Anthem: A Loss to the Gaming Future?
BioWare is currently focusing on their long-standing franchises, Dragon Age and Mass Effect, both of which have significant player bases. While these series hold a special place in the gaming industry, one game that BioWare tends to land in the background is Anthem. The game received mixed reviews upon its release and hasn’t had the same level of success as its predecessor’s.
The Highlight of Anthem’s Failure
Anthem was developed to be a distinct venture for BioWare, straying from the traditional RPG formats rooted in BioWare’s history. As a co-op shooter inspired by games like Destiny, it seemed to go against the gaming trend popularized by BioWare. The development was marred by numerous issues, including but not limited to, coding problems, extended load times, and a somewhat divisive combat system.
Timing and Announcements
The initial release dates and development timelines were indicative of the game’s potential difficulties. Anthem united in just 16 months, having an extended development phase certainly drawing criticisms considering its initial timeline. The updates to Anthem, termed by fans and developers as "Anthem Next," were heralded as a considerable fix but were eventually canceled by EA. The decision prompted BioWare to pivot to safer sequels of their core franchises.
What Ben Irving has to Say
Ben Irving, who played a pivotal role in Anthem and now leads Tomb Raider’s efforts at Crystal Dynamics, recently mused on the potential for rebooting Anthem. In tweets, he expressed his admiration for the game’s enduring fan enthusiasm. Irving emphasized, "Anthem still has all the potential in the world…" This revelation underscores BioWare’s realization that there is yet hope and significant fan interest in reviving and refining Anthem. Ben’s public sentiment shines a light on BioWare’s future plans.
The Future of BioWare
BioWare currently stands at a crossroads between their revered franchises and new untapped ground. Though Dragon Age: The Veilward and Mass Effect 5 are grabbing the limelight, lingering interest in reimagining Anthem signifies potential hope for the peers. Fans might find more information in those backup archives and BioWare’s plans for a new Anthem iteration, concurrently bioware and EA proceed into this imminent technology.
In the meantime, for more on EA and BioWare’s future plans, check out our list of upcoming games of 2024 and beyond. Consider joining our newsletter for weekly updates and more reactive content from the gaming sphere.
Call to Action: Stay tuned for your anticipated sequels and gaming updates from our team. Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
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