

BioWare co-founders quit studio, retiring from games

Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk to pursue endeavors outside of games industry

BioWare's co-founders Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka have announced their departure from the studio and retirement from the games industry entirely.


Both have published lengthy blog posts breaking the news to fans, and offering word on their plans for the future outside of the games industry.

"This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make; after thinking about it for many months, I made the decision to retire from videogames back in early April 2012," said Muzyka in his post.

Zeschuk wrote, "After nearly twenty years working at BioWare I've decided it's time to move on and pursue something new."

He goes on to admit that his passion for making games has waned. "This decision isn't without significant pain and regret, but it's also something I know I need to do, for myself and my family. I've reached an unexpected point in my life where I no longer have the passion that I once did for the company, for the games, and for the challenge of creation," he said.


As for their future plans, Zeschuk's turning his focus to beer. "After my departure I'm going to be spending significant time with family and friends, as well as pursuing some personal passion-driven projects related to craft beer. The main project I will be working on is a web-based interview show called The Beer Diaries where I interview notable brewers and showcase their beers."

Muzyka, on the other hand, will be pursuing entrepreneurship. "I've largely personally achieved what I wanted in videogames; I now desire to take on a brand new entrepreneurial challenge," he said.

"I believe strongly in the power of free enterprise to enable sustainable change, so my next 'chapter' will likely focus on an entirely new industry, something exciting, different and frankly downright scary - investing in and mentoring new entrepreneurs, and more specifically, the field of social/impact investing."

Zeschuk later says that a return to games isn't entirely out of the question. "If things go well, I'll work on other beer-related shows, apps and projects. If not, I'll have drunk a lot of tasty beers and may be back in games or even something else completely different."

Today's announcements come after reports in August that Zeschuk had left his position as general manager of BioWare Austin.

The pair founded BioWare in 1995 after graduating in the medical field, along with Augustine Yip who quit the firm in 1997 to return to medicine.