Casey Hudson, project director on various games such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire, Neverwinter Nights and the entire Mass Effect series, has left BioWare.
Writing a farewell note on the Bioware Blog, Hudson detailed his decision to leave:
After what already feels like a lifetime of extraordinary experiences, I have decided to hit the reset button and move on from BioWare. I’ll take a much needed break, get perspective on what I really want to do with the next phase of my life, and eventually, take on a new set of challenges.
Though there’s never an easy time to make a change like this, I believe this is the best time for it. The foundation of our new IP in Edmonton is complete, and the team is ready to move forward into pre-production on a title that I think will redefine interactive entertainment. Development for the next Mass Effect game is well underway, with stunning assets and playable builds that prove the team is ready to deliver the best Mass Effect experience to date. And the Dragon Age: Inquisition team is putting the final touches on a truly ambitious title with some of the most beautiful visuals I’ve seen in a game.
But while I feel that the time has come, this is without a doubt the most difficult decision of my career. BioWare is as magical a place today as it was when I started. The projects we are working on are some of the most exciting and prestigious in the world. The talent in our teams is second to none. And the people here are some of my closest friends. I’ve spent more time with many of you than my own family, and I have enjoyed every day of it.
Well damn. Hudson was also working as executive producer on the next Mass Effect game for Bioware, but it looks like that franchise will have to go on without his genius. Still, 16 years is a long stretch of time, but it’s one that has paid off with one of the better trilogies in gaming today.
Last Updated: August 8, 2014
Kromas
August 8, 2014 at 09:10
Just remember this is the same guy who said the ME3 endings were fine and people should deal with it. (I am paraphrasing ofc. he actually said we should deal with their artistic vision. Actually he also was the one who lied to us about the multiple endings. Actually he can leave it would be for the better)
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 09:11
Also the same guy who helped shaped your beloved series. So we should allow the ending to taint that image of him?
Kromas
August 8, 2014 at 09:15
Hmm … Peter Moly was exceptional in his day.Now he is a blowhard with overhyped games and let us not forget that iphone app piece of crap he made. John Romero was the grandaddy of FPS but after daikatana he is just a name. What I am saying is that Casey is past his prime just like everyone who used to be good. Time to go.
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 09:19
What exactly did Casey do that gives the impression he is past his prime? ME 3? That is no way comparable to daikatana or that cube nonsense….Everyone is singing praises of his departure due to an ending?……He deserves much more respect than that
Kromas
August 8, 2014 at 09:22
He lied to us firstly and that I take very critically. Then you forget DA2 as well as the SWOTOR price debacle. I am not saying he was not a great guy but I am saying now is the perfect time for him to leave before he becomes someone we would really hate.
Also I love him for ME but I also loved John for DOOM. Does not really mean I want them to continue down a path that would see them really screw up more.
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 09:32
DA 2? was he involved in that game? and a price debacle? Well in anycase, He was responsible for a lot of amazing games, I understand the ending hurt a lot of people, but I dont see him going down a path of John or moly. not in the least. But I get it……I just dont think he deserves the current hate he is geting
Dutch Matrix
August 8, 2014 at 09:34
He’s getting the hate because gamers… (refresh)
Rince
August 8, 2014 at 10:08
Indeed 😉
Kromas
August 8, 2014 at 09:41
Oh I will never hate him but I lost all trust for him after he blatantly lied to our faces. Still you gotta respect the work he did on amazing games like ME and let us not forget he was part of the MDK dev team. 🙂
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 09:42
Yeah no, agh, I know the feeling. I can totally understand the betrayal. Will be interesting to see what path ME 4 will take
Kromas
August 8, 2014 at 09:47
Yeah the rather unimpressive half interview trailer with like 1 screenshot from E3 was bloody annoying … I was like “GIMME MOAR!”
Rags
August 8, 2014 at 09:15
I agree with him (=
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 09:10
And now that he’s leaving the same ol arguments about ME 3’s ending is coming up. I hope wherever he finds himself it will contain less death threats than when he was working at Bioware. I wish Bioware would leave EA all together
Kromas
August 8, 2014 at 09:10
Just remember this is the same guy who said the ME3 endings were fine and people should deal with it. (I am paraphrasing ofc. he actually said we should deal with their artistic vision. Actually he also was the one who lied to us about the multiple endings. Actually he can leave it would be for the better)
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 09:11
Also the same guy who helped shaped your beloved series. So we should allow the ending to taint that image of him?
Kromas
August 8, 2014 at 09:15
Hmm … Peter Moly was exceptional in his day.Now he is a blowhard with overhyped games and let us not forget that iphone app piece of crap he made. John Romero was the grandaddy of FPS but after daikatana he is just a name. What I am saying is that Casey is past his prime just like everyone who used to be good. Time to go.
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 09:19
What exactly did Casey do that gives the impression he is past his prime? ME 3? That is no way comparable to daikatana or that cube nonsense….Everyone is singing praises of his departure due to an ending?……He deserves much more respect than that
Kromas
August 8, 2014 at 09:22
He lied to us firstly and that I take very critically. Then you forget DA2 as well as the SWOTOR price debacle. I am not saying he was not a great guy but I am saying now is the perfect time for him to leave before he becomes someone we would really hate.
Also I love him for ME but I also loved John for DOOM. Does not really mean I want them to continue down a path that would see them really screw up more.
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 09:32
DA 2? was he involved in that game? and a price debacle? Well in anycase, He was responsible for a lot of amazing games, I understand the ending hurt a lot of people, but I dont see him going down a path of John or moly. not in the least. But I get it……I just dont think he deserves the current hate he is geting
Dutch Matrix
August 8, 2014 at 09:34
He’s getting the hate because gamers… (refresh)
Rince
August 8, 2014 at 10:08
Indeed 😉
Kromas
August 8, 2014 at 09:41
Oh I will never hate him but I lost all trust for him after he blatantly lied to our faces. Still you gotta respect the work he did on amazing games like ME and let us not forget he was part of the MDK dev team. 🙂
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 09:42
Yeah no, agh, I know the feeling. I can totally understand the betrayal. Will be interesting to see what path ME 4 will take
Kromas
August 8, 2014 at 09:47
Yeah the rather unimpressive half interview trailer with like 1 screenshot from E3 was bloody annoying … I was like “GIMME MOAR!”
Matthew Holliday
August 8, 2014 at 11:00
Molyneux and romero lost perspective. claiming progress for progress’ sake, rather than to better the industry.
Hudson is still involved with classy games, his games have a real sense of scale, but with hasty decision making at clutch moments.
i think he should have stuck it out with his current projects, made it the best it could be, then quit while he’s ahead. he cant take credit for something he didnt finish, so he’ll be forever remembered for the ME3 endings.
Rags
August 8, 2014 at 09:15
I agree with him (=
Ultimo_Cleric N7
August 8, 2014 at 13:32
While I agree, he was still the guy who headed ME, KOTOR etc up in the first place. No matter what he did with ME3 in the end, he will still be sorely missed.
Thanks for everything Casey Hudson. Your good definitely outweighed the bad.
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 09:10
And now that he’s leaving the same ol arguments about ME 3’s ending is coming up. I hope wherever he finds himself it will contain less death threats than when he was working at Bioware. I wish Bioware would leave EA all together
Admiral Chief Dovahkiin
August 8, 2014 at 09:11
Cmon, KOTOR3!!!!!!!!
Here is how it ranks, in terms of SQUUUEEEEEE factor for next iterations of games:
– Kotor3 (first, second, third, fourth and fifth place)
– Half Life 3
– Mass Effect 4
– System Shock 3
– New Fallout
Admiral Chief Dovahkiin
August 8, 2014 at 09:11
Cmon, KOTOR3!!!!!!!!
Here is how it ranks, in terms of SQUUUEEEEEE factor for next iterations of games:
– Kotor3 (first, second, third, fourth and fifth place)
– Half Life 3
– Mass Effect 4
– System Shock 3
– New Fallout
Rags
August 8, 2014 at 09:16
Thanks Mr H, for bringing us some of the best and most memorable, even life changing games. <3
Rags
August 8, 2014 at 09:16
Thanks Mr H, for bringing us some of the best and most memorable, even life changing games. <3
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
August 8, 2014 at 09:25
What a sexy creature in that header. Who’s the creepy guy with the dark hair though?
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 09:32
Thats Shepard….I didn’t know you found Casey sexy………..
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
August 8, 2014 at 09:56
FFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
I didn’t see Shepard’s head there in the background.
Darnit Shepard!
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
August 8, 2014 at 09:59
But now that I have seen Shepard standing there I couldn’t resist:
(refresh)
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 10:03
LOLOL Perfect XD
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
August 8, 2014 at 10:05
Missed header opportunity I tell you
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 10:15
two times in one day
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
August 8, 2014 at 10:16
Tsk tsk. Lagz be slipping up
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
August 8, 2014 at 09:25
What a sexy creature in that header. Who’s the creepy guy with the dark hair though?
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 09:32
Thats Shepard….I didn’t know you found Casey sexy………..
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
August 8, 2014 at 09:56
FFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
I didn’t see Shepard’s head there in the background.
Darnit Shepard!
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
August 8, 2014 at 09:59
But now that I have seen Shepard standing there I couldn’t resist:
(refresh)
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 10:03
LOLOL Perfect XD
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
August 8, 2014 at 10:05
Missed header opportunity I tell you
Umar
August 8, 2014 at 10:15
two times in one day
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
August 8, 2014 at 10:16
Tsk tsk. Lagz be slipping up
CypherGate
August 8, 2014 at 09:31
The new ME better be as good as the trilogy. Thats basically one of the only games im waiting for to jump on the next gen consoles. With MKX of course and Dragon Age Inquisition. I know the new ME will be coming much much later though.
CypherGate
August 8, 2014 at 09:31
The new ME better be as good as the trilogy. Thats basically one of the only games im waiting for to jump on the next gen consoles. With MKX of course and Dragon Age Inquisition.
Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)
August 8, 2014 at 09:34
This guy is a massive loss to Bioware. He gave us the BEST RPG saga since Baldur’s Gate.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 8, 2014 at 10:32
He has nothing to do with The Witcher 😉
Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)
August 8, 2014 at 10:37
I see what you did there, and will reward you with a high-5! 😉
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
August 8, 2014 at 10:38
LMAO!!! You sir… wins the internet!
Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)
August 8, 2014 at 09:34
This guy is a massive loss to Bioware. He gave us the BEST RPG saga since Baldur’s Gate.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 8, 2014 at 10:32
He has nothing to do with The Witcher 😉
Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)
August 8, 2014 at 10:37
I see what you did there, and will reward you with a high-5! 😉
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
August 8, 2014 at 10:38
LMAO!!! You sir… wins the internet!
Rince
August 8, 2014 at 10:06
Good luck bro!
Rince
August 8, 2014 at 10:06
Good luck bro!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
August 8, 2014 at 10:07
I can’t say i’m saddened by this. It appears he chose a colour for his ending! Let us never forget… Marauder Shields tried to warn us.
http://th06.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2012/202/5/1/marauder_shields_by_flgstudios-d4tclue.png
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
August 8, 2014 at 10:07
I can’t say i’m saddened by this. It appears he chose a colour for his ending! Let us never forget… Marauder Shields tried to warn us.
http://th06.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2012/202/5/1/marauder_shields_by_flgstudios-d4tclue.png
Aussious
August 8, 2014 at 13:53
C’mon James the man is a living Legend, he brought us KOTOR, Jade Empire, Neverwinter, Bulder’s Gate I won’t even mention Mass Effect and Dragon Age. Sniff.. Sniff I promise I am not crying ;- (
Dutch Matrix
August 8, 2014 at 10:19
Casey Hudson: I love the man, but he still has to answer for his atrocious behaviour: How can he show us nightmare fuel nudity, but pretty boobs are a no-no?
Please refresh…
Dutch Matrix
August 8, 2014 at 10:19
Casey Hudson: I love the man, but he still has to answer for his atrocious behaviour: How can he show us nightmare fuel nudity, but pretty boobs are a no-no?
Please refresh…
Eternus
August 8, 2014 at 10:31
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…. all I can hear is .. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Eternus
August 8, 2014 at 10:31
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…. all I can hear is .. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Aussious
August 8, 2014 at 13:45
I am heart broken…
Kensei Seraph
August 8, 2014 at 15:27
Whenever I see a Krogan I think of this
http://betweenfailures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014-07-14-BFP1261-diplomat.png
http://betweenfailures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014-07-19-BFP1263-seaworld.png