Baldur’s Gate Lead Designer James Ohlen Leaves BioWare After 22 Years

James Ohlen, the lead designer on the original Baldur’s Gate, has announced his departure from BioWare after a two decade-plus career at the developer.

During his tenure at BioWare he worked on classic titles like Neverwinter Nights, Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire, and even modern titles like Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Mass Effect: Andromeda. The last title he worked on prior to leaving was the upcoming shooter, Anthem.


While most big names that depart studios they worked under for a time usually wait to confirm their next project, Ohlen wasted no time in telling his fans where he’ll be next. His next stint is a return to what he loves working on the most: Dungeons and Dragons.

“The most fun I’ve ever had at BioWare was as the lead designer on Baldur’s Gate 1+2 and NWN. I’ve been a D&D fanatic since I was 10 years old and I want to be a part of it again,” he tweeted. “Please visit arcanumworlds.com to see what I’m talking about.”

The site describes his new gig as “a publishing venture formed by a small group of passionate veterans from the video games industry. We build epic adventures for the world’s greatest roleplaying game.”

Before you go and start dancing in the streets thinking he’s working on a big new Dungeons and Dragons RPG, Ohlen confirmed that he’s working on a hardcover sourcebook for DnD 5th Edition, via Wizards of the Coast’s Open Game License.

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