Drakron]

There is something very wrong when a Hentai game ends up with more character exposition and development that a RPG.

 

[Greatatlantic]

I'm leaning towards this being a bad thing. It turns dialogue into basically another menu, and the ability to interrupt strikes me as more then a bit arcady.

Dialogue trees are about good, entertaining writing as much as they are about a means to end. This may be a better way to do the latter, but it pretty much destroys the former.

 

[Vault Dweller]

Dialogue trees are about good, entertaining writing ...

Only if you can read.