Star Wars: Blogs | DrewK | Tales from the Dark Side

DrewK

by: karpyshyn

date posted: Mar 21, 2008 1:07 PM

Tales from the Dark Side

Wow - I can't believe how much time has gone by since my last post.

Since then I've finished off Mass Effect: Ascension, the sequel novel to Mass Effect: Revelation (released summer of 2008), and I've taken a much needed vacation to the island of St. Lucia (highly recommended - check out a restaurant in Rodney Bay called "The Edge").

I returned to find Revelation, the latest Legacy of the Force novel - not to be confused with the Mass Effect novel I wrote - had debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. (Congrats to Karen Traviss on that.)

And, finally, I've seen a storm of rumors and speculation sweep across the internet.

This isn't much of a surprise: the web is a breeding ground for misinformation and half-truths. But I figured I'd come and give everyone an udate about what's going on with me, and try to clear up some confusion about some upcoming projects - both my own, and BioWare's. I figure the easiest way to do this is a short little Q&A, based on the e-mails that have been coming into my website.

Q: What are you working on now?
A: Glad you asked! On the video game front, I'm the lead writer for Mass Effect 2, and BioWare is already churning hard on the sequel to our award winning game. On the novel front, I'm eagerly awaiting the spring/summer release of Rule of Two in paperback and Mass Effect: Ascension. I'm also trying to finish up my own original fantasy novel so I can send it out to some agents and publishers.

Q: Any plans for another Bane novel?
A: I'd love to do a third Bane novel. However, there are no official plans yet. Ultimately that decision is made by Lucas and Random House/Del Rey, based on their publishing schedule. From the sales of the first two novels I'm pretty confident they'll want to do another, but for now I just have to cross my fingers and wait.

Q: What about writing other types of Star Wars novels?
A: It's something I'd be interested in, but as of today there are still no official plans in place. If anything changes, I'll post updates on the NEWS section of my website.

Q: What about all these KOTOR 3 rumors I've been hearing?
A: Rumors are just that - rumors. Don't believe everything you read on the net.

Q: But I heard Lucas and BioWare had signed some kind of deal...
A: Yep, they did. But no details are released yet.

Q: Come on, it's got to be KOTOR 3 right?
A: I can't comment. Just let it go. You'll find out the details in due time. You'll just have to wait.

Q: Okay, fine. What about conventions and book signings? Anything planned?
A: Nothing specific. I want to try and get out to do some signings this summer; I'm hoping Del Rey will send me on a book tour to promote the paperback for Rule of Two and the release of Mass Effect: Ascension. (Hint, hint!) But nothing's on the table yet. As soon as I hear anything, I'll post it on my website and here on my blog.

Q: Seems like you're not really telling us anything.
A: Yeah, well... sometimes life is like that.

Q: I bet you don't even know anything about the BioWare and Lucas Arts deal!
A: I know a bit. But I can't talk about it.

Q: So what are you working on at BioWare right now?
A: Like I mentioned before, I'm the lead writer for Mass Effect 2.

Q: So is somebody else doing the Star Wars project?
A: I never said BioWare was doing another Star Wars project.

Q: Whatever. BioWare + Lucas Arts = Star Wars. We all know that.
A: Lucas has a bunch of other stuff in the pipes, too. The new Indy movie is coming out... look, I really can't say anything about unreleased projects.

Q: I heard Electronic Arts showed a slide at a shareholder's meeting that said BioWare was working on a new KOTOR.
A: That slide was a reference to our work on the original KOTOR. The purpose was to show shareholder's the kind of potential BioWare brings to the table, since we're now part of EA.

Q: But I saw on all these gaming websites that KOTOR 3 was in the works!
A: You shouldn't believe speculation and rumors. Seriously, just let this go. I will not comment on unreleased projects!

Q: Okay, okay. One last question. I heard about this BioWare MMORPG...
A: What about it?

Q: Is it Star Wars?
A: This interview's over!

http://blogs.starwars.com/DrewK/14

Click here to hide comments for this entry

	guiguioh A journey into the Star Wars universe
date Posted: Mar 21, 2008 1:28 PM Thanks Drew, I'm more confused now than before reading your blog entry. I'm sure it was your purpose.

JawaJoey
Return of the Jawa

date Posted: Mar 21, 2008 1:29 PM

But seriously, is it a Star Wars MMO? Because if so, I'd soil myself with glee.

As for things you actually might be able to answer, what kind of stuff are you doing for Mass Effect 2 at the moment? I'm curious because I know writing is done quite early, and I've been wondering just how early that is in the production cycle of a sequel. Okay fine, I guess that's a production question you probably can't answer either. *sigh*

Humble plug: I recently wrote a blog about the storytelling in KOTOR. Not to be presumptuous, I'd be ecstatic to hear what you have to say, since you are the man himself, after all.

comanderbly
That's Impossible. Even for a Computer.

date Posted: Mar 21, 2008 1:36 PM

Q: Seems like you're not really telling us anything.
A: Yeah, well... sometimes life is like that.

Haha! You gotta love the 'net rumor mill sometimes.

Glad to hear about your interest in writing more SW novels, and SW novels that are not necessarily Darth Bane. Your story telling is just awesome! Its also nice to know you are working on a fantasy novel. As a SW fan I have to break away and read different material sometimes. I'll be sure to check it out when it hits!

Thanks for the update!

	hansgirl3 Invoking the Squee
date Posted: Mar 21, 2008 1:45 PM That was a great Q&A session! I love RoT and truly hope you'll be doing another Bane novel. If not that, perhaps other ancient Sith lord novels would be awesome!

	Son Of Skywalker15 Son Of Skywalker's Datapad Of Thoughts and Opinions
date Posted: Mar 21, 2008 2:07 PM Drew, you're the best! You had me laughing when you came on EUCast, but this was great. To be honest, I'm really glad you did it. Maybe people will finally start listening to Bioware about Kotor 3. Anyway, I thought it was news worthy, so here's the article on EUC about it.

	usetheforce19 MasterMonkey13
date Posted: Mar 21, 2008 3:32 PM Nice to hear an update.

	nob01 Oil Bath Bubbles
date Posted: Mar 21, 2008 4:03 PM Shines bright light into Drew's face. Ve haf vays off making you talk! Ah well - I love your writing style, and relish the possibility of you getting another subject to tackle - you'd be a great choice to cover the pre-Clone Wars era.... I feel like we need to know more about specific jedi ( like ADF did in The Approaching Storm). Ta ta for now.

	DarthBroccoli Search your feelings, you know it to be true.
date Posted: Mar 21, 2008 4:17 PM Just wanted to say that I love Mass Effect, even though I'm not that far. One question: Bioware's other studio is making Dragon Age and the Sonic RPG, correct? Any comments on those?

	jkthunder Seven Pieces
date Posted: Mar 24, 2008 8:13 AM So when will you begin writing for KOTOR3 (or have you already)? Heh heh - I don't think this interview is helping to quell KOTOR3 rumors and anticipation, but it's awesome to hear about your other projects. May I ask if Mass Effect 2 is being developed for other platforms outside XBox 360?

	rpm285sm A Few Thousand Contradictions Walking In Close Formation
date Posted: Mar 25, 2008 1:18 AM First off, thanks for keeping us updated, especially since people obviously cant stop harassing you about some things. It's much appreciated. As to Bioware and Mass Effect 2: Ok, so I get that being lead writer for that is a full time job, but does Bioware ask you to consult/help write for other games as well or are you totally independent of them?

	Green Am I Mudhole? Slimy?! My blog this is!
date Posted: Mar 25, 2008 10:53 AM Anybody who worked on KotOR's writing has my respect. I guess we will just have to wait and see about the whole LucasArts/Bioware thing. It's quite a mystery, and I'm looking forward to seeing the answer!

	MizzeeOH MagiKotor
date Posted: Mar 27, 2008 8:25 PM Thankyou for writing this blog Drew! I haven't finished ME yet, but so far it's good, so I'll get Mass Effect 3 for sure. But define "due time".... LOL! May the Force be with you!

karpyshyn
DrewK

date Posted: Mar 27, 2008 8:43 PM

Hey, there. Just popped back in to try and answer some of the questions you've all posted here on the blog. So, here we go:

JawaJoey: That's a reasonably astute analysis of the KOTOR 1 story-telling technique: we intentionally tried to keep most of the action focused on the player, with brief shots of Malak. I didn't work on KOTOR 2, so I can't really comment on it.

Son Of Skywalker15: Thanks for posting it on the EUC website. Always good to get my name out there...

(continued)

karpyshyn
DrewK

date Posted: Mar 27, 2008 8:44 PM

DarthBroccoli: BioWare is working on Dragon Age and the Sonic RPG, but it's actually being done in Edmonton... the same studio I'm at. However, I'm not on those projects so I don't really have any inside info.

jkthunger: I don't know what the plan is for ME2 as far as multi-platform. We are now owned by EA, who has a history of cross-platform releases, but I can't promise anything.

(continued... stupid 750 char limit!)

karpyshyn
DrewK

date Posted: Mar 27, 2008 8:44 PM

rpm285sm: 90% of my time is spent on Mass Effect, but I do sometimes give feedback on other projects. It's something all the senior staff at BioWare do - it always helps to have a fresh pair of eyes looking at things. So, I have seen bits and pieces of other projects at various points in their development... but I can't say anything about them.

MizzeeOH: "Due time" is defined as whenever BioWare officially releases info...

So, there you go. Answers that are about as useful as the original Q&A. (Seriously, though, what did you expect?)

Embrace the dark side.

Drew

rpm285sm
A Few Thousand Contradictions Walking In Close Formation

date Posted: Mar 29, 2008 1:28 AM

I kinda figured you would given your senior staff position, but I thought it worth asking after. I'm always curious as to how things work within the studio, especially when it's Bioware. And I wasnt asking in an attempt to get any info out of you, the only time I'd be interested is if there's something in them your excited about that you wanted to share as I respect your opinion. Seems wrong to try to sneak info outta you about your work or anyone elses, you dont announce it for a reason, we should respect that.

Anyway, thanks again for keeping us up to date on things and answering questions; it's greatly appreciated.

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