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BioWare gets MMOG middleware

By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpotPosted Aug 8, 2006 4:05 pm PT

Developer's new Austin studio signs on as first licensee for Simutronics' HeroEngine for use in its debut title.

Middleware is a growing field in gaming. Whether it's a program designed to handle one aspect of a game really well (the foliage-generating SpeedTree or the Havok physics engine) or a more broadly applicable tool (Epic Games' Unreal engine), there's a growing market for applications that relieve developers of certain game-development burdens.

In the latest big-name middleware deal, Simutronics today announced that it has licensed its HeroEngine massively multiplayer online role-playing game tool to BioWare. The program, which can be used by developers for everything from game design to billing players, is at the heart of Simutronics' own Hero's Journey MMO game, set for release in 2007.

The Edmonton, Alberta-based BioWare licensed the HeroEngine for use in the first title from its new satellite studio, BioWare Austin. Simutronics claims that the HeroEngine can cut two years of technology development time off of licensee schedules, allowing them to get games onto shelves in half the time.

Typically BioWare develops its own engines for its games in-house, although this is not the first time it has taken the middleware route. The company has licensed Unreal Engine 3 for use in its upcoming Xbox 360 sci-fi action role-playing game, Mass Effect.

48 Comments

  • AgentPix

    Posted Mar 5, 2009 3:04 pm PT

    God i want that engine..

  • Antinate

    Posted Aug 10, 2006 8:02 am PT

    KOTOR is more of an RPG than Oblivion. Oblivion is an action game with RPG elements. Realism has nothing to do with anything.

    Bioware themselves said that they are making an MMORPG. Check their website if you deny this statement in any way, shape, or form.

  • wallydog63

    Posted Aug 10, 2006 2:38 am PT

    First off, just because they're using a graphics engine that is use for a morph doesn't mean they're making one. It could be use for any number of games, non mmorphing games.
    Secondly, Yuck-Foo you're just plane mentel not to think kotor is a real rpg. Lets get real shall we. To clue you in it uses the same system as Balders Gate. It use the AD&D rules and advancement system. The game is almost Balders Gate only with a different view and set in the star wars realm. The game kicked major ass. As for Hot Potato, you are sadly mistaken if you think kotor is more of a rpg then Oblivion. They both are very much alike. Major difference is appearance. In both games stats increase. In both games skills increase. Difference there is in kotor you get to choose what you want to advance. In Oblivion, how much you use that skill determines if it advances. Oblivions is more realistic. In real life, you don't get to choose which skill you want to advance. In real life you get better at the things you do more of. The more practice the better you get. So take another look at them and tell me that kotor is more of an rpg then Oblivion. Not that it matters cause there both great.
    Lastly, I really hope it's not a mmo there making. God I hate MMO's. I'll never ever buy one.

  • elfman27

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 6:15 pm PT

    Finally i cant wait they have good computer games.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 12:44 pm PT

    noo just make another rpg not an mmo

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 12:27 pm PT

    I'm interested.

  • Ghost777

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 12:00 pm PT

    kambion313 and Ch3rub you proved my point. I am not that intelligent but still managed to score a 148 average across several IQ tests. Because a nimrod like me scored that well really goes to show just how imbecilic the average really is.

    Najikill there is a sorta spiritual MMORPG NWN. It's called DDO. While not as closed ended as NWN ( and what mmorpg would have a closed ending ) it very well implements the feel of PnP DnD as well as can be expected in todays market.

    As for a mmorpg from Bioware I hope it does well for them. They need a cashcow to be able to continue bringing out fantastic rpg's.

  • Hot_Potato

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 9:06 am PT

    Yuck_Foo
    "KotOR was excellent...but I'd not call it a true RPG...at least not compared to the Baluders Gate and Elder Scrolls type games."

    Are you joking? KotOR was more RPG than Oblivion. Oblivion is a great game, but only RPG in the sense that you can level up and use magic. Other than that it's a fantasy action game. Oblivion is not a true RPG game. It should have been "Oblivion was excellent...but I'd not call it a true RPG... at least not compared to KotOR."

  • Najikill

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 7:40 am PT

    I would like to see an MMO RPG alla Neverwinter Nights.. That would be lovely..

    I'm so sure this will hold water..

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 6:55 am PT

    KotOR was excellent...but I'd not call it a true RPG...at least not compared to the Baluders Gate and Elder Scrolls type games.

    However Diablo was called an RPG as well...in any case I look forward to good things from this.

  • ch3rub

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 5:07 am PT

    I do agree with you freeid, but after releasing Oblivion Bethseda is for me at the same level as BioWare is - it is a bit different type of a game but still Oblivion is absolutely great piece of RPG! Im playing it all the time and it really does give you a fell of freedom which RPG is all about for me.

  • freeid

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 4:38 am PT

    Ill buy this just because it has the Bioware logo, and they have never let me down when it comes to RPG's. Since we lost Black Isle, Bioware is the best rpg maker still around, and I include SE and Bethseda in that statment.

  • GFofgaming

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 4:24 am PT

    Bioware is the only successful western RPG developer. I admire thier work, if only make games for ps3 also.

  • panquecas

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 3:51 am PT

    The-AirHendrix-
    Bioware's really gotta stay off the RPGs. Kotor was really bad.

    you are a noob, kotor is the best rpg of last generation

  • kittencrusher

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 3:30 am PT

    Bioware is over-rated. I already have other MMO's I'm going to be getting so I really don't care. lol

  • soulknight63133

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 2:29 am PT

    Bioware has done a great job thus far, I see no reason why their next project after Mass Effect shouldn't be a huge success also. I really enjoyed KOTOR. How come no one has done an RPG with voice command for spells yet? It seems to work pretty good for tactical squad base games.

  • The-AirHendrix-

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 2:13 am PT

    Bioware's really gotta stay off the RPGs. Kotor was really bad.

  • ch3rub

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 1:34 am PT

    Yeah Ghost777 - we can see how very intelligent u are ;/ btw. This is a great news IMO - now Bioware can focus on the plot / game mechanics and save a lot of time on the engine/graphics itself. BioWare games are one of the best games I ever played (BG 1&2, NWN, KOTOR, Jade Empire) - hope to see more such titles. Can not wait for Mass Effect - the characters (and everything else ) look just unbelievable !

  • kambion313

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 12:52 am PT

    wow weakest comment ever...

  • Ghost777

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 12:36 am PT

    sSubZerOo you need to get off your high horse or at least read before posting. gonzalezj1 was quoting TRJC. TRJC was the one that said Bioware does Rail games. gonzalezj1 was defending Bioware.

    (edit) Now that I am no longer inebriated I realized that last part did nothing to promote the OP story.

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