BioWare Lead Writer Says Goodbye To Industry
BioWare's Drew Karpyshyn is hitting the road, leaving the games industry behind in search of fame and fortune via novels and screenplays.
Drew Karpyshyn, who has worked at BioWare as lead writer for twelve years, recently announced on his blog that he's retiring from the gaming industry. His most recent work includes co-writing the Mass Effect 2 script, and serving as lead writer for the just-launched Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG over the last three years.
"Just to be clear, the parting was completely amicable, and 100-percent my decision," he said in a blog on Wednesday. "For the past twelve years I’ve had the privilege to work at one of the best companies in the video game industry, side by side with the most talented and incredible group of people I’ve ever had the good fortune to know. I’ve enjoyed my time at BioWare immensely, but it’s time for me to move on."
He said that he's leaving to focus more time and energy on his novels and other non-video game related projects. He's not completely severing his ties with BioWare, as many of his closest friends still reside with the developer. In addition, he's in the process of writing the next SW:TOR novel, but wouldn't go into specifics.
"I know going forward that BioWare will continue to live up to its well deserved reputation for making the best story driven games in the industry," he said. "The story and dialog in any BioWare game is the result of an entire team of writers working together, and I often felt I received an excessive amount of the credit for the games we created. The Dragon Age games and the continued success of the Mass Effect series after my departure make it pretty clear that BioWare can get along just fine without me, and I’m looking forward to experiencing the games as a fan rather than from the other side of the fence."
"Even if you are someone who is going to miss my contributions to the video game world, I hope you’ll be somewhat mollified by the fact that I’m going to have more time for novels, screenplays and other projects," he added.
Screenplays, eh? Sounds like someone is going to Hollywood, and it's not with a golden American Idol ticket.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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lemlo A great 12 years. May the wind be at your back and future successes follow. It's been a pleasure getting out of my own world and into the worlds you've helped create. Thanks Drew!Reply -
aevm Probably a good decision. I've read 6 of his books (4 Star Wars and 2 Mass Effect), and I liked them all. He's quite talented as a writer IMO.Reply
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amk-aka-Phantom ReplyHis most recent work includes co-writing the Mass Effect 2 script, and serving as lead writer for the just-launched Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG over the last three years.
What about Mass Effect 3? The latest Mass Effect novel was a mess totally inconsistent with game lore... all because they hired someone else to write it instead of Drew. I hope that he worked on Mass Effect 3 a bit... though, wasn't ME2 story done by Mac Walters? -
d-isdumb The headline should read, "BioWare Lead Writer tired of being EA's B!tch Says Goodbye To Industry"Reply -
robcardiv idk . i thought most of the swtor dialog was pretty bland and boring. I wanted to like it, and listen, but I found myself pressing skip all the time.Reply -
thecusith I've enjoyed much of what Mr. Karpyshyn has worked on. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for any future works he may have had a hand in. Maybe his extensive experience writing for games could lead to a decent screenplay for a game-to-movie conversion. Hey, I can dream...Reply -
racpa I like Drew's work but some of it was hit and miss. I loved the major plot twist in Kotor and felt like a happy doofus for missing it. The Darth Bane trilogy was glorious Force porn at its best. But...while the Mass Effect games are great, I was disappointed with the ME novels, especially the character Kaylee Sanders. Come on Drew, show don't tell when it comes to characterization! Do you all remember how Bane was revealed so slowly and deliciously. If Kaylee is an expert on so many subjects, she should do expert things. I think Drew has the talent, and with less presure from the book mill factory, I think he can do it.Reply