GameSpasm

Surprise! Major MMOs cost batty-bonkers-cuckoo amounts of money to produce. Eurogamer reports that Electronic Arts CFO Eric Brown said as much today, describing Star Wars: The Old Republic as the "largest ever development project, period, in the history of the company." EA is apparently betting big on having something like Activision Blizzard's World of Warcraft with The Old Republic. Brown guesstimates that WoW cost about $100 million to launch back in 2004 -- the game makes something like that now in a month.

The executive explained that the average game costs about $30 million to produce, but that "any MMO costs significantly more than that." With an expected spring 2011 release, hopefully EA will start making a return at that time on its investment in a galaxy far, far away. Otherwise, the gaping maw of the Rancor would be preferable to what investors will do.

SWTOR is EA's most expensive project yet originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Tags: Bioware, budget, Development, Ea, Electronic Arts, MMO, Star Wars, Star wars: the old republic, swtor

Related posts

• Star Wars The Old Republic dev diary: Returning to Taris (0)
• Return to Alderaan in Star Wars: The Old Republic (0)
• Star Wars: The Old Republic site launches Jedi class page (0)
• Farm moisture on Tatooine in these Star Wars: The Old Republic screens (0)
• Sleuths Dig Up Microtransaction Language in Old Republic TOS [Star Wars: The Old Republic] (0)

Surprise! Major MMOs cost batty-bonkers-cuckoo amounts of money to produce. Eurogamer reports that Electronic Arts CFO Eric Brown said as much today, describing Star Wars: The Old Republic as the "largest ever development project, period, in the history of the company." EA is apparently betting big on having something like Activision Blizzard's World of Warcraft with The Old Republic. Brown guesstimates that WoW cost about $100 million to launch back in 2004 -- the game makes something like that now in a month.

The executive explained that the average game costs about $30 million to produce, but that "any MMO costs significantly more than that." With an expected spring 2011 release, hopefully EA will start making a return at that time on its investment in a galaxy far, far away. Otherwise, the gaping maw of the Rancor would be preferable to what investors will do.

SWTOR is EA's most expensive project yet originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Tags: Bioware, budget, Development, Ea, Electronic Arts, MMO, Star Wars, Star wars: the old republic, swtor

Related posts

• Star Wars The Old Republic dev diary: Returning to Taris (0)
• Return to Alderaan in Star Wars: The Old Republic (0)
• Star Wars: The Old Republic site launches Jedi class page (0)
• Farm moisture on Tatooine in these Star Wars: The Old Republic screens (0)
• Sleuths Dig Up Microtransaction Language in Old Republic TOS [Star Wars: The Old Republic] (0)

"I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite store on the Citadel." - English

"Jestem dowódcą Shepard, a to jest mój ulubiony sklep na cytadeli." - Polish (machine translation)

In a GDC 2010 session entitled "Localizing Large RPGs," which forms part of an ongoing localization summit, BioWare localization project manager Ryan Warden eloquently explored the revered developer's process of adapting a huge, dialogue-driven game like Mass Effect 2 for alternative markets and languages. It may surprise you to learn that BioWare's processes are significantly more elegant than hiring an army of workers to copy and paste lines of text into Google Translate.

With 450,000 words and 30,000 lines of voice-over in the English version, Mass Effect 2 demanded an active approach in its translation to eight languages, including Russian, Czech and Spanish. "Trying to manage this scope is almost unfathomable," said Warden. "For BioWare titles, we don't have the luxury of waiting for the title to be fully complete before starting localization."

The concurrent process was designed to provide as much information and context to translators as possible, allowing them to focus on the job without having to request further information for each new conversation. BioWare compiled a complete localization kit, complete with a pronunciation guide (that's crow-guhn, not kroggin!), an IP glossary, a collection of translator Q&A documents and an extensive character database. "Any time that a translator spends time asking questions and waiting for feedback ... that's wasted time," Warden added. The goal, he said, was to "eliminate any doubt in the confidence of the translator."

Continue reading GDC 2010: BioWare speaks up about Mass Effect 2's localization

GDC 2010: BioWare speaks up about Mass Effect 2's localization originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments Tags: Bioware, chris-christou, gdc-2010, localization, mass effect 2, rpg, ryan-warden, translation

Related posts

• Video Interview: BioWare's Dr. Greg Zeschuk on Mass Effect 2 & 3 (0)
• The Mass Effect bible is ‘quite large,’ BioWare’s Muzyka assures (0)
• Sneak a peek at Mass Effect 2’s Infiltrator class (0)
• Rumor: Mass Effect 2 DLC details leaked (0)
• PSA: Mass Effect 2’s Zaeed DLC now available (0)

Commander's Log:

Well, whaddya know? I get up this morning and ride down to Deck 2, and the first thing outta Kelly's mouth is that I have a new message at my Private Terminal. About time -- things have been hella boring around here since beating up the Collectors! Anyway, it's from Illusive Man -- who else -- with a tantalizing subject line: "Arc Projector."

So, get this: Ol' Smoking Man says Cerberus has passed off a new "advanced electrical attack device" to me. It was recently tested on some geth during a "highly successful" skirmish in the Skyllian Verge. (I won't tell Legion that part, but "they" probably already know.)

Well, I'd sure like to test it myself, but the galaxy's awfully quiet these days -- still waiting on that Hammerhead delivery. I guess I'd better just start up that New Game+ ...


P.S. I've been feeling really homesick for Cali lately. That's where I grew up before enlisting in N7, fool.

---

The Arc Projector heavy weapon add-on is available for free to Mass Effect 2 owners with a Cerberus Network account.

In-game item description: "The arc projector ionizes targets with a nonvisible laser to ready them for a high-voltage electrical attack. As the lightning-like bolt hits its first target, a sophisticated autotargeting system paints succeeding targets with the ionization laser, allowing the electricity to take the path of least resistance and arc between them. An entire enemy strike team can be shocked to death with a few pulls of the trigger."

[Thanks to Paul & Kris120890!]

Mass Effect 2 gets free Arc Projector heavy weapon, courtesy of Cerberus DLC Network originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments Tags: arc-projector, Bioware, cerberus-network, DLC, Ea, mass effect 2, Project ten dollar

Related posts

• Schappert clarifies EA’s sweeping DLC and online strategy (0)
• Mass Effect 2’s Zaeed DLC delayed on 360, coming later this week (0)
• Mass Effect 2’s Cerberus Network: an ‘in-game pipeline’ for DLC [update] (0)
• Tons of Mass Effect 2 DLC available free right now [update] (0)
• Rumored Mass Effect 2 DLC Plans Sound Massive [Bioware] (0)

Game Informer's latest "TidBits" column features a a glorious list of "inside baseball" stats from Dragon Age: Origins. Some of the numbers are simply cute, while others are positively frightening: "QA analyst Bruce Venne played 1,957.55 hours of Dragon Age PC in 5,352 games." Consequently, "The Bruce" was awarded to staff that played more than Venne in any given month -- the honor was bestowed only once.

While the list is mostly packed with numbers, there are some notable non-numerical did-you-knows, like the staff's affectionate nickname for the Ogre, "Fluffy," and, unsurprisingly, the revelation that one of the BioWare crew makes chain mail "from scratch."

Check out the full list of Dragon Age tidbits on Game Informer.

Dragon Age 'TidBits' drop stats like a Fluffy punch originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Tags: Bioware, dragon-age, dragon-age-origins, Ea, game-informer, Stats, tidbits

Related posts

• UPDATE: ‘Return to Ostagar’ DLC For ‘Dragon Age: Origins’ Hitting Next Week? (0)
• Rumor: Dragon Age expansion ‘Awakening’ in March (0)
• Review: Dragon Age: Origins (0)
• Return to Ostagar returned to sender, conflicting title update to blame (0)
• Retailer exclusive Dragon Age pre-order bonuses revealed (0)

Later this month, Mass Effect 2 players will get access to the Hammerhead hovertank, along with five new missions for the game. Here's what the new toy looks like in action.

It's certainly more nimble than the Mako, your vehicle from the first Mass Effect, and the way those levels look custom-built around it is also promising. Less "great I just rolled off another cliff" moments.

Mass Effect fans will also notice the way the Hammerhead looks more than a little familiar, its nose shape taken from early concept design work for the Mako.

Call me crazy, but with the Mass Effect universe hurtling towards a final battle, could BioWare be testing the waters for the inclusion of tank warfare in Mass Effect 3? Some large-scale ground warfare would be a nice addition to the series, bring a little scale to its gunplay.

Tags: Bioware, Clips, Mass Effect, mass effect 2, PC, Xbox 360

Related posts

• Wait — New Game Plus Is in Mass Effect 2? [Mass Effect] (0)
• The Mass Effect 2 Launch Trailer Has It All [Clips] (0)
• The Game Industry In 2185 [Clips] (0)
• Mass Effect 2’s Soldier: The Shooter Class [Clips] (0)
• Mass Effect 2 is NOT Coming to the PS3 [Mass Confusion] (0)

BioWare's space opera epic, Mass Effect 2, is Amazon's "Deal of the Day." The Xbox 360 version is currently $40, which is $10 cheaper than you'd pick it up at your local Quarian pawn shop. A PC copy is 40 percent off, with a $30 price tag.

At that price, one could pick up Mass Effect 1 and 2 for the regular retail price of the sequel. For those who like their sci-fi soapy and their shooters refined, this is a deal worth going through the Omega 4 Relay for -- see, if you play the game, you'll know what that means.

[Thanks, Russ P!]

Amazon's galactic deal of the day: Mass Effect 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Tags: Amazon, Bioware, deal-of-the-day, Ea, Mass Effect, mass effect 2, rpg

Related posts

• Sneak a peek at Mass Effect 2’s Infiltrator class (0)
• Rumor: Mass Effect 2 DLC details leaked (0)
• New Mass Effect 2 trailer showcases the Engineer class and its killer robot (0)
• Mass Effect 2 figures feature Shepard, if not your Shepard (0)
• Mass Effect 2 cinematic trailer makes us want to skip Christmas (0)

We know that some of you are less than excited about the return of vehicular gameplay to the Mass Effect franchise -- we still have vivid nightmares about our time behind the wheel of the Mako from the original game. However, your position will probably be reversed by last night's episode of GameTrailers TV, which showed off the Hammerhead vehicle which will arrive in the upcoming "Firewalker" DLC for Mass Effect 2. It is, in a word, rad. In two words? Totally rad.

Check out Chapter Four of the episode to see the Normandy SR-2 crew's new toy in action.

Mass Effect 2's 'Hammerhead' vehicle demoed on GameTrailers TV originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Tags: Bioware, DLC, gametrailers-tv, hammerhead, Mass Effect, mass effect 2, rpg, vehicle, video

Related posts

• Video Interview: BioWare's Dr. Greg Zeschuk on Mass Effect 2 & 3 (0)
• Rumor: Mass Effect 2 DLC details leaked (0)
• PSA: Mass Effect 2’s Zaeed DLC now available (0)
• New Mass Effect 2 trailer showcases the Engineer class and its killer robot (0)
• Mass Effect 2 cinematic trailer makes us want to skip Christmas (0)

While they were first revealed in January, courtesy of a blurry magazine scan, that was no way to get a good look at DC Direct's line of Mass Effect 2 figures. This is.

The first line will feature four characters: Commander Shepard (male), Tali, Thane and Grunt. Shepard is a little...off, not just because my Shepard looks different, but because he doesn't even look much like the "standard" model in the game. The rest, though, especially Thane and Grunt, look great.

Those wondering who will feature in the second series, it'll comprise Miranda, Legion, Mordin and Garrus.

Tags: Bioware, Ea, figures, Mass Effect, mass effect 2, Merch, PC, Toys, Xbox 360

Related posts

• Mass Effect 2 figures feature Shepard, if not your Shepard (0)
• How A Trilogy Changed The Way I Roleplay: A Look At ‘Mass Effect’ (0)
• BioWare Denies PS3 Plans For ‘Mass Effect 2′ (0)
• ‘Mass Effect 2′ Review – A Wolf In Shepard’s Clothing (0)
• ‘Mass Effect 2′ Hover Tank DLC Coming In March (0)

BioWare reveals yet another new character coming in the Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening expansion pack, as the lovely knight of the Order Mhairi pledges herself to your cause.

Mhairi grew up fascinated by tales of kings and nobles, skipping out on her betrothal at the age of sixteen to join the king's army and fight for the good of all Ferelden. While the tragic events at the beginning of Dragon Age left her stunned, she's since recovered and ready to grant her sword and shield in defense of Ferelden once again.

Mhairi joins previously announced companions Velanna, Anders, and Sigrun. Out of all of them, I'd bet she'll look the best in that Blood Dragon Armor.

Tags: Bioware, dragon-age-origins-awakening, expansion, Mhairi, PC, PS3, Top, Xbox 360

Related posts

• Dragon Age: Awakening’s Latest Character Revealed Shortly [Bioware] (0)
• Blonde Dragon Age: Awakening Companions Don’t Have More Fun [Bioware] (0)
• Return To Ostagar With New Dragon Age DLC [Dlc] (0)
• Dragon Age: Origins Review: Tripping The Blight Fantastic [Review] (0)
• Dragon Age: Origins Awakens With Anders [Screens] (0)