{"id":1936632,"date":"2026-05-15T10:39:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T07:39:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1936632"},"modified":"2026-05-15T10:39:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T07:39:42","slug":"star-wars-the-old-republic-director-james-ohlen-discusses-bioware-exit-after-ea-killed-new-republic-reboot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1936632","title":{"rendered":"Star Wars: The Old Republic Director James Ohlen Discusses BioWare Exit After EA Killed New Republic Reboot"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-cy=\"article-content\" class=\"jsx-2870106660 article-content page-0\">\n<section data-cy=\"article-subtitle\" class=\"article jsx-3932497636 article-section jsx-28683165 news\" data-autopogo=\"true\">\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">James Ohlen, the former director of BioWare MMO <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/star-wars-the-old-republic\">Star Wars: The Old Republic<\/a>, has discussed his exit from the storied RPG maker in 2018 \u2014 after an attempt to reboot the game that ended up squashed by publisher EA.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Ohlen was a BioWare veteran of 22 years, with a string of high profile credits on BioWare classics such as Baldur&#8217;s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. In more recent times, Ohlen led Archetype Entertainment, a studio staffed by several former BioWare veterans making big budget Mass Effect-like <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/exodus\">Exodus<\/a>, a huge project starring Matthew McConaughey that will be eight years in the making by the time of its release in 2027.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Last year, Ohlen also moved on from Archetype \u2014 and now, he&#8217;s given a wide-ranging interview on his various departures, discussing in detail the effects of burnout he has felt over his long career in video games, as well as his long-scrapped plan to reboot Star Wars: The Old Republic under a new guise.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I always told everybody I should never be the head of a studio because it&#8217;ll kill me,&#8221; Ohlen told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/games\/rpg\/it-nearly-killed-me-why-studio-head-james-ohlen-left-sci-fi-rpg-exodus-mid-development-and-why-ea-crushing-his-star-wars-the-old-republic-reboot-was-the-beginning-of-the-end-at-bioware\/\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PC Gamer<\/a>, talking of his more recent departure from Archetype. &#8220;And it nearly killed me. It was six years of nearly killing me.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I was running on fumes, and it was hurting my health, and my personal life, and everything. I just needed to step away,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;As a creative you care about everything so much, and then as the head of the studio, you have to be cutting the baby in half all the time, and having people attack your vision constantly. I definitely wouldn&#8217;t put myself in that situation again; that&#8217;s not a healthy place to be.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">Star Wars: A History of the Galaxy From the Old Republic to the First Order<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Click through for a quick breakdown of the political power struggle in the Star Wars universe, from the heyday of the Old Republic all the way through the Rise of the First Order.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"While the distant past of the Star Wars timeline is shrouded in mystery (especially now that Expanded Universe stories like Dawn of the Jedi are no longer in continuity), we know that the Galactic Republic first formed around 25,000 years before the Star Wars movies.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 12 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"War was the status quo for much of the Republic's existence, as the Jedi defended the government from threats posed by the Sith and Mandalorians. The popular Knights of the Old Republic games are set around 3500 years before the movies, though their place in official canon is also in doubt.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Republic finally achieved a lasting era of peace and prosperity 1000 years before the Star Wars movies. This golden age is known as the High Republic, with the Jedi serving as peacekeepers and Arthurian-style knights defending a still very dangerous galaxy. \" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1000 years of peace came to an end by the time of the Star Wars prequels. Corruption and complacency gradually ate away at the core of the Republic, allowing the ambitious Senator Palpatine to work his way to the top and consolidate his grip on the galaxy.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"As Supreme Chancellor with nearly unlimited wartime powers, Palpatine orchestrated the Clone Wars and brought about the destruction of the Jedi Order. From the ashes of the dead Republic Palpatine established the First Galactic Empire.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Before Archetype, Ohlen rose through the ranks quickly at BioWare (&#8220;the last time I was truly in love with my job,&#8221; he claimed), and is credited as lead designer on beloved BioWare single-player RPG Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. This then led to BioWare&#8217;s bosses Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk asking if he would oversee a new BioWare Austin studio tasked with making the MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I was like, &#8216;I hate massive multiplayer games. But all right, I&#8217;ll do it,'&#8221; Ohlen said \u2014 before realizing it would be a &#8220;never-ending&#8221; project where he frequently had to spend time simply ensuring &#8220;big ego designers&#8230; didn&#8217;t kill each other.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I&#8217;m just not someone who can manage hundreds and hundreds of people to go in a different direction,&#8221; he said of The Old Republic&#8217;s early days. &#8220;Everyone wants to build [World of Warcraft] in space, and it&#8217;s my job to say no, we&#8217;re making [something different], and I wasn&#8217;t able to do that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Ohlen ultimately realized he would move on after what sounds like a lengthy and extremely difficult pitch to Lucasfilm and EA for a full reboot of the game, which would see it renamed Star Wars: The New Republic. Ohlen spent half a year on a plan before getting the greenlight from former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, as well as Star Wars creative boss Dave Filoni. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;He was like, &#8216;If you set it a couple hundred years before the fall of the Republic, we can have a tie in,'&#8221; Ohlen recalled of Filoni&#8217;s eventual agreement. (It&#8217;s a time period that sounds not dissimilar to Lucasfilm&#8217;s The High Republic, which the company has since mined for its storytelling potential.)<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I remember I got super excited because the big challenge was Patrick S\u00f6derlund [former EA chief design officer, who now heads up Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios],&#8221; Ohlen said next. &#8220;I think [he&#8217;s] great but hates Star Wars: The Old Republic. And I convinced him&#8230; it was one of the greatest accomplishments of my career.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">Every IGN BioWare Game Review<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/1999\/01\/19\/baldurs-gate-6&quot;&gt;Reviewed by Trent C. Ward&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;January 18, 1999&lt;br&gt;In the end, Baldur's Gate is the best thing to happen to computer role-playing games in a very long time. Not only has the game shown that you can build a statistics heavy game without making it boring or confusing, but it has shown that it's possible to build them with style and beauty. I recommend this game for anyone who enjoys fantasy, role-playing or adventure games. BioWare has not only done justice to the AD&amp;D license, they've set the standard for what role-playing games should be.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 42 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2004\/10\/19\/baldurs-gate&quot;&gt;Reviewed by Levi Buchanan&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;October 18, 2004&lt;br&gt;Baldur's Gate is a very worthwhile download for the more casual RPG fan, as I would suspect the majority of cellphone gamers are. If you're looking for a huge, deep RPG, you probably know that you beter start looking at your PC or at a game like Fable. But if you want an adventure with definite D&amp;D trimmings that can be consumed in bite-sized portions, look to Baldur's Gate. Think of it as a companion piece to your PC and console RPGs, a way to take swords and sorcery on the bus. It has a good length, decent graphics, and smart game play.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2000\/03\/31\/mdk2-2&quot;&gt;Reviewed by Brandon Justice&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;March 30, 2000&lt;br&gt;Nearly every aspect of Bioware's sensational sequel shines in a way that sheds a painfully revealing light on their competitors' glaring inadequacies. It may be too hard for some gamers, and that keeps it from being a game for everyone, but if you're up for a good old fashioned duel to the death, then no Dreamcast title available is more worthy of your money than MDK2.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt='&lt;a href=\"URL\"&gt;Reviewed by NAME&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;DATE&lt;br&gt;TEXT' class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt='&lt;a href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2001\/03\/28\/mdk2-armageddon\"&gt;Reviewed by Chris Carle&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;March 27, 2001&lt;br&gt;MDK 2: Armageddon is a great action title that is certainly worth twenty hours of your time. A great story, fast-paced adventure and a good deal of challenge make up for the fact that this game could (and did) look a lot better. Still, there is enough humor and fun here to warrant a purchase.' class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Unfortunately, everything then came crashing down. While S\u00f6derlund was sold, EA&#8217;s board of directors was not.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;[They] remembered spending $300 million,&#8221; Ohlen said, referring to The Old Republic&#8217;s high development costs. &#8220;They&#8217;re like, &#8216;Why the fuck are we gonna spend a bunch more?'&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;That was the beginning of the end for me,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;The only way you get through life is by having empathy for everybody, including people that are causing you pain. I was thinking of it through the lens of EA. And I&#8217;m like, there&#8217;s no way I&#8217;m ever going to win in this. It just doesn&#8217;t make sense to empower someone like me. If I was there, I wouldn&#8217;t. So I gotta get out. This is just not for me.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I would tell people, I&#8217;m actually a highly paid, completely useless person. It&#8217;s just that everyone thinks that I&#8217;m super useful because of my reputation. No one seems to be able to tell, except me. There&#8217;s research that shows that when you just feel like you&#8217;re not accomplishing anything, it&#8217;s actually the biggest thing to bring about burnout.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;My wife was like, &#8216;But you could have ridden it out. Don&#8217;t lots of execs do that?&#8217; And I&#8217;m like, &#8216;I know, but they&#8217;re not creatives. They enjoy the politics, and I don&#8217;t blame them. But that&#8217;s not what I like.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Ohlen is now in the middle of authoring various RPG adventure books, working alongside his former Archetype and BioWare colleague Jesse Sky (who is now Exodus&#8217; creative director). The promising-looking Exodus, meanwhile, is on track to finally release next year, and scratch the Mass Effect itch for many BioWare fans of old.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Tom Phillips is IGN&#8217;s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@tomphillipseg.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-1475529924\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 bobble bobble-1 pogocnt pg-article\">\n<div data-mix-name=\"secondaryMedrec\" data-pos=\"1\" data-pogo-hide=\"1\" class=\"jsx-343126785 pogo-slot\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">James Ohlen, the former director of BioWare MMO <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/star-wars-the-old-republic\">Star Wars: The Old Republic<\/a>, has discussed his exit from the storied RPG maker in 2018 \u2014 after an attempt to reboot the game that ended up squashed by publisher EA.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Ohlen was a BioWare veteran of 22 years, with a string of high profile credits on BioWare classics such as Baldur&#8217;s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. In more recent times, Ohlen led Archetype Entertainment, a studio staffed by several former BioWare veterans making big budget Mass Effect-like <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/exodus\">Exodus<\/a>, a huge project starring Matthew McConaughey that will be eight years in the making by the time of its release in 2027.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Last year, Ohlen also moved on from Archetype \u2014 and now, he&#8217;s given a wide-ranging interview on his various departures, discussing in detail the effects of burnout he has felt over his long career in video games, as well as his long-scrapped plan to reboot Star Wars: The Old Republic under a new guise.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I always told everybody I should never be the head of a studio because it&#8217;ll kill me,&#8221; Ohlen told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/games\/rpg\/it-nearly-killed-me-why-studio-head-james-ohlen-left-sci-fi-rpg-exodus-mid-development-and-why-ea-crushing-his-star-wars-the-old-republic-reboot-was-the-beginning-of-the-end-at-bioware\/\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PC Gamer<\/a>, talking of his more recent departure from Archetype. &#8220;And it nearly killed me. It was six years of nearly killing me.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I was running on fumes, and it was hurting my health, and my personal life, and everything. I just needed to step away,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;As a creative you care about everything so much, and then as the head of the studio, you have to be cutting the baby in half all the time, and having people attack your vision constantly. I definitely wouldn&#8217;t put myself in that situation again; that&#8217;s not a healthy place to be.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">Star Wars: A History of the Galaxy From the Old Republic to the First Order<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Click through for a quick breakdown of the political power struggle in the Star Wars universe, from the heyday of the Old Republic all the way through the Rise of the First Order.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"While the distant past of the Star Wars timeline is shrouded in mystery (especially now that Expanded Universe stories like Dawn of the Jedi are no longer in continuity), we know that the Galactic Republic first formed around 25,000 years before the Star Wars movies.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 12 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"War was the status quo for much of the Republic's existence, as the Jedi defended the government from threats posed by the Sith and Mandalorians. The popular Knights of the Old Republic games are set around 3500 years before the movies, though their place in official canon is also in doubt.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Republic finally achieved a lasting era of peace and prosperity 1000 years before the Star Wars movies. This golden age is known as the High Republic, with the Jedi serving as peacekeepers and Arthurian-style knights defending a still very dangerous galaxy. \" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1000 years of peace came to an end by the time of the Star Wars prequels. Corruption and complacency gradually ate away at the core of the Republic, allowing the ambitious Senator Palpatine to work his way to the top and consolidate his grip on the galaxy.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"As Supreme Chancellor with nearly unlimited wartime powers, Palpatine orchestrated the Clone Wars and brought about the destruction of the Jedi Order. From the ashes of the dead Republic Palpatine established the First Galactic Empire.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Before Archetype, Ohlen rose through the ranks quickly at BioWare (&#8220;the last time I was truly in love with my job,&#8221; he claimed), and is credited as lead designer on beloved BioWare single-player RPG Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. This then led to BioWare&#8217;s bosses Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk asking if he would oversee a new BioWare Austin studio tasked with making the MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I was like, &#8216;I hate massive multiplayer games. But all right, I&#8217;ll do it,'&#8221; Ohlen said \u2014 before realizing it would be a &#8220;never-ending&#8221; project where he frequently had to spend time simply ensuring &#8220;big ego designers&#8230; didn&#8217;t kill each other.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I&#8217;m just not someone who can manage hundreds and hundreds of people to go in a different direction,&#8221; he said of The Old Republic&#8217;s early days. &#8220;Everyone wants to build [World of Warcraft] in space, and it&#8217;s my job to say no, we&#8217;re making [something different], and I wasn&#8217;t able to do that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Ohlen ultimately realized he would move on after what sounds like a lengthy and extremely difficult pitch to Lucasfilm and EA for a full reboot of the game, which would see it renamed Star Wars: The New Republic. Ohlen spent half a year on a plan before getting the greenlight from former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, as well as Star Wars creative boss Dave Filoni. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;He was like, &#8216;If you set it a couple hundred years before the fall of the Republic, we can have a tie in,'&#8221; Ohlen recalled of Filoni&#8217;s eventual agreement. (It&#8217;s a time period that sounds not dissimilar to Lucasfilm&#8217;s The High Republic, which the company has since mined for its storytelling potential.)<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I remember I got super excited because the big challenge was Patrick S\u00f6derlund [former EA chief design officer, who now heads up Arc Raiders developer Embark Studios],&#8221; Ohlen said next. &#8220;I think [he&#8217;s] great but hates Star Wars: The Old Republic. And I convinced him&#8230; it was one of the greatest accomplishments of my career.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">Every IGN BioWare Game Review<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/1999\/01\/19\/baldurs-gate-6&quot;&gt;Reviewed by Trent C. Ward&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;January 18, 1999&lt;br&gt;In the end, Baldur's Gate is the best thing to happen to computer role-playing games in a very long time. Not only has the game shown that you can build a statistics heavy game without making it boring or confusing, but it has shown that it's possible to build them with style and beauty. I recommend this game for anyone who enjoys fantasy, role-playing or adventure games. BioWare has not only done justice to the AD&amp;D license, they've set the standard for what role-playing games should be.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 42 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2004\/10\/19\/baldurs-gate&quot;&gt;Reviewed by Levi Buchanan&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;October 18, 2004&lt;br&gt;Baldur's Gate is a very worthwhile download for the more casual RPG fan, as I would suspect the majority of cellphone gamers are. If you're looking for a huge, deep RPG, you probably know that you beter start looking at your PC or at a game like Fable. But if you want an adventure with definite D&amp;D trimmings that can be consumed in bite-sized portions, look to Baldur's Gate. Think of it as a companion piece to your PC and console RPGs, a way to take swords and sorcery on the bus. It has a good length, decent graphics, and smart game play.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2000\/03\/31\/mdk2-2&quot;&gt;Reviewed by Brandon Justice&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;March 30, 2000&lt;br&gt;Nearly every aspect of Bioware's sensational sequel shines in a way that sheds a painfully revealing light on their competitors' glaring inadequacies. It may be too hard for some gamers, and that keeps it from being a game for everyone, but if you're up for a good old fashioned duel to the death, then no Dreamcast title available is more worthy of your money than MDK2.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt='&lt;a href=\"URL\"&gt;Reviewed by NAME&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;DATE&lt;br&gt;TEXT' class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt='&lt;a href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2001\/03\/28\/mdk2-armageddon\"&gt;Reviewed by Chris Carle&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;March 27, 2001&lt;br&gt;MDK 2: Armageddon is a great action title that is certainly worth twenty hours of your time. A great story, fast-paced adventure and a good deal of challenge make up for the fact that this game could (and did) look a lot better. Still, there is enough humor and fun here to warrant a purchase.' class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Unfortunately, everything then came crashing down. While S\u00f6derlund was sold, EA&#8217;s board of directors was not.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;[They] remembered spending $300 million,&#8221; Ohlen said, referring to The Old Republic&#8217;s high development costs. &#8220;They&#8217;re like, &#8216;Why the fuck are we gonna spend a bunch more?'&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;That was the beginning of the end for me,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;The only way you get through life is by having empathy for everybody, including people that are causing you pain. I was thinking of it through the lens of EA. And I&#8217;m like, there&#8217;s no way I&#8217;m ever going to win in this. It just doesn&#8217;t make sense to empower someone like me. If I was there, I wouldn&#8217;t. So I gotta get out. This is just not for me.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I would tell people, I&#8217;m actually a highly paid, completely useless person. It&#8217;s just that everyone thinks that I&#8217;m super useful because of my reputation. No one seems to be able to tell, except me. There&#8217;s research that shows that when you just feel like you&#8217;re not accomplishing anything, it&#8217;s actually the biggest thing to bring about burnout.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;My wife was like, &#8216;But you could have ridden it out. Don&#8217;t lots of execs do that?&#8217; And I&#8217;m like, &#8216;I know, but they&#8217;re not creatives. They enjoy the politics, and I don&#8217;t blame them. But that&#8217;s not what I like.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Ohlen is now in the middle of authoring various RPG adventure books, working alongside his former Archetype and BioWare colleague Jesse Sky (who is now Exodus&#8217; creative director). The promising-looking Exodus, meanwhile, is on track to finally release next year, and scratch the Mass Effect itch for many BioWare fans of old.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Tom Phillips is IGN&#8217;s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@tomphillipseg.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>James Ohlen, the former director of BioWare MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic, has discussed his exit from the storied RPG maker in 2018 \u2014 after an attempt to reboot the game that ended up squashed by publisher EA. Ohlen was a BioWare veteran of 22 years, with a string of high profile credits on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,243],"class_list":["post-1936632","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-ign-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1936632","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1936632"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1936632\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1936632"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1936632"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1936632"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}