Overview
BioWare made players care about party members. Their RPGs transformed companions from stat bundles into characters with arcs, opinions, and romances. From Baldur’s Gate through Mass Effect, they refined a formula: gather a party, make moral choices, save the world—and maybe fall in love along the way.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1995, Edmonton, Canada.
- Founders: Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk.
- Known for: Party-based RPGs.
- Parent: EA (acquired 2007).
Infinity Engine era
| Title | Year |
|---|
| Baldur’s Gate | 1998 |
| Baldur’s Gate II | 2000 |
Knights of the Old Republic
| Achievement | Impact |
|---|
| Star Wars RPG | Beloved adaptation |
| Light/Dark system | Moral framework |
| Companions | Memorable cast |
| Twist | Gaming history |
Mass Effect trilogy
| Innovation | Implementation |
|---|
| Save import | Choices persist |
| Dialogue wheel | Cinematic conversations |
| Romance system | Relationship depth |
| Commander Shepard | Player avatar |
Dragon Age series
| Title | Year |
|---|
| Dragon Age: Origins | 2009 |
| Dragon Age II | 2011 |
| Dragon Age: Inquisition | 2014 |
| Element | Execution |
|---|
| Party companions | Recruitment, loyalty |
| Moral choices | Consequences |
| Romance options | Character relationships |
| Epic narrative | World-saving stakes |
EA acquisition
| Year | Event |
|---|
| 2007 | Acquired by EA |
| Effect | Larger budgets |
| Trade-off | Corporate pressure |
See also