By CCN Markets: Anthem’s lead producer, Ben Irving, revealed that he is set to depart from developer BioWare, marking a further somber note in the title’s short, but turbulent history.
Taking to Twitter to announce the news earlier today, Irving explains he will be moving to an as of yet undisclosed company, but still within the gaming industry.
(1/3) After 8 amazing years at BioWare I have made the decision to move on and have accepted an exciting opportunity at another gaming company. Since the first time I played Baldurs Gate many many years ago, BioWare was the dream place I always wanted to work.
— Ben Irving (@BenIrvo) August 15, 2019
(3/3) I have really enjoyed interacting with the Anthem community – Streams, Twitter and Reddit. Through the good times and the tough times. You all are in great hands with @Darokaz and @UNTDrew (and have been for some time now). I wish nothing but the best for all of you. Ben.
— Ben Irving (@BenIrvo) August 15, 2019
Irving: Troubled BioWare Game Has a ‘Bright Future’
Alongside waxing lyrical about his long tenure at BioWare, Irving praises the remaining Anthem team and presages a ”bright future” for the game. Although PR lacquer befitting the situation envelops such an optimistic take, Irving’s departure represents a spoke in the wheels of the very future he predicts.
Personal circumstances may very well fuel Irving’s decision, but to onlookers, it raises questions. Is Anthem’s current state so dire that even its makers are jumping ship?
Anthem’s Unfortunate Path to Failure
BioWare battled a rocky launch amidst vehement backlash from players. The poorly received, not to say delayed, attempts at improving the game with sporadic updates didn’t do much to help. The latest update, Cataclysm, was released to little fanfare earlier this month, demonstrating that Anthem is quickly becoming a costly mistake for publisher EA.
Today’s news is tinged with a degree of sadness given the lofty expectations evoked by Anthem’s well-oiled marketing build-up. But most of all, it does little to assuage concerns that the game is already a dismal failure despite BioWare’s best efforts.
Two years ago when EA unveiled Anthem at E3, few could have predicted such a vertiginous fall for a game with so much promise.
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