EA Merging Bioware & Mythic; Mark Jacobs Out

DoctorFinger · 06-24-2009, 12:35 PM

Did someone declare this wacky merger day and not tell me?

Electronic Arts today announced that they are merging the operations of the Fairfax, VA based Mythic Entertainment (formerly EA Mythic) with those of BioWare (Edmonton, Montreal and Austin).

Both studios will keep their names and facilities, but the new entity will be called the RPG/MMO studio group, and be led by BioWare co-founder Ray Muzyka, who takes the title of group general manager. BioWare's other co founder Greg Zeschuk will be the group's chief creative officer. Mythic co-founder and COO Rob Denton will take over as CEO, replacing Mark Jacobs who is departing the company. The remaining management structure of both companies is expected to remain static.

What does this mean for the games being developed by both companies? For the moment, don't expect major changes. But the name of the new entity - the EA RPG/MMO studio group - seems to indicate where things are headed.

Sources - Ars Technica; Gamasutra.

Telefrog · 06-24-2009, 12:44 PM

The official press release post text was in this thread.

Sucks to be Mark Jacobs right now. The guy talked a lot of smack at Blizzard.

Borthcollective · 06-24-2009, 12:47 PM

Keep Mythic away from Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Hawkzombie · 06-24-2009, 12:48 PM

So no more Bioware name?

I dunno why, but of this, that's the saddest part of this announcement.

Esquilax1138 · 06-24-2009, 12:49 PM

"I have a bad feeling about this..."

DoctorFinger · 06-24-2009, 12:53 PM

Both studios will keep their names and independence after the merge.

Wraith · 06-24-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkzombie

So no more Bioware name?

I dunno why, but of this, that's the saddest part of this announcement.

Are they actually going to use the name "EA RPG/MMO Group"? Sounds...awkward.

*Edit* Oh, there we go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorFinger

Both studios will keep their names and independence after the merge.

BigJonno · 06-24-2009, 01:05 PM

WHAT THE FUCK?

I don't know if I have any particularly strong feelings about this, it's just really surreal. Hence the big red letters.

Karmakin · 06-24-2009, 01:17 PM

WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT?!!

What's next, a Sega-Nintendo merger?

National Kato · 06-24-2009, 01:25 PM

They'd be insane to even consider dropping the BioWare name. That shit has more clout than EA in longtime gamer circles.

Cyndair · 06-24-2009, 01:27 PM

What exactly happened with Mark Jacobs?? (apart from him no longer being the CEO of Mythic) Was there some drama or something? I can't seem to find any info on it.

Narradisall · 06-24-2009, 01:35 PM

Yea, I came in to say the same things as above (that has already been corrected).

Somehow losing the Bioware name and being called the RPG/MMO group sounded retarded to me. Lucky its not happening. Bioware means more to me than EA does.

Borthcollective · 06-24-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karmakin

WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT?!!

What's next, a Sega-Nintendo merger?

This has been a dream of mine for years.

LordDon · 06-24-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borthcollective

This has been a dream of mine for years.

A dirty dirty dream I'll wager.

Karak · 06-24-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyndair

What exactly happened with Mark Jacobs?? (apart from him no longer being the CEO of Mythic) Was there some drama or something? I can't seem to find any info on it.

Damn that was weird. My post about this was posted and now its completely gone. That was weird.
But anyway yes basically from the sounds of it he is being blamed for a great deal of the "Supposed" problems with WAR..

Borthcollective · 06-24-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordDon

A dirty dirty dream I'll wager.

Sonic and Peach, dirty indeed.

Hawkzombie · 06-24-2009, 02:19 PM

Wraith - Ah yes, I just saw the edit as well.

Ya know, maybe EA isn't as bad as they once were...even 5 years ago, they would have absorbed both into their name, and called them 'EA Sports - Basketball Studio'

At least we'll still see things under the Bioware name, and generally it looks like very little is actually changing, just how the companies are structured. With Mythic AND Bioware possibly working together (KOTOR MMO people!) on future projects, this could be very good news indeed.

I liked Warhammer, what I played of it...it had some solid ideas, but it just wasn't my thing overall. I'd love to see some of their ideas filter into KOTOR.

rifter · 06-24-2009, 02:20 PM

Wow, Mark is out, huh? That really sucks. There are few, if any, studio heads that is as in-touch and open with his public as Mark. Honestly, while merging Mythic/Bioware worries me... outing Mark is the major blow.

Borthcollective · 06-24-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkzombie

With Mythic AND Bioware possibly working together (KOTOR MMO people!) on future projects, this could be very good news indeed.

I liked Warhammer, what I played of it...it had some solid ideas, but it just wasn't my thing overall. I'd love to see some of their ideas filter into KOTOR.

See above, I'm pleading no no no. Dark Age, crap, Warhammer, crap. Please don't let them touch The Old Republic.

Hawkzombie · 06-24-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borthcollective

See above, I'm pleading no no no. Dark Age, crap, Warhammer, crap. Please don't let them touch The Old Republic.

I never fully got into Warhammer, and I've never played Dark Age (Forgot they did that...gotta say from what I saw, I wasn't impressed)...Maybe I'll retract my statement, but hopefully Bioware maintains a 'We know better than you, just give us ideas we can improve on' policy when deal with Mythic

06-24-2009, 12:35 PM	#1
DoctorFinger Senior News Editor Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 5,561 Blog Entries: 10	EA Merging Bioware & Mythic; Mark Jacobs Out Did someone declare this wacky merger day and not tell me? Electronic Arts today announced that they are merging the operations of the Fairfax, VA based Mythic Entertainment (formerly EA Mythic) with those of BioWare (Edmonton, Montreal and Austin). Both studios will keep their names and facilities, but the new entity will be called the RPG/MMO studio group, and be led by BioWare co-founder Ray Muzyka, who takes the title of group general manager. BioWare's other co founder Greg Zeschuk will be the group's chief creative officer. Mythic co-founder and COO Rob Denton will take over as CEO, replacing Mark Jacobs who is departing the company. The remaining management structure of both companies is expected to remain static. What does this mean for the games being developed by both companies? For the moment, don't expect major changes. But the name of the new entity - the EA RPG/MMO studio group - seems to indicate where things are headed. Sources - Ars Technica; Gamasutra.

06-24-2009, 12:44 PM	#2
Telefrog Natural 20's! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lakewood, WA Posts: 4,570 Blog Entries: 3	The official press release post text was in this thread. Sucks to be Mark Jacobs right now. The guy talked a lot of smack at Blizzard. __________________ Gamertag: Telefrog \| Zunecard: Telefrog \| Steam ID: Telefrog \| Impulse: Telefrog

06-24-2009, 12:53 PM	#6
DoctorFinger Senior News Editor Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 5,561 Blog Entries: 10	Both studios will keep their names and independence after the merge. __________________ Gamertag - [DoctorFinger] PSN ID - [DoctorFinger] Steam Profile - [DoctorFinger] Senior News Editor - Colony of Gamers Co-host - Johnny Gigawatt and the Tiger Men from Mars Twitter

06-24-2009, 01:17 PM	#9
Karmakin Moar and Moar and Moar Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 547 Blog Entries: 4	WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT?!! What's next, a Sega-Nintendo merger? __________________ 360--Karmakin World of Warcraft--Karmaze (Sen'Jin) I be a tree!!

06-24-2009, 01:25 PM	#10
National Kato ...like an AM single Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sun & Sand Posts: 3,873	They'd be insane to even consider dropping the BioWare name. That shit has more clout than EA in longtime gamer circles. __________________ 360: National Kato PSN: National_Kato Now Playing: Bioshock 2 / Dante's Inferno / Midnight Club: LA / Forza 3 / NHL10

06-24-2009, 12:47 PM	#3
Borthcollective Colonist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Centerville, Ohio Posts: 479	Keep Mythic away from Star Wars: The Old Republic.

06-24-2009, 12:49 PM	#5
Esquilax1138 Midnight Riders roadie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 336	"I have a bad feeling about this..."

06-24-2009, 01:27 PM	#11
Cyndair Rode the Winds of Time Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chesterland, OH Posts: 1,155	What exactly happened with Mark Jacobs?? (apart from him no longer being the CEO of Mythic) Was there some drama or something? I can't seem to find any info on it. __________________ On Tap: - Assassin's Creed 2 - Borderlands - Darksiders - Chrono Trigger PSN: Cyndair Steam: rpete765

06-24-2009, 01:35 PM	#12
Narradisall Colonist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: London, England Posts: 3,601	Yea, I came in to say the same things as above (that has already been corrected). Somehow losing the Bioware name and being called the RPG/MMO group sounded retarded to me. Lucky its not happening. Bioware means more to me than EA does. __________________ Gamertag: Narradisall

06-24-2009, 02:20 PM	#18
rifter I like circular logic. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Idaho, Boise Posts: 633	Wow, Mark is out, huh? That really sucks. There are few, if any, studio heads that is as in-touch and open with his public as Mark. Honestly, while merging Mythic/Bioware worries me... outing Mark is the major blow. __________________ Steam ID / Xbox Live ID / Xfire Profile Circular Logic - Blog KTLifeStudios- My photo studio

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