BioWare’s Jade Empire remains one of the studio’s most unique RPGs, a martial arts-infused adventure with deep storytelling. Yet, despite its quality, it never got the chance to become a franchise—largely due to Microsoft’s poor timing and decision-making.

Among BioWare’s many RPG projects, few stand out quite like Jade Empire. Released in 2005, the game was led by Kevin Martens, who also worked on Diablo 3 and Mass Effect. It was one of the best exclusives for the original Xbox, blending real-time combat with an engaging world inspired by Chinese mythology. However, despite a warm reception, it never got the opportunity to expand into a full-fledged franchise.

Speaking on a podcast quoted by GamesRadar, BioWare co-founder Dr. Greg Zeschuk shared his regrets about the game’s launch. He revealed that Jade Empire suffered because it arrived at the very end of the original Xbox’s lifecycle—just months before Microsoft abandoned the console in favor of the Xbox 360.

Jade Empire Could Have Thrived on Xbox 360—But Microsoft Had Other Plans

The timing issue wasn’t BioWare’s fault—it was Microsoft’s. According to Zeschuk, BioWare had originally wanted to launch Jade Empire on the Xbox 360 instead. However, Microsoft’s CEO at the time, Steve Ballmer, overruled them, insisting that it remain an original Xbox release. “That was a really stupid piece of advice,” Zeschuk said.

Had the game been delayed by just six months and launched alongside the Xbox 360, it could have found a much larger audience. Instead of being one of the final games on a dying system, it could have been a flagship title for Microsoft’s new console. “If we had been given just a little more time, we could have reworked it for the 360 and made it a much bigger success,” he added.

While Jade Empire received praise for its story and setting, its combat system left something to be desired. Zeschuk admitted that the mechanics weren’t as refined as those found in other BioWare games, which may have contributed to its lack of long-term success.

Today, Jade Empire is regarded as a cult classic, with many fans still hoping for a sequel. However, despite occasional rumors, BioWare stated as far back as 2007 that there were no plans for Jade Empire 2—and there likely never will be.

Source: 3DJuegos