BioZone Articles

4 Million Community Members
[July 2008] The BioWare Community celebrates a major milestone with a few surprises.

Mass Effect PC visits Warsaw, Poland
[May 2008] Chris Priestly demos Mass Effect for PC in Europe! Falls in love with Poland.

Mass Effect Community Event
[November 2007]
Read about a special event for a select group of BioWare community fans who were treated to free travel, food and accommodation, demonstrations of Mass Effect, interview time with Casey and the Mass Effect team, studio tours, and hands-on time with the game before it was available in the stores.

Ray and Greg Answer Fan Questions
[November 2007]
BioWare's Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk answer questions directly from the fans about the future of BioWare, Mass Effect, Electronic Arts and facial hair.

The BioWare Community Team Visits PAX and X07
[September 2007]
Read about the capers of the community team gone wild at PAX 07 and X07.

BioWare World Design Contest
[May 2007]
With the success of last year's writing contest, BioWare has decided to follow it up this year with a world design contest.

BioWare Community Team Grows
[September 13, 2006]
To help BioWare move into exciting new spaces of community, we have hired a Community Coordinator whose name (if you have spent any time on our official forums, it will be familiar) is Chris Priestly.

Interviews with the BioWare Writing Contest Winners
[May 3, 2006]
Read this special series on the authors of the modules that were recognized for their writing quality and ability to tell a good story in a tiny little 4 by 4 square.

BioWare Writing Contest Winners
[April 12, 2006]
The results are in and winners of the BioWare Writing Contest announced!

Closing Thoughts on the BioWare Writing Contest
[April 12, 2006]
Kevin Barrett shares his thoughts about the contest and some tips for up-coming-writers.

BioWare Joint CEO Snags Grand Prize in D.I.C.E. Poker Tournament
[February 23, 2006]
Read how BioWare Joint-CEO Ray Muzyka bets big and wins big at the 2006 D.I.C.E. Summit Celebrity Poker Tournament.

Four Easy Steps To Omnipotence
[February 22, 2006]
BioWare's Senior Writer for Mass Effect provides excellent tips and advice in four easy steps about building worlds that are worth spending time in.

Tips on Reviewing Modules
[February 15, 2006]
Two top reviewers from the Neverwinter Vault share their tips and advice on reviewing entries for the BioWare Writing Contest.

Call For Focus Testers: BioWare needs YOU!
[January 26, 2006]
Are you interested in participating in the game development process? Do you think you know what makes a game great? BioWare is interested in hearing from you!

Submit Your Writing Contest Entry
[January 18, 2006]
Learn how to submit your writing contest entry.

BioWare's Kevin Barrett Answers Buckets of Contest Questions
[January 11, 2006]
Kevin Barrett answers several questions burning in fans' minds about the BioWare writing contest.

Attention Writers! An Interview with BioWare's Kevin Barrett
[December 14, 2005]
We speak with Kevin Barrett, BioWare's Assistant Director of Design, about his work, his thoughts on new writers wanting to break into the business, and his involvement with the exceptional contest BioWare is currently running for aspiring writers.

The Contest That Might Become Your Career
[November 30, 2005]
BioWare is holding one of the most exciting contests in our history. Anyone who has dreamed of writing professionally will find this a unique opportunity to get their work noticed by the right people. We are looking for exceptionally talented writers to help develop our award-winning role-playing games.

Pure Speculation: The Last Best Hope For Geeks
[October 26, 2005]
Too long has the fine, fine city of Edmonton, Alberta been without a serious gathering of geeks. The call went out some years back and was heeded by one Brent Jans, who took up the lordly scepter of the Mountain Dew and multicolored dodecahedrons and got a darn convention organized. His event, called Pure Speculation, runs October 29-30 2005 and includes local luminaries and even the odd BioWarian thrall. Read on.

BioWare Forums Pass 5 Million Posts
[August 31, 2005]
The BioWare Forums recently reached an amazing new milestone of 5 million forum posts, and our BioWare Community Manager has sleuthed out who the poster was and has put them to the question, inquisition style.

Canada Rawks
[July 13, 2005]
Intrepid Community Manager Jay Watamaniuk abuses his infinite cosmic powers to investigate the mysterious Canadian connection to Neverwinter Nights. Learn of his provocative findings, vicious ice monkeys, and Canada's albino flora.

Super-Powered Tools for Mod-Force!
[March 23, 2005]
The foundation of any community is based on the enthusiasm and talent of its members and the tools that are available to create new content. In our first article on the new partnership between BioWare and Irrational Games, General Manager and Creative Director Ken Levine hinted at what was coming down the pipe for Modder fans of Freedom Force. The Mod Force tools that will be available for Freedom Force vs. The 3rd Reich are powerful, new and allow for beginners to advanced users to modify, create and build whole new stories and worlds. Ken Levine gives the Mod community some tips on the fabulous new tools.

Heroes Unite! Partnership between BioWare and Irrational Games announced!
[March 8, 2005]
BioWare has teamed up with Irrational Games to help promote the launch of Irrational's new release, the super-hero epic Freedom Force® vs. The 3rd Reich. This new partnership is a direct result of BioWare's mission to deliver the best story-driven games in the world and seek out other game developers that share this vision. We got a chance to speak with Ken Levine, the General Manager and Creative Director of Irrational Games, and we share his words with you.

BioWare Online Store Q&A With Ray & Greg
[March 2, 2005]
We caught up recently with BioWare joint-CEOs, Ray and Greg, to find out what exciting things are in the works for the BioWare Online Store. In this brief interview, plans are revealed for the sale of physical products and more story-based games!

BioWare Casting Call
[February 2, 2005]
Have you always wanted to be in the video game industry? This could be your chance to get a head start. Head on down to our Edmonton Casting Call on February 4 and 5, 2005 and get some face time with our casting people.

BioWare and Microsoft Welcomes International Press
[December 15, 2004]
International journalists got an exclusive look at BioWare's upcoming Xbox title Jade Empire. BioWare and Microsoft welcomed 35 journalists from around the world December 7th and 8th to take a sneak peak at the highly anticipated action-RPG, Jade Empire, and to interview key members of the Jade team.

BioWare Online Store Interview
[November 10, 2004]
The doors opened November 10th to BioWare's Online Store! This is a huge new initiative for BioWare that comes from our commitment to this gaming community. Sporting fresh new adventures for Neverwinter Nights fans to explore is only the beginning of what fans can expect! We caught up with BioWare Joint-CEO Ray Muzyka, Marketing Director Craig Priddle, Live Team Lead Designer Rob Bartel, Client Care Specialist Jason Barlow, and yours truly to answer a few questions about the BioWare Online Store.

BioWare Gen Con 2004
[August 25, 2004]
Our brave Community Manager, Jay Watamaniuk, reports from the field at this year's Gen Con in Indianapolis. Read how he avoids a close brush with death by taking photos of a Tigerlady and his experience being on the show floor meeting and greating BioWare fans from around the world.

BioWare Summer Barbeque
[June 30, 2004]
It was time to air ourselves out and give the computer chairs a much needed rest. So, we converged at the Snow Valley park for barbequed delicacies, pop, and face painting.

Jade Empire Was A Huge Success!
[May 19, 2004]
The BioWare team is back from E3, safe and sound. And what a show it was! Jade Empire was very well received by everyone. Check out the reviews and previews and a final batch of pics from the trade show.

Jade Empire Is A Big Hit At E3!
[May 13, 2004]
E3 attendees are wild about Jade Empire. Somehow, amidst the thunderous, flashing, electrifying atmosphere of the game show floor, BioWarians are delivering detailed and entertaining demos to eager booth visitors, and all reports say that Jade is a big hit! View the latest photos fresh from the digital camera as well as pics from BioWare's hosted Fan Party that took place last night.

Road To E3: BioWare Builds A Big Booth
[May 12, 2004]
E3 threw open its doors today and the throngs are thronging. In Part 2 of our 2004 coverage series, read about our booth preparations and check out new pics from the trade show floor.

Road To E3: Revving Up For E3 2004
[May 5, 2004]
BioWare gets revved up for the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, California. Get the inside scoop on how we're preparing for the show and check out the pics.

Women in IT 2004
[April 16, 2004]
Early in March, BioWare's Adriana Lopez and Sophia Smith participated in "Women in IT 2004", an event for high-school girls organised by the Edmonton branch of the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) held at St. Joseph Catholic High School.

Richard Iwaniuk Presented With The 2004 Early Achievement Award
[March 15, 2004]
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta have awarded Bioware's own Richard Iwaniuk with the 2004 Early Achievement Award, which recognizes chartered accountants who demonstrate excellence in their career and commitment in community or volunteer services.

BioWare Toy Drive for Santa's Anonymous
[January 8, 2004]
Once again, BioWarians chip in to make sure children in need get Christmas presents.

BioWare Moves!
[December 18, 2003]
After several years at its offices on Edmonton's Whyte Avenue, BioWare has moved into a brand new office space!

BioWare Visits Korea!
[November 4, 2003]
Photos from BioWare's recent Korean tour showcasing Neverwinter Nights!

The Jade Empire Scream Sessions
[October 8, 2003]
Read and listen to what we put ourselves through to make our new game trailer just that much more BioWare.

KotOR Release Party
[July 31, 2003]
BioWare boards the Edmonton Queen to celebrate Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic's release.

Who's your baba?
[July 3, 2003]
BioWare Babas serve up some Ukrainian treats.

BioWare Supports the Stollery Children’s Hospital
[June 24, 2003]
BioWare teamed up with Microsoft to bring the BioWare Extreme Gaming zone to the Teddy Bear Picnic.

Breakfastic II
[June 9, 2003]
BioWare bacons up the sausage for all staff to enjoy. Warning: the following story contains graphic depictions of meat.

BioWare at E3 2003: Coverage & Reviews
[May 21, 2003]
E3 is now over, and the reviews are pouring in! This page will be updated with new reviews as we find them.

BioWare at E3 2003: The Final Word
[May 18, 2003]
Tom Ohle sent us this article at the end of another incredibly successful E3. Included are some great pictures of BioWare's presence.

BioWare at E3 2003: Setting Up
[May 14, 2003]
The BioWare Crew sets up at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, California. Check out the pictures.

The 1st Edmonton BioBoards O.T. Shindig
[Jan 30, 2003]
On January 25, 2003, brave denizens of our Off-Topic forums met BioWare staffers for an evening of food, drink, and merriment.

Focus Testing for NWN Plot Wizard
[Jan 14, 2003]
In October/November 2002, we invited Edmonton Neverwinter Nights community members to be part of a secret experiment at the BioWare offices. Here is their tale...

BioWare at the Snowflake Gala 2002
[Jan 7, 2003]
BioWare sponsors the Snowflake Gala 2002, a fundraiser for the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation ...

Hockey Week Three
[Nov 25, 2002]
The continuing story of Team Mary-Kate and Team Ashley...

KoTOR Press Visit
[Nov 21, 2002]
Mmmm... press visit.

BioWare Company Picnic
[Nov 21, 2002]
Mmmm... barbecue.

Neverwinter Nights in Korea
[Nov 8, 2002]
Dr. Ray Muzyka visits Korea.

Air Hockey Table Arrives!
[Nov 6, 2002]
We shipped our Air Hockey table to Georgia.

Halloween at Bioware
[Oct 31, 2002]
Around BioWare, a group of brave souls did their part to get in the Halloween spirit by dressing up in their own costumes.

Hockey Week Two
[Oct 30, 2002]
Now with 100% more goaltender.

Hockey Night at Bioware
[Oct 17, 2002]
Bioware drops the gloves for some old time hockey.

BioWare attends local Career Fair
[Oct 7, 2002]
For the third year in a row, BioWare participates in the annual Career Fair at the University of Alberta.

Style and Profile...
[Sept 24, 2002]
The Summer 2002 issue of UofA Engineer features a look at BioWare’s Casey Hudson.

Concept Art Cornucopia...
[Aug 22, 2002]
Samples of NWN Concept Art.

BioWare at GenCon 2002
[Aug 16, 2002]
The gang is all back from GenCon 2002, and overall we had a great show!

Weekend Warriors
[Aug 16, 2002]
BioWare plays paintball!

BioWare at Fragapalooza 2002
[July 25, 2002]
This year's Fragapalooza was a big hit! BioWare was invited to attend, and do a bit of demoing for the fine folks attending the show.

Road to E3 - Part 9
[May 29, 2002]
E3 2002 Coverage & Reviews

Road to E3 - Part 8
[May 29, 2002]
Pictures from the Last Day of E3!

Road to E3 - Part 7
[May 24, 2002]
Photos from Day Two at E3!

Road to E3 - Part 6
[May 22, 2002]
We complete the final construction phase of the BioWare booth at E3!

Road to E3 - Part 5
[May 21, 2002]
Pictures from last night's Xbox event, which profiled upcoming Xbox titles, including Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic!

Road to E3 - Part 4
[May 20, 2002]
BioWare has arrived at E3, and we have the pictures to prove it!

Road to E3 - Part 3
[May 15, 2002]
With less than a week left until E3, it is high time for another "Road to E3" article!

Road to E3 - Part 2
[May 1, 2002]
E3 is less than a month away, and loads of preparation is required to make sure the show is a success.

Neverwinter Nights Press Visits
[April 29, 2002]
On April 10^th and 11^th, 16 journalists from England, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Benelux experienced Neverwinter Nights for the first time.

Road to E3 - Part 1
[March 26, 2002]
To give readers a bit of insight into what sort of preparation is required for such a huge event, we will be providing ongoing coverage of our Road To E3 right here, starting today.

BioWare versus the killer, rabies-carrying, zombie rabbit mountain.
[March 04, 2002]
Numerous BioWare employees embarked on an epic journey to the monstrous land formation locals have dubbed "Rabbit Hill."

It Wasn't Pretty...
[Jan 25, 2002]
Foosball has been a staple of the BioWare staff’s at-work recreation for some time now, and just recently, the first quarterly BioWare Foosball League season drew to a close. Here's the recap of the final!

First Annual BioWare Kiddie Kristmas Party
[Jan 11, 2002]
BioWare held its first annual Kiddie Kristmas party on December 15 in our office lounge, where little hands played foosball, air hockey and generally ran amok.

On the first day of Christmas...
[Dec 18, 2001]
Santa's Anonymous is a local radio station's annual toy drive, donating gifts to less fortunate families in the Edmonton area. BioWare again contributed to this great cause, and we've got a write-up of the event right here.

Our Lunch Was In Your Hands...
[Oct 3, 2001]
A while ago, we asked you, our esteemed website visitors, to help us with a dilemma... where do we go for lunch?