Anthem Writer Leaving BioWare Again

Anthem, Knights of the Old Republic Writer Leaving BioWare Again

The popular development studio BioWare, is facing a grim future because of the failure of Mass Effect: Andromeda and an exodus of staff members. The company’s next anticipated project, Anthem, is being viewed internally as an all-or-nothing title that will predict the future of the company. Anthem and BioWare, took another hit on Friday as Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 lead writer Drew Karpyshyn announced he is once again departing from the company.

Karpyshyn officially left the company on March 2nd, but waited until today to announce his departure from Anthem on his personal blog, to focus on “more original novels, an original sci-fi graphic novel he’s co-creating, and freelance gaming work.”

“In the past,” Karpyshyn says, “I’ve managed to juggle outside projects with my work at BioWare, but it always took a toll. And there were always outside projects I had to pass on because they would represent a conflict of interest with BioWare or EA properties. So I made the decision to step back (again) and focus on my freelance work. I’d love to say more about the novel(s) I’m working on, or my graphic novel project, but those details will have to wait a while.”

Gamerant said on their website:

“For those unaware, Karpyshyn’s choice to exit BioWare and leave Anthem behind follows the exodus of several other noteworthy industry names leaving the studio. To be specific, Dragon Age creative director Mike Laidlaw, studio general manager Aaryn Flynn, Mass Effect: Andromeda lead writer Chris Schlerf, Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider, and Mass Effect: Andromeda senior development director Chris Wynn have all parted ways with the company not too long ago.

From an outsider’s perspective, there’s no way to know all of the intricacies involved in Karpyshyn’s choice to depart from BioWare yet again, as the easy explanation is to just assume that the company is in trouble. As Karpyshyn says, “there is no dirty laundry I’m just waiting to air,” so it’s possible that his decision to leave is as simple as his originally stated purpose – that is, to pursue his own personal projects. Of course, considering the poor launch and mediocre reviews of its last game, Mass Effect: Andromeda, as well as the recent withdrawal of other studio leads, it’s difficult to not see Karpyshyn’s exit from the developer as a worrying sign for the future of both Anthem and BioWare.”

More info at – Source