Anthem’s lead producer Ben Irving has announced on Twitter that he’s leaving BioWare, where he’s worked since 2011, to move on to another gaming company – which remains unspecified for now – for “an exciting opportunity.” Irving joined BioWare as a producer on Star Wars: The Old Republic, which was a role he served for many years, before also adding Anthem to his resume.
In a thread of three tweets, other than announcing his departure, Irving also took the time to speak about Anthem. Irving says the troubled looter shooter has “a bright future” and has “a great team working on it”. Finally, he moves on to speak of his enjoyment interacting with the Anthem community, before ending his messages.
Anthem suffered a poor launch that saw the game getting criticized from all corners, and that criticism hasn’t died down in recent weeks or months. BioWare and EA have both been accused of roundly ignoring the game and not putting out nearly enough updates and improvements, many of which are either much-needed, or had been promised for a while (though it did recently receive the long-awaited Cataclysm event). The game’s future remains uncertain.
Regardless, we wish Irving the best for whatever lies next for him.
(1/3) After 8 amazing years at BioWare I have made the decision to move on and have accepted an exciting opportunity at another gaming company. Since the first time I played Baldurs Gate many many years ago, BioWare was the dream place I always wanted to work.
— Ben Irving (@BenIrvo) August 15, 2019
(2/3) I will forever be grateful to all the people who gave me the chance to work on great products with amazing people. I believe Anthem has a bright future – there is a great team working on it and I look forward to following its progress (and playing it!) from the sidelines.
— Ben Irving (@BenIrvo) August 15, 2019
(3/3) I have really enjoyed interacting with the Anthem community – Streams, Twitter and Reddit. Through the good times and the tough times. You all are in great hands with @Darokaz and @UNTDrew (and have been for some time now). I wish nothing but the best for all of you. Ben.
— Ben Irving (@BenIrvo) August 15, 2019
