Bioware owns my soul

Anyone who knows me is familiar with my undying love for Canadian based Bioware. I've grown up with their games and they've become one of the few companies that I trust unconditionally when it comes to their products. Some other developers I might be hesitant and wait a while for reviews and opinions to float around. Not with them, never with them. It isn't some kind of blind fanboydom, but honestly earned confidence that has yet to be shaken. I still remember being a little kid and firing up Baldur's Gate, a game which is still amongst my favorites of all time.

I can still hear Kevin Michael Richardson's voice as Sarevok introducing me into the world of Faerun. The words of the Wise Alaundo are forever part of me, and I'll always be one of the Lord of Murder's mortal progeny. Something about that game gripped me deeply, and I know exactly what it is. I become so emotionally attached because of the moral choices inherent in the game. Even as a child I had a pretty strong grasp on reality and video games never made me question that, but for some reason I became invested when I knew that in some form my actions had consequences - unseen or anticipated. I had to make virtual life and death decisions, the kind of decisions that normal people never have to make through the whole of their natural lives. It was such a powerful experience that just never left me. Baldur's Gate II was even better, I can still play through that game and discover things I missed the last twelve play throughs. I can honestly say that those games are timeless, they stand up even to the present. Neverwinter Nights continued that tradition and I thoroughly enjoyed those games, but I must admit they scarcely shine a light to the brilliant radiance that is BG2. Yet they offered something entirely different that made them unique and brilliant in their own right.

The ability to create and forge my own modules, making stories and adventures for friends. That was the true magic of NWN and its successors. Writing up a short little adventure that exploded into a months long campaign as I guided the characters as the invisible hand of the DM, my friends writing their own stories into what I had created. It was a funny feeling to have created things like that, I'll never has as much fun as some of the times I had then. One of my most beloved characters was born out of a custom NWN module, Gaelwyn. A chaotic neutral wizard interested only in furthering his arcane art. Though even he in the end became a hero. Bioware didn't write it for us, but they allowed it to happen.

And consider how old those games are, and how much further their games have come. Knights of the Old Republic gripped me tightly and turned me on my ass with the reveal that the protagonist of the story was actually the Dark Lord of the Sith himself. The evidence had been there all the time, staring you in the face from the very first moments of the game. And yet the thought hadn't dawned upon me until the last few seconds before the reveal, as I sat on the edge of my seat crying out 'No, no no! It's not possible!' But it was. As the camera took in the view of Revan removing the mask. The rush of adrenaline and emotion was staggering, I hadn't expected it. That specific magic is gone now, but I can still play through the game. And when the reveal comes to bare I crack a little grin and a part of that feeling comes back. I recalled how much I didn't want it to be true. All of those emotions and feelings over something as simple as a video game.

Mass Effect brought something a little more unique to the moral dillemas. It wasn't so clear as good and evil. Instead you walked the line of political opinion, humans pitted against a galaxy that see them as a minor annoyance. Sure it's natural to play the role of the paragon, but who would not honestly become some kind of human supremacist when faced with a galaxy wrought with racism and intolerance towards your species. What is more important? The survival of galactic civilization or the dominant position of humans in the cosmos? Those aren't easy questions to answer, and the decisions often became sort of tough. And that is thrilling. It's just a game. I don't know how many times I can say that, how strongly I can stress it, but despite the fact that it's just a game the choices feel like they matter. Even if it is the 10th time I've played through, some deep part of me aches when I play the darker role. That is exhilarating on so many levels and it is magical that Bioware has been able to produce that feeling inside of me time and time again.

And the best part is that they're prepared to do it again, and again and again. Thus Bioware owns my soul. There are currently three games in development ((and a fourth unnamed next gen title)) that I've already resolved to purchase. No questions, come release day they will be mine. At the top of the list is Star Wars: The Old Republic.

It's no mystery that I adore Star Wars. Each and every one of the films, original trilogy and prequels have a special place in my heart. And as I own every Bioware game with the exception of their first title and the Sonic game, I own just about every PC Star Wars game ever. Its just something I enjoy quite a bit. Star Wars Galaxies was an important phase in my gaming career and I made a lot of important friends and connections then. People that I may not game with any more, but I try to keep as best contact as I can. So it is only natural that I hunger for SWTOR.

Yet part of me is conflicted. I've played MMOs since the advent of Ultima Online. Bioware has never done an MMO. But every other game they've ever made has been an incredible success. From the bits of information we've seen it looks to be every bit a Bioware game that it can be. But is it a WoW killer? Will it have what I desire in an MMO? I want to accrue wealth and power, play competitively against other players for a real tangible reward. I want to explore and find new things on a regular basis, things that have a significant effect on me. I've got these doubts, but it is still something I am going to support from the start. Even if it turns out to be a weak 'mmo,' it will still be a Bioware quality RPG. There can be no questioning the quality of their work, or how much they are willing to give to make a successful game. Just look at what they've invested for voice acting. Every line, every word will be spoken. The NPCs, companions, even the PLAYERS themselves. Incredible.

The story will also undoubtedly be incredible. I don't doubt that we'll get a glimpse into the unresolved issues we were left with at the end of KOTOR2, and Bioware being given such a vast expanse of unwritten territory to explore .. their newfound canon will be brilliant. I can't wait to be a part of it, even if only a distant observer. I've already written the character that I'll play. I'm ready for it. If you haven't seen the E3 cinematic, I highly recommend it. Immediately.

Next on the list is Dragon Age: Origins. What can I say other than it is the great grand child to Baldur's Gate. They are going to take everything that made it great and improve on it even more. At heart I am a writer and I have a deep appreciation for well written and well told stories. We're going to get a metric-awesome tonne in Dragon Age. I don't follow it as closely as I do SWTOR, but that doesn't change how incredibly excited I am for it. There are no words that can describe how deeply I regret the fact that I cannot make it to San Diego for the convention to get a taste of their demo. I must admit that I am terribly disappointed that there won't be a multiplayer component like there was in NWN, but the module builder will still be pretty cool. I will still have the opportunity to forge my own tales and share them with my friends in the hopes that I'll make something as memorable as the core game.

I am expecting the same kind of choices and decisions that have a direct and drastic impact, something that'll make me feel for the characters. Make me suffer regret if I take an action that leads to negative developments for other characters. Thinking about it makes my skin crawl.

Last but not least is Mass Effect 2. When I saw the teaser trailer my heart skipped a beat. Dead? Shepard can't be dead! He is the hero of the alliance and the first human specter! Shepard is untouchable! The Mass Effect games are planned to be a trilogy and the second looks to improve on virtually every aspect of the first. And the first was damn near perfect in my opinion. This time we have a new villain that isn't the Geth, and from the looks of the trailers the Normandy takes a wicked beating. These are even more characters that I've become emotionally involved with. I don't want to see any of them die, but damn what a story it'd be. Actually, I am even more excited to see what new faces I'll meet. What new allies Shepard will make as he struggles once again to save the galaxy. I simply cannot wait.

So needless to say I am a little passionate, but there is no doubt that Bioware owns my soul. They've already convinced me that I am going to buy their next three games. ((Lets face it, even though I don't know anything about their next gen title, I am going to buy that too. I mean cmon, we've got to be real about this.) And yet they are going to tantalize me even more with teasers in the form of trailers, screenshots and other delicious content.

Bioware, I salute you. You're all incredible, from Edmonton to Austin to the ends of the earth.


EDIT:
Crap, how could I forget Jade Empire? Trained to have a key flaw from the very beginning! That was a twist I scarcely expected, though I kind of anticipated the master to be the villain.