It isn’t hard to see something isn’t quite right with legendary RPG developer BioWare. The studio’s recently-released Mass Effect: Andromeda was a critical bomb, with reports emerging that the team responsible for the game has been disassembled as the Mass Effect series has been put “on ice.” Thankfully, BioWare managed to salvage their image somewhat at E3 2017 by revealing Anthem, an ambitious (and gorgeous) multiplayer sci-fi fantasy adventure. Well, it seems Anthem may be having its issues of its own.
Videos by ComicBook.com
Aaryn Flynn, BioWare’s general managers, and the former director of Anthem, has announced he’s leaving the studio. Flynn has worked at BioWare for 17 years and been involved in numerous games in the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series. Anthem was currently his primary focus. Flynn posted a goodbye on the BioWare blog, striking a gracious note, while not exactly explaining why he’s leaving:
“From my first day until now, I have learned much, met great colleagues and friends, and got the chance to help give players some truly incredible experiences. Every time I think I’ve found a favorite game making experience, we start something new and somehow find fun and satisfaction in the new challenges.
I have been contemplating changes in my own life for some time, but when I heard that Casey [Hudson] had confirmed he was up for the task, I realized the opportunities before us. I will be working with him over the next couple of weeks to help catch him up and do my part to set him up for success to be the best GM he can be.”
As Flynn mentions, he’ll be replaced as BioWare general manager by Casey Hudson, who directed the original Mass Effect Trilogy. Hudson left BioWare in 2014 to work for Microsoft on HoloLens-related projects, but now he returns to oversee BioWare’s main Edmonton studio and Anthem.
While BioWare is trying their best to make this seem like business as usual, you can’t help but draw a line between the failure of Mass Effect: Andromeda and the departure of Flynn. Hopefully BioWare’s management changes help Anthem become the best game it can be, because it really does look promising.
Whatever’s going on with Anthem, don’t expect to be playing it too soon. EA and BioWare have announced the game won’t be coming out until their next fiscal year, which means the game could arrive as late as March 2019, although a holiday 2018 release is more likely. Keep up with WWG’s latest Anthem coverage here.
[via Polygon]
