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Saying he needed a break from video games development in favor of something “smaller and more personal,” BioWare’s James Ohlen, a 22-year veteran of the company, told fans he was leaving yesterday.
Ohlen subsequently tweeted that he is writing a hardcover sourcebook for Dungeons & Dragons’ fifth edition, titled Odyssey of the Dragonlords. Ohlen will be teaming up with Jesse Sky, another BioWare alumnus.
The first book I'm working on is called Odyssey of the Dragonlords. I'm working on it with another former Creative Director from BioWare - Jesse Sky. Plus a mystery writer that I've worked with before https://t.co/uhUqy4Y6rf
— James Ohlen (@JamesOhlen) July 12, 2018
Ohlen had been the lead designer of MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic, as well as for the original Baldur’s Gate and also had design credits with Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire and Mass Effect: Andromeda.
“The most fun I’ve ever had at BioWare was as the lead designer on Baldur’s Gate 1+2 and [Neverwinter Nights],” Ohlen said. His D&D fandom is what led him to his new gig writing the book for a project called Arcanum Worlds.
BioWare has been in somewhat of a well known transition though it isn’t believed that Ohlen’s departure has anything to do with that. The company’s next game will be Anthem, which is slated to launch Feb. 22, 2019 on PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One.
