Pandemic closes – up to Bioware and Mass Effect to save the day
Back in 2007 EA made one of the biggest studio purchases in quite some time. EA picked up Bioware and Pandemic studios for $860 million from VG Holding Corp as a bundle deal. However, two years later EA announced that Pandemic will be closing.
Pandemic studios have been around the video game industry for over a decade producing popular franchises such as the Mercenaries, Destroy All Humans! and Star Wars: Battlefront series. The studio was picked up along with Bioware as a bundle deal from VG Holding Corp.
According to Kotaku, EA confirmed this morning that Pandemic studios will be shut down and 200 employees will be made redundant. The top three honchos, Andrew Goldman, former CEO; Josh Resnick former president; and Greg Borrud VP of product development at Pandemic were among the fallout. I’m not surprised as they were probably getting paid the most.
However, EA is adamant that Pandamic owned IPs will continue to live on with a core IP team backing the studio’s legacy franchises. It seems like there is more pressure on Bioware to perform so that it doesn’t end up like its costly brother.
It really must have been tough to acquire both studios for almost a billion dollars and to have to shut one of them down only two years later. I wouldn’t be surprised if EA is pressuring Bioware to make up for the lost money by milking Mass Effect 2 for all its worth.
I have to say that its a shame that the studio had to be closed as I thoroughly enjoyed the Mercenaries games. Not too many studios these days will take the risk of making a fun balls-to-the-wall sandbox shooter. I suppose there is Crackdown 2 that could take its place. However, even that game’s fate is uncertain as it’s in the hands of a brand new studio.
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November 18th, 2009
EA, Activision, Ubisoft… they are all proof that while profitable, monolithic videogame corporations are bad for gamers. I loved Destroy all Humans! and the SW:B games, but I have no faith that EA will do them justice.
Mass Effect 1 was one of the very best games I have played in the past decade (PC) and I can only see EA’s influence on Bioware as a negative variable. It feels like a $1 McDonalds Sushi menu to me.
November 18th, 2009
Big company always vomiting mistakes.
November 18th, 2009
Big companies always comiting mistakes.
November 18th, 2009
I like the first reponse better Ivan.
This is a shame. I really enjoyed mercenaries 2. I guess they really needed better scores and sales on that game and lord of the rings conquest and both reviewed and sold very poor.
November 18th, 2009
phranctoast:
Yeah LoL it was a spelling mistake but yes both were good LoL. I play Mercenaries 2 on my other account is not bad but could have been better with a good deep online shit.
November 18th, 2009
im glad that studio got shut down.
November 18th, 2009
The battle front series was good.
Roca, I got the blue blood and catalyst. Hopefully the stupid thing lets us meet up so that I can give them to you. If you have cloudstone weapon that would be appreciated.
Also I went up to 192. Still in the range, but eat some souls to catch up. We should plan on doing another big drop to help speed things up a bit.
I’m ready for a break. If the only thing that’s left to do is farm blade stone, and defeat a few demons for miracles – I’m cool with that.
November 18th, 2009
@Ivan
while the online wasn’t too deep it was all it needed to be. It’s kind of like Borderlands online co op where a real person could jump into your game and help you out.
You don’t recall seeing someone tethering a tank to a chopper and the second player unleashing with the tank while being flown?
@Roca.
I’m sorry to hear that the studio is gone. 200 people getting laid off right before the Holidays really has to suck.
November 18th, 2009
BJ,
you dont need cloud stones, I can just give you the shield. I was trying to farm Pure Blade though..but but no freaking luck. we can try again tonight
Phranc,
I dont think they got laid off, they are more than likely to end up somewhere in one of the others EA’s studios. Pandemic studio was close but devs are probably still employed by EA. they did the same with the NFS studio last year and you can see the results now (better NFS game??)
November 18th, 2009
Yes, it is not good when people loose their jobs. If people don’t have jobs, then people can’t buy games. It does have an effect on the gaming industry. It causes developers not to want to create completely new games. Instead, we are stuck with rehashes of the same stuff again.
November 18th, 2009
“200 employees will be made redundant.”
my bad, I just read the article.
November 18th, 2009
@Roca
They did lose their jobs. 200 jobs made redundant is the quote.
The guys have talent. I’m sure they’ll get picked up by someone. Santa Monica is not too far from LA. Theres at least two Sony studios out there.
November 18th, 2009
yay.. the power of the refresh button.
November 18th, 2009
soo… what have you been playing Phranc?
im alsmot done with Demon’s Souls (platinum), after that ill unwrap R+C and try to Plat for U2 and R+C at the same time. I just bought GoW collectiong, LBP PSP, and Assasin’s Creed Bloodline.
November 18th, 2009
I also bought LocoRoco 1 & 2, great game btw
November 18th, 2009
Currently playing U2 and MW2. Working on completing MW2 with trophy support as the first time nothing registered..lol. I took a break yesterday to chill with my brothers. GOW collection should be on its way soon. My delivery estimate is for Friday, but I hear Sony underestimated the potential sales and theres going to be shortages for a little bit. Lets hope thats a rumor.
After that it will be Assassin creed 2 for Christmas.
November 18th, 2009
“I also bought LocoRoco 1 & 2, great game btw”
I wish they’d just do a ps3 port. Correchi (*sp) was OK, but not what I wanted from a Loco Roco game.
November 18th, 2009
I have to say, LocoRoco has one the most addicting soundtrack in video game history. I cant get them out of my head lol
November 18th, 2009
I’m buying God of War Collection too. I bought LocoRoco the PS2 version and i installed it and deleted it hate it. I downloaded the PSP version a long time ago almost done with it i like that one a lot. I’m looking forward to EyePet and ModNatation Racers.
phranctoast:
I never seen you play UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves glad to see you like it.
Those 200 job losses will be feel in a day i bet.
November 18th, 2009
Getting GOW collection Thursday and Assassins Creed 2 for Xmas.
I still need to beat Uncharted 2. So much to do, so little time.
November 18th, 2009
Ivan,
I thought you weren’t going to get the God of War collection. I’m going to get my copy today. I can’t wait. I’m going to be getting the collector’s edition of God of War 3 too.
Has anyone checked out Assassin’s Creed 2 yet?
November 18th, 2009
twilight:
LoL i wasn’t just got $35 bucks need to get the rest soon. I will get God of War 3 Collection for my birthday it comes out the same month. As for Assassins Creed 2 i rather save that money for MAG.
November 18th, 2009
I can’t think of a better way to spend the money then on God of War. I was just wondering if Assassin’s Creed 2 was any good. I hadn’t heard any feedback yet on this game.
November 18th, 2009
ill say if you like the first one then get AC2, if not, then wait for the overall review scores (give it about a week or so)
November 18th, 2009
Let’s be honest these were shit games, pandemic won’t be missed.
November 18th, 2009
“phranctoast:
I never seen you play UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves glad to see you like it.”
I Don’t recall ever seeing you on at all. Maybe we’re not on each others friends list.
“Let’s be honest these were shit games, pandemic won’t be missed.”
I’ll miss them. Mercs 2 was fun as hell, and the Battlefront games were the best selling Star Wars game to date.
oh and Assassins Creed 2 was reviewed by IGN and received a 9.2. pretty impressive.
November 18th, 2009
LMAOO @ randygland
November 18th, 2009
phranctoast:
We aren’t LoL? Was your PSN ID posted here if you want my bad i thought i did had you weird shit LoL.
PS3 XMB (Improvement Ideas) *UPDATED*
youtube.com/watch?v=7y0xyM7_Mks
User created for PS3.
November 18th, 2009
@Ivan
huh? lol
mine is phranctoast.
November 18th, 2009
Phranc,
can we do together the spec ops mission for trophies?
November 18th, 2009
I’ll be getting GOW collection tomorrow.
I didn’t get a chance to play the first two.
I hope they live up to the hype.
I work in a mall and will be at EB games when it opens.
November 18th, 2009
if your not on my PSN and want to play it’s ncaissie
November 18th, 2009
“Phranc,
can we do together the spec ops mission for trophies?”
Sure. It will be the first time I’m really getting into the Spec Ops missions. Been concentrating on finishing the campaign again and the MP.
November 18th, 2009
ncaissie,
did you get my PSN message yesterday? you got me confused, but maybe you know more than I do.
November 18th, 2009
I just picked mine up.
They let me buy it today.
November 18th, 2009
Nope.
I thought someone on here said it had Co-op mode but I don’t see that on the box or disk.
No big deal though. I still wanted to try these two games.
November 18th, 2009
@ncaissie
the co op was mentioned here by kev. The game never was going to have co op but someone in marketing sent out a wrong description of the game to store owners causing people to believe it may for like two days..lol
Sony has denied the rumor.
It’s for the best as these games would not do good with a co op element. Some games don’t need multiplayer.
November 18th, 2009
I’m jealous of you btw. I need to wait until Friday. If it’s backordered, maybe even later.
November 18th, 2009
They have lots of copies at EB. Looked to be about 20 or so on the counter.
I am going to be coming off pain killers this weekend and next week so I’ll have something to do if I’m not too fucked up. I have a pinched nerve in my back from a lung surgery and the pills stopped working a long time ago.
November 18th, 2009
well lung surgery apparently eliminates another potential pain killer
November 18th, 2009
ncaissie:
I saw you friends request on my PlayStattion Underground account when i log in on my PS3 i will accept it.
November 18th, 2009
Phranctcoast,
It’s not to good that you have to wait to get your game. I always pre- order to be safe because I would be too freaked out if I couldn’t get a game I really wanted to play.
November 18th, 2009
ncaissie:- “I am going to be coming off pain killers this weekend and next week”
Damn man, it depends on how long you been on them and what kind you are talking about, and if you are doing it cold-turkey or not. But more than likely you want be feeling like doing shit for at least the first week not even playing video-games. I wish you the best on it I really do…
November 18th, 2009
I get off work in two hours. I can’t wait to pick this game up.
November 18th, 2009
yeah it blows. I did pre-order through Amazon hoping they would add release day deliver to the game due to popularity. I also wanted to get it through them so the $20 promotional discount I got for ordering MW2 had a game I can apply it to.
November 18th, 2009
10 Years ago I broke a leg and blew my ankle at the same time playing pickup hockey at an outdoor rink (got pushed into an open benchdoor at full speed, and skate got caught between the door and the boards). 8 weeks in hospital, 5 surgeries and 3 pounds of surgical steel later, I had developed a keen dependancy on morphine. My doctor was prepared for that, so we did a long weening process, as I still needed painkillers during my rehab, 1year on crutches, 2 years with a cane. Withdrawal still sucked, but the reality is that painkiller addiction is most likely when they are not being taken for pain, or very extended periods of use. Hopefully you won’t have to go through that on top of your recovery, dude. Good luck, and post when you can, especially if it helps you blow off some steam, heh.
November 18th, 2009
I hope you don’t have to wait too long. I would take advantage of any good deals as well.
November 18th, 2009
@ncaissie
you are going to enjoy this game but w.e you do DO NOT OPEN PANDORA’S BOX
November 18th, 2009
@twilight.
Great news. It’s preparing to ship. I still don’t expect to see it before Friday though. If I get it tomorrow I may have to forgo my “happy hour with the work guys night”.
and before you sickos (harry
) think anything of that… I’m talking about happy hour at a bar..lol
November 18th, 2009
Fentenyl and Morphine for about 1 ½ years.
I dropped the Fent slowly over months from 100 to 12 so now I stop it completely.
Morphs from 90mg to 60 now 30 three times a day. I stop the morphs in Jan probably.
I even had a stupid stimulator put on my spine and that didn’t do shit. The lung surgery was over 11 years ago and I started getting a major pain after a chiropractor said she could fix the little pain I had three years ago. I should sue the bitch.
Now I have to be careful going into Walmart LOL
November 18th, 2009
That’s Fentanyl not Fentenyl.
November 18th, 2009
I can’t wait to try these games.
I hope the wife will take the girls to gymnastics and let me stay home to play.
November 18th, 2009
LoL the backwards compatible 80GB PS3 i bought on Craigslist for $75 is being sold tomorrow for $140 from Craigslist a so call teacher is suppose to come pick it up tomorrow. LoL i gotta keep a job to keep up with Sony’s games damn it. Every 3 months i get a new job and quit for this damn gaming crap. I’ll be picking God of War Collection i already have God of War 1 & 2 for my PS2. Only buying this new version because of the trophies and the demo of God of War III.
I want this shit on my PS3 how that hell was this possible without Sony. http://web.me.com/steven.shaw/PlayStation_3_XMB/PlayStation_3_XMB.html
November 18th, 2009
Phranctoast,
That’s great news. At least, you’ll have it by the weekend.
Me, I always have time for gaming. Time is usually not an issue.
November 18th, 2009
time is always an issue for me…I have gotten so many games that I cant find time to play them all. I have 4 games that are still wrapped (2 PS3 and 2 PSP) and im buying GoW collection today too
November 18th, 2009
The PlayStation Underground 10th Anniversary.
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=announcements&thread.id=264
November 18th, 2009
Vote for GotY and other categories for the 2009 Spike VGA:
Game of the Year: Batman AA
Best 360 game: Left 4 Dead 2
Best PS3 game: Infamous
Best independent game: ‘Splosion Man
Best PC Game: Dragon Age Origins
Best Handheld game: GTA Chinatown Wars
Best Action Adventure: Batman AA
Best Shooter: L4D2
Best RPG: Dragon Age Origins
Best Multiplayer Game: L4D2
Best Ind Sports Game: UFC 09
Best Team Sports Game: Madden NFL 10
Best Driving Game: Forza Motorsport 3
Best Graphics: UC2
Vote here:
http://www.spike.com/event/vga2009/page/vote/
November 18th, 2009
Carl B,
I can’t believe the nominations for best voice acting. No Mark Hamil? No Nolan North (Nate Drake) WTF man?
Instead they nominated hacks like Bill Murray, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, Shia LaBeouf and Vin Diesel.
November 18th, 2009
@BJ
they were under best voice. Kind of stupid that two categories exist for the same thing.
I went with Bill Murray. and Chloe for the best voice. I chose kristen bell also. Kind of dumb as I haven’t played all the games. Games are nominated that literally just came out. Kind of lame.
November 18th, 2009
Oh wait… category 25, “best voice”
November 18th, 2009
It pained me to vote against Nate or Chloe… but I voted for Mark Hamil.
Murray’s performance on the Ghost Buster game was pretty phoned in. I went with Sam the man Jackson.
The category should have been named “famous people in video games”.
November 18th, 2009
Ncaissie,
The GOW collection is not going to have co-op. Basically it’s juts GOW 1 & 2 in HD. Same game-play, character models, textures, etc…
I think Sony has been hinting that GOW 3 might have co-op.
November 18th, 2009
I voted a long time ago UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves for everything i could and i voted for and GTA: Lost and Damned for best DLC.
November 18th, 2009
Barnabe Jones:
Sony already said Co-Op was false. Too bad i was hoping for some online shit to buy it.
November 18th, 2009
Two of the best action games of all time, in HD, with trophies, for $39 – is a must buy for me.
November 18th, 2009
Me 2 i already own them on PS2. But is still worth buying because trophies and people will see that i own it.
November 18th, 2009
Roca,
I only own a Ps3. I usually like to focus on a limited amount of games seriously at a time. If I know I want be able to get to a game, I will not buy it until I’m ready to play it.
As far as time goes, I meant that I don’t have other responsibilties like a lot of other people do. There are never enough hours for gaming.
November 18th, 2009
Going back to the topic of the article, I see this pretty much as proof that the mass effect franchise is coming to the PS3. They will need to maximise their potential market to increase their income.
November 18th, 2009
Rimmer:
Now that EA owns it is definitely coming Microsoft a timed exclusive deal just like they do Gears of War which Epic Games will release on PS3 after Gears of War 3. Microsoft better start getting ready. So far Sony is winning they have the most and the best and highest rated games of all times. Microsoft has to make something other then Halo or they will down in history like Sega did.
November 19th, 2009
“Going back to the topic of the article, I see this pretty much as proof that the mass effect franchise is coming to the PS3. They will need to maximise their potential market to increase their income.”
@rimmer..
Agreed..
I was thinking abt the same thing, i m sure Mass effect will be on ps3 sooner than later, its a great game and it still will be..
November 19th, 2009
just like they do Gears of War which Epic Games will release on PS3 after Gears of War 3.
@
Ain’t gonna happen
November 19th, 2009
BJ,
just got platinum on Demon’s Souls (that fucking stone was a pita). but I got it after 2 hrs.
sorry I couldnt get back on after I plugged the cable back. Then the PS3 told to update (3.10).
November 19th, 2009
where did you get that pure-bladestone at Roca?
November 19th, 2009
ToshithegreaT:
Tell that to Mark Rein not me unless you planning to pay him a bigger check yourself.
November 19th, 2009
“where did you get that pure-bladestone at Roca?”
@ Ghost
I went to the Demon’s Souls Home Space…there are a bunch of Pure Bladestones just laying around
November 19th, 2009
…….jk
I spent about 2 days just going through the whole 4-2 level (PBWT + Sword of Searching)
November 19th, 2009
Good stuff Roca.
Now we can play other games. I saw you on last night but didn’t want to bother you during DS.
November 19th, 2009
“Tell that to Mark Rein not me unless you planning to pay him a bigger check yourself.”
@ivan
Epic is quite close to MS.. They are the reson why Xbox 360 has 512 unified memory gpu in xbox 360..
November 19th, 2009
can you explain that Toshi?
November 19th, 2009
“I went to the Demon’s Souls Home Space…there are a bunch of Pure Bladestones just laying around”
That would be Funny!
I have to say I wanted BC because of GOW and Sly Cooper.
If they remake Sly I will be one happy guy.
I only made it to the place you bush the box to clime up and kill the guys (At the first save) and I am VERY GLAD I purchased this game.
A had to go to the kids Gymnastics so I didn’t get much play time. This is one of the best games I have ever played. One word: Epic
November 19th, 2009
ToshithegreaT:
So it doesn’t matter this is a business so unless Microsoft extend their checks Epic Games will soon not just be their little bitch.
November 19th, 2009
“One word: Epic”
indeed
The one and only game series that can be called Epic is God of War.
bwt ncaissie you forgot to turn off the PS3 yesterday. it was on all day.
im getting the game today, if you get stuck or have any question dont hesitate to ask me…I know that game like the palm hand
November 19th, 2009
man you really like the Sly series, im going to have to get it to see what its all about.
u never stop talkin about that game lol. its good to enjoy all the installments of a frachise. Socom let me down.
November 19th, 2009
I never turn off my PS3s.
Some times my kids play on mine because it’s on the projector.
November 19th, 2009
Roca.:
Sly is really awesome a must buy. Also there’s so many games on PS3 only you can call EPIC like.
Metal gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune
UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves
Killzone 2
God of War Collection
I don’t know if resistance series is epic enough to be in the list but the first game is really dark in story and a really creepy.
November 19th, 2009
I can guarantee you this. Crackdown is a day 1 purchase for me. I can’t wait!!
November 19th, 2009
Definitely for me too. The first one was fun, but the second one looks fantastic!
November 19th, 2009
Crackdown 2 looks very good. I’ll buy in the first month it comes out.
November 19th, 2009
Crackdown always looked like a cool game. My biggest issue with the game was the inclusion of the Halo 3 mp beta demo to boost sales so I could never determine whether it was a game that was worth it or one that was bought to get the mp demo.
If it’s awesome.. More power to you guys.. I hope you enjoy the second one.
November 20th, 2009
“My biggest issue with the game was the inclusion of the Halo 3 mp beta demo to boost sales so I could never determine whether it was a game that was worth it or one that was bought to get the mp demo.”
@phranc
Do u have a xbox 360 or do u have issues with games u dont have any intention to buy..
@Cad, Harry & Ivan
Its day 1 for me too, i got the first crackdown, just a few months back.. And i was disappointed with the graphics and also coz the game had hardly any plot or story.. But i was like ehh whatever, i kept playing it, i never realised this game will be so much fun, i loved orb hunting in the first game and i hope the sequel is so much fun.. And i was impressed by what MS did there, This game would have been easily ignored by the majority of the gaming public..
November 20th, 2009
“Crackdown 2 looks very good. I’ll buy in the first month it comes out.”
Who are you, and what have you done with Ivan?
November 20th, 2009
I buy Xbox 360 games i just don’t like talking about them. I paid in full today for MAG God of War III: Ultimate Edition and Halo Reach. Halo might be change to Alan Awake if it gets a release date ever.
November 20th, 2009
I heard either March or May for AW.
Anyway, i’m outta here for a week. I hope you all have a good week. Except for you roca, I hope yours sucks
Just messing with you.
November 20th, 2009
hahaha…you know you are going to miss me
November 20th, 2009
@Tosh
“@phranc
Do u have a xbox 360 or do u have issues with games u dont have any intention to buy..”
If that’s your stance be happy you are now on my radar and I shall call you out the same way when you make any reference to ps3 games.
btw. The validity of my stance still remains. Attacking the poster rather than the topic doesn’t work for you
@harry
Have a good week.
November 20th, 2009
“Attacking the poster rather than the topic doesn’t work for you”
thats what he does best