History Creator / BioWare

** Franchise/DragonAge started with the VideoGame/DragonAgeOriginsAwakening expansion where players could import their player character, keeping all their equipment, levels, and story decisions. By the time of the third game, VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition, the amount of choices became so myriad that Bioware made an entire web application called Dragon Age Keep where people could upload or even modify their world states from previous games and their accompanying DownloadableContent so new players wouldn't be as left behind as old ones.

* OldSaveBonus: Started with ''VideoGame/BaldursGate'' where a character imported from the first game could have better stats and some items that could be use to forge new gear. Taken UpToEleven during the ''Franchise/MassEffect'' series where an imported character would carry over a huge number of decisions from the first game that would majorly impact the second (and a number of minor impacts too). Expect this to go even further in the third game.

** ''Franchise/MassEffect'': Ashley, Liara and Tali from the first game. Archangel/Garrus, [[spoiler: Legion]], Tali ([[BadassInDistress again]]. [[UpToEleven Twice]]), arguably Jack and Grunt from the second game. In retrospect, [[spoiler: Wilson is a subversion, since he's the one who coordinated an attack on the facility on behalf of the Shadow Broker.]] An awful lot of people meet Shepard and the crew as they come in during a BigDamnHeroes moment as well.

** Conversely, the ''Dragon Age'' series has adopted ''Mass Effect''[='=]s Dialogue Wheel subsystem for PlayerCharacter's dialogue selection UI. It has replaced the fully written-out dialogue lines from ''Dragon Age
Origins'' with up to six dialogue options arranged around a central circle (the eponymous "wheel"), which now consist of a few keywords and are color-coded if they affect the KarmaMeter. The rationale behind this was that dialogue wheels are much easier to navigate with a controller (''DAO'' was primarily designed as a PC title, while later installments were MultiPlatform), make it easier to rerecord the PC's voiced dialogue (after ''DAO'', all player characters have been voiced -- another thing the series has adopted from ''ME''), and render karma effects of dialogue choices more transparent (''DAO'' had no KarmaMeter).

** Perhaps the most blatant example of this trope is Merrill and Isabela in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII''. Merrill is an innocent, cute elf mage, while Isabela is a dusky, buxom, promiscuous pirate girl who doesn't wear pants.

** Perhaps the most blatant example of this trope is Merrill and Isabela in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII''. Merrill is an innocent, cute elf mage. While Isabela is a dusky, buxom, promiscuous pirate girl who [[PantyShot doesn't wear pants]].

[=BioWare=] is a Canadian video game developer based in Edmonton, Alberta and known for developing {{Western RPG}}s. Formed in 1995 by three doctors, [[ArtifactTitle hence the name "BioWare"]], their first products were patient simulation software. Initially they produced {{licensed game}}s but they've been creating their own universes since 2005 and are part of Creator/ElectronicArts since 2009. For a while, a number of other EA studios were also under the [=BioWare=] label. Mythic Entertainment, Victory Games, and EA 2D (incorporating [[VideoGame/SuperheroCity KlickNation]]) have all been considered part of [=BioWare=] at some point. However, those studios have mainly been spun off again (or closed) since then, leaving just the "core" [=BioWare=] (meaning the original Edmonton studio and an online-focused studio in Austin).

* BlueIsHeroic / RedIsViolent: In their games with a set KarmaMeter, party members tending more to the "good" alignments often use blue backgrounds and more amoral or TokenEvilTeammate characters will be depicted with red backgrounds. The PlayerCharacter starts with a gray background that becomes darker blue or red depending on the player's alignment choices.

* LoadsAndLoadsOfLoading: Commonly found in their games, but as computers got faster, this became less of an issue.

** ''NeverwinterNights/ShadowsOfUndrentide'', expansion (2003)

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* NonHeteronormativeSociety: Pretty much every one of their titles post-Baldur's Gate. Franchise/MassEffect and Franchise/DragonAge manage to hit all kinds of points in the LGBTQ+ rainbow, including same-sex romances options being a standard part of their settings. It's {{Downplayed}} with their ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'' titles, as Creator/LucasArts had strict policies against LGBTQ+ content. [[note]] Juhani was done in defiance of the then-current ban on same-sex romances. When VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic came out several years later, the ''lack'' of same-sex romances caused enough complaint that they were added into expansions [[/note]] They still sneaked the first lesbian character into Franchise/StarWarsLegends, with the complete ''lack'' of anyone reacting to Juhani's preference for women saying more than anything.

** ''Shadow of Undrentide'', expansion (2003)
** ''Hordes of the Underdark'', expansion (2003)

In spite of the [[NamesTheSame names being similar enough]], [=BioWare=] does not own the ''VideoGame/{{BioShock}}'' franchise.

** ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' had it vetoed by Creator/LucasArts, though a ''very'' subtle female-only romance arc with Juhani [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar managed to sneak in anyway.]]

* NonHeteronormativeSociety: Pretty much every one of their titles post-Baldur's Gate. Franchise/MassEffect and Franchise/DragonAge manage to hit all kinds of points in the LGBTQ+ rainbow, including same-sex romances options being a standard part of their settings. It's {{Downplayed}} with their ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'' titles, as Creator/LucasArts had strict policies against LGBTQ+ content. [[note]] Juhani was a case of GettingCrapPastTheRadar in defiance of the then-current ban on same-sex romances. When VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic came out several years later, the ''lack'' of same-sex romances caused enough complaint that they were added into expansions [[/note]] They still sneaked the first lesbian character into Franchise/StarWarsLegends, with the complete ''lack'' of anyone reacting to Juhani's preference for women saying more than anything.

** Perhaps the most blatant example of this trope is Merrill and Isabela in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII''. Merrill is an innocent, cute, {{adorkable}} elf mage. While Isabela is a dusky, buxom, promiscuous pirate girl who [[PantyShot doesn't wear pants]].

* {{Adorkable}}: At least one or more recruitable party member will qualify, particularly the Betties in the BettyAndVeronica entry below.

* BadassGay: There's a ''reason'' [=BioWare=] has an LGBTFanbase, and it comes in the form of usually having at least one badass bisexual or gay character in their games. ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' even included a badass transgender character.

** The ''VideoGame/DragonAgeAwakening'' expansion has Anders, Oghren, Sigrun and Justice all traditionally rescued, while Velanna subverts this because the Warden was actually rescuing trade caravans ''from'' her. Likewise, Nathaniel is first encountered in the dungeons after being captured during an attempt to ''murder'' the Warden.

** ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'': Hawke for Flemeth, and then more conventionally: Sten, Shale and arguably Wynne (if you didn't pick the mage background).
** The ''Awakening'' expansion has Anders, Oghren, Sigrun and Justice all traditionally rescued, while Velanna subverts this because the Warden was actually rescuing trade caravans ''from'' her. Likewise, Nathaniel is first encountered in the dungeons after being captured during an attempt to ''murder'' the Warden.

* BiTheWay: ''Knights of the Old Republic'' included a lesbian love interest, which reportedly didn't sit so well with Creator/LucasArts. Since then, all games included at least one bisexual love interest of either sex that are open to same sex relationships. True to the trope, this is never treated as something unusual by the games, mostly because their "bisexual" characters have ''nothing'' changed by the PC's sex.

[=BioWare=] is a Canadian video game developer based in Edmonton, Alberta. They are known for developing {{Western RPG}}s. Formed in 1995 by three doctors, [[ArtifactTitle hence the name "BioWare"]], their first products were patient simulation software. Initially they produced {{licensed game}}s but they've been creating their own universes since 2005 and are part of Creator/ElectronicArts since 2009. For a while, a number of other EA studios were also under the [=BioWare=] label. Mythic Entertainment, Victory Games, and EA 2D (incorporating [[VideoGame/SuperheroCity KlickNation]]) have all been considered part of [=BioWare=] at some point. However, those studios have mainly been spun off again (or closed) since then, leaving just the "core" [=BioWare=] (meaning the original Edmonton studio and an online-focused studio in Austin).

As of early 2020, [=BioWare=] faces a very uncertain future. Once near-universally considered the top studio for Western [=RPG=]s, [=BioWare=]'s releases throughout the 2010s have been met with very serious controversy and criticism, with their last unqualified AAA hit being ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' in early 2010. In addition to a ''greatly'' diminished reputation for quality writing, modern [=BioWare=] has struggled to find a place for itself among modern industry trends. What was once [=BioWare=]'s fairly unique signature mechanic of 'Give the player a team of companions to lead, fight alongside, talk to, and fall in love with' has been successfully adapted by other studios. Meanwhile, [=BioWare=]'s attempts to reinvent its franchises as [[WideOpenSandbox Wide Open Sandboxes]] have had poor results: ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'', ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda'', and ''[[VideoGame/Anthem2019 Anthem]]'' have all been derided for having shallow open worlds filled with fetch quests with very weak or nonexistent story content attached. In the wake of the disappointing ''Mass Effect: Andromeda'' and ''Anthem'', reports have emerged of a studio plagued with weak and ineffective leadership and extremely high staff turnover. It remains to be seen if [=BioWare=] will be able to restore its reputation as a creator of great games with great stories.

As of early 2020, [=BioWare=] faces a very uncertain future. Once near-universally considered the top studio for Western [=RPG=]s, [=BioWare=]'s releases throughout the 2010s have been met with very serious controversy and criticism, with their last unqualified AAA hit being ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' in early 2010. In addition to a ''greatly'' diminished reputation for quality writing, modern [=BioWare=] has struggled to find a place for itself among modern industry trends. What was once [=BioWare=]'s fairly unique signature mechanic of 'Give the player a team of companions to lead, fight alongside, talk to, and fall in love with' has been successfully adapted by other studios. [=BioWare=]'s attempts to reinvent its franchises as [[WideOpenSandbox Wide Open Sandboxes]] have had poor results: ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'', ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda'', and ''[[VideoGame/Anthem2019 Anthem]]'' have all been derided for having shallow open worlds filled with fetch quests with very weak or nonexistent story content attached. In the wake of the disappointing ''Mass Effect: Andromeda'' and ''Anthem'', reports have emerged of a studio plagued with weak and ineffective leadership and extremely high staff turnover. It remains to be seen if [=BioWare=] will be able to restore its reputation as a creator of great games with great stories.

[=BioWare=] is a Canadian video game developer based in Edmonton, Alberta. They are known for developing {{Western RPG}}s. Formed in 1995 by three doctors, [[ArtifactTitle hence the name "BioWare"]], their first products were patient simulation software. Initially they produced {{licensed game}}s but they've been creating their own universes since 2005 and are part of Creator/ElectronicArts since 2009. For a while, a number of other EA studios were also under the [=BioWare=] label. Mythic Entertainment, Victory Games, and EA 2D (incorporating [[VideoGame/SuperheroCity KlickNation]]) have all been considered part of [=BioWare=] at some point. However, those studios have mainly been spun off again (or closed) since then, leaving just the "core" [=BioWare=] (meaning the original Edmonton studio and an online-focused studio in Austin). [=BioWare=] has been split from EA Games [[http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/36385/Major_Executive_Label_Shifts_At_Electronic_Arts.php into their own label]], meaning that they have their own advertising staff.

Some of their [=RPGs=] have developed a reputation for being the video game equivalent of {{door stopper}}s, in the best sense of that term. You play a [=BioWare=] game ''because'' of the dialogue trees, the hours spent on developing side characters, understanding the world, and reading the Codex. The writing tends to be of good quality too, reinforcing how you play a [=BioWare=] game for the story, not for the gameplay.

Compare and contrast Creator/ObsidianEntertainment, with whom [=BioWare=] has a surprisingly fond relationship. Both companies had close links to Creator/{{Interplay|Entertainment}} and both specialize in story-driven Western-style [=RPGs=].

* ''VideoGame/Anthem2019''

!!Cancelled works:
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* ''VideoGame/ShadowRealms''
* ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer2013'' [[note]]Victory Games, the [=EA=]-owned studio which worked on the Command & Conquer reboot, was rebranded [=BioWare=] Victory part way through development (although it had moved back to its original brand by the time the game got cancelled).[[/note]]
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[=BioWare=] [=RPGs=] are sometimes called a genre itself. While it's not exactly true, their [=RPGs=] are indeed unique. They have a number of persistent tropes that move from game to game, and only setting is changed.

This being said, worldwide popularity, influence and acclaiming of [=BioWare=] games once again proves to the world the fact which is well-known in our community: Administrivia/TropesAreTools.

This being said, worldwide popularity, influence and acclaiming of [=BioWare=] games once again proves to the world the fact which is well-known in our community: TropesAreTools.