PAX East 2013 - Bioware Base Breakdown
It’s been a while since PAX East, but I’ve been sitting on these notes from the Bioware Base panels. While I didn’t get to turn these notes into a vid in time (thanks GDC…), wanted to share these for your viewing pleasure.
How to Get a Job at Bioware
- Best advice from HR team: “Have a blog” with all your writing and art samples for easy use
- If you’re good at it, showcase it! Your passion and dedication to what you’re good at must show.
- "QA testing is NOT a stepping stone”
Bioware: Behind the Scenes
- Kai Leng was rushed (Surprise, surprise); devs wanted to integrate his story more
- Thane will be in comics again
- Shepard’s dances came from a military guy randomly dancing during mocap session
- You can thank John Dombrow (Senior Writer, Mass Effect) for the infamous “I should go” lines in Citadel DLC
Voice Acting - Tips, Tricks and How to get Started
Raphael Sbarge-specific Tips
- Demo reel should be short, 1 minute max
- Finding an agent is very beneficial, given you can find one who is suited towards your needs
- Location is not the biggest concern, because of internet at your fingertips (but expect jobs in centralized areas, like Los Angeles)
- Theater was his best training, to develop acting skill
- Not about the sound, but the connection you produce
Bioware Games
- Previous Bioware games subject to overwriting - “I am angry!” transitions
- VEDA, Bioware’s in-house proprietary software: allows voice actors to be in sync with cues in the script
- Human noises hard to make, harder to latch on because of accents and quirks
- Will hire out of specific areas to keep authenticity (i.e Dragon Age VA’s out of Europe)
Dragon Age: Thedas Unlocked
Thedas Lore Book
- Currently Volume 1, but expect more to come in the future
Comics
- Most of the comics feature huge foreshadowing
- Expect content to be at least touched on in DA3 and future titles
Insights into DA3
- Good mages will be present in DA3
- At least ONE mage isn’t crazy (supposedly not talking about protagonist)
Frostbite Engine
- Integrating conversations and armor customizations were hefty problems
- System has been modified to allow designers to use freely
- BW loves fans who engage in modding, but…
- Modding in Frostbite will be difficult. If a toolset can be done, they’ll approach it (though rumors of toolset for Frostbite engine already floating)
Notable Facts
- Mike Laidlaw, Creative Director (DA3): Merrill fixing the mirror was a ‘bad call’
- Fan asked about Sebastian; devs extremely tight-lipped on his involvement
- How do you like winged quadripeds with swords? Cause Frostbite doesn’t like them.
Mass Effect: Exploring the Universe and ME Trilogy: Retrospective
Developing Mass Effect 3
- Tali wasn’t supposed to be in ME3; Patrick Weekes demanded her back
- Devs wanted Thorians integrated more in series, but did not mesh in 3rd installment
- Earth mission was first to be done and polished
Future of Mass Effect
- Legendary Entertainment is behind the new movie
- New Mass Effect game in development by Bioware Montreal
- New IP to be released in the future
Notable Facts
- Xenon was Mass Effect 3’s first name
- Writers almost messed up Project Overlord: square roots calculated wrong
- Dusty Everman, senior level designer (ME3): “You can’t trust a cow that can milk itself” - regarding space cows in Project Overlord