BioWare, the gaming titan celebrated for masterpieces like Baldur’s Gate, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age, could have added another gem to its crown. Jade Empire, a martial arts RPG exclusive to the OG Xbox, had all the potential to blossom into a full-fledged franchise. However, it reportedly stumbled out of the gate due to ill-timed advice from Microsoft, as revealed by BioWare co-founder Dr. Greg Zeschuk.
According to a discussion on the My Perfect Console podcast, Zeschuk divulged regrets surrounding the official launch of Jade Empire. This occurred during the end times of the original Xbox, just before the introduction of Xbox 360. Released on April 12, 2005, Jade Empire came merely months before the Xbox 360 launched on November 22, 2005. Microsoft’s insistence on an early launch, despite Zeschuk’s reservations, led to what he described as “the worst advice” and “absolute moronic advice.”
Zeschuk envisioned that a strategic delay could have enhanced Jade Empire, leveraging the superior capabilities of the Xbox 360. While acknowledging the original game’s combat limitations, he posited that positioning Jade Empire as a launch title could have birthed “another franchise,” significantly elevating its initial success. A hypothetical parallel exists where the game could have capitalized on the RPG void within the 360’s release roster, joining the ranks of notables like Mass Effect and Dragon Age that truly defined the console’s era.
Despite talks of sequels and spiritual successors that never materialized, Jade Empire remains an intriguing “what if” in gaming history. In the current landscape, BioWare faces its own set of challenges after several strategic restructurings and project uncertainties, with its future hinging on the next entry in the Mass Effect series. As industry enthusiasts reflect, it’s tantalizing to ponder how a different launch trajectory for Jade Empire could have altered both the game’s legacy and BioWare’s broader historical tapestry.
