Bioware & Pandemic Merge

'Super-Studio' Created

from Stardock Forums
BioWare and Pandemic studios are set to merge as part of a $300 million deal articulated by the private equity firm that was bidding on Eidos, Elevation Partners. Former Electronic Arts president John Riccitiello and current head of Elevation Partners crafted the deal that will see two of the most successful developers merged into a "super-studio."

Combined, the two firms are responsible for games such as Baldur's Gate and Knights of the Old Republic to Jade Empire, Star Wars Battlefront and Full Spectrum Warrior. The deal will create a new holdings company, BioWare/Pandemic Studios with Riccitiello as CEO and BioWare and Pandemic CEOs becoming senior executives to the new holding company.

The merger will see shares in the new company fall into all the current employees' hands and will see no layoffs or closings of any employees or studios. The developers current publishers, THQ and Microsoft will remain as publishers through the merger although changes in the publishing arrangements are likely to occur.

"BioWare and Pandemic are truly among the greats of worldwide game developers. We at Elevation are proud to have been chosen by them to be their partners and to work with them in growing their businesses," said John Riccitiello, a managing director at Elevation Partners and CEO for the new holding company, BioWare/Pandemic Studios.
1,461 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
If they were a publisher to I would be a bit worried if I was EA/Ubisoft, they'd be a new player in town.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Give them time
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Interesting. This should be good things, so long as the new corporate entity doesn't stifle their creativity (as is typical).
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Honestly, we've been seeing diminishing products from these two companies for a few years now. Bioware, who used to be the GOD of CRPGs has pretty much abandoned the PC in favor of the XBox. While I enjoyed Jade Empire, it wasn't as well-crafted a story and game as KOTOR 1 was.

Pandemic has been basically sitting right under the line in terms of turning out great games. Both Battlefront and Full Spectrum warrior were good games in their own right, but lacked something essential to being great. Battlefront II is the same.

I'm not sure what is going to be gained through this merger aside from probably some financial gains. I can't figure out how these companies compliment each other.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
You make good points. Bioware has pretty much abandoned the PC. I think both Neverwinter Nights II and Baldur's Gate III are being developed by outside parties.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
NWN 2 is being developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the refugees from Black Isle when Interplay went belly-up. So long as the publisher doesn't rush them like Lucas Arts did with Knights of the Old Republic 2 (which turned out crap because of the rush), it could be pretty cool.

I haven't heard anything on BG3 though, and since the entire Child of Bhaal storyline concluded in Throne of Bhaal I'm not sure there's room for a sequel. Maybe a new RPG with a new engine (RIP Infinity Engine) set in the Forgotten Realms, but probably not real BG game.