Mythic and BioWare Form New RPG/MMO Group

[Khalus]

Ok, here we go, life has just gotten even more interesting! Now that Bioware will now be in control of WAR, I'm quite eager to see how it will change and if they can save it!
{Sorry Mark but you failed miserably so bye bye!}

Today we have important news to share with the community. EA is restructuring its RPG and MMO games development into a new group that includes both Mythic and BioWare. This newly formed team will be led by Ray Muzyka, co-founder and General Manager of BioWare. With this change, Ray becomes Group General Manager of the new RPG/MMO studio group. BioWare’s other co-founder, Greg Zeschuk will become Group Creative Officer for the new RPG/MMO studio group. Rob Denton will step up as General Manager of Mythic and report to Ray. BioWare’s studios remain unchanged and continue to report to Ray.

Mark Jacobs, current General Manager of Mythic will leave EA on June 23, 2009. We thank Mark for his contributions at Mythic and wish him the very best going forward. Mark played a major part in the success of Mythic with his contribution as General Manager and Lead Designer of WAR.

Mythic retains a strong team led by Rob who co-founded Mythic in 1995. Rob played a critical role in the development of Dark Age of Camelot. In his previous role as COO, he was responsible for all day-to-day management of the studio including all development, operations and support.

Please join us in celebrating the union of these two award-winning studios.

[Savanja]

In a surprising announcement, EA has stated that Mythic and BioWare have undergone a severe re-structuring, aligning the two studios and putting BioWare's General Manager Ray Muzyka in charge of both teams effectively cutting the General Manager position for Mythic..

Mythic's Mark Jacobs left on June 23, 2009, but it is unknown as to whether he was relieved of his position through the merge and was offered no other alternative or it was his choice to walk away from the newly merged MMOG studios.

This move brings the moderately successful Warhammer Online and the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Old Republic under one development roof and both under the guidance of a single General Manager.

Today we have important news to share with the community. EA is restructuring its RPG and MMO games development into a new group that includes both Mythic and BioWare. This newly formed team will be led by Ray Muzyka, co-founder and General Manager of BioWare. With this change, Ray becomes Group General Manager of the new RPG/MMO studio group. BioWare’s other co-founder, Greg Zeschuk will become Group Creative Officer for the new RPG/MMO studio group. Rob Denton will step up as General Manager of Mythic and report to Ray. BioWare’s studios remain unchanged and continue to report to Ray.

Mark Jacobs, current General Manager of Mythic will leave EA on June 23, 2009. We thank Mark for his contributions at Mythic and wish him the very best going forward. Mark played a major part in the success of Mythic with his contribution as General Manager and Lead Designer of WAR.

Mythic retains a strong team led by Rob who co-founded Mythic in 1995. Rob played a critical role in the development of Dark Age of Camelot. In his previous role as COO, he was responsible for all day-to-day management of the studio including all development, operations and support.

Please join us in celebrating the union of these two award-winning studios.

[OneEyeRed]

Is it possible that WAR could actually be saved? This also confirms the dire straits WAR is in.

[OneEyeRed]

Maybe there is a shred of saving grace for WAR. This just confirms how bad the situation is and good ridden to MJ.

[Shayalyn]

We're currently working on getting some more details for you all. Of course, that doesn't mean Mythic will be willing to talk. The standard PR answer usually has to do with some basic rewording of the official press release.

[kitsunegirl]

Depending on what they do to War, it might be worth keeping an eye on it, and maybe playing it, if it turns out to be good.

[bobfish]

The question is, who was mainly responsible for the well thought out design of DAoC and who was mainly responsible for the poorly thought out design of WAR? Was it Rob or Mark or both or neither or what?

I think out of this we will see the quality of the WAR go up, but somehow I doubt they will do anything about the inherent flaws in the game or balance issues. But I also expect Mark to set up a new development studio, this to me smacks of a guy who has been brutally honest with the community for a long time and has decided he wants to get out from under the corporate influence of EA.

EDIT: This is posted in two forums, you should merge them

[Metal]

This has my full attention now. Bioware have always had my support pretty much enjoyed every game they have to date.

[Blackmyst]

Too bad it took EA was such an expensive experience to find out his true level of competency.

[McMental]

you hear that sound? thats my head banging against the wall....