14 DAY TRIAL // Video game developer BioWare is announcing that it is launching a new Orbit framework under the open source model and that it is inviting all interested fans to download it and improve it, although it is unclear for which future projects the company wants to use the tools.
The official announcement states that "Orbit is a modern Java framework that makes it easier to build and maintain distributed, secure, and scalable online services. It is inspired by a variety of existing frameworks and brings some exciting new things to the table."
All interested gamers can get Orbit using a BSD license on GitHub and they are free to evaluate it or modify the code.
BioWare says that open source solutions have been used by the studio for a while now and the collaborative process will allow them to get an improved set of tools after feedback from the community is taken into account.
Joe Hegarty, the lead software developer at BioWare Online Services, is not saying exactly what future projects it will use the technology inside Orbit for, but presumably, those fans who end up collaborating with the team will get access to more information in the future.
BioWare is currently focused on Dragon Age and Mass Effect
Recently, BioWare and publisher Electronic Arts have launched the first piece of major downloadable content for Dragon Age: Inquisition, called Jaws of Hakkon, which introduces an entirely new area to explore and big and powerful enemies to take out.
The company has not revealed long-term plans for the title, but presumably DLC will be introduced this year to keep gamers engaged with the action role-playing game.
At the same time, BioWare is working on a new Mass Effect video game, which is currently in the initial stages of development and will not be connected in any way to the Commander Shepard trilogy.
It's unclear whether the new project will use the Orbit solution as it will be improved by the community.
BioWare is also involved with the push to create new Star Wars titles inside Electronic Arts, but the company has not officially talked about the video game it is working on, although a lot of fans are hoping that a third Knights of the Old Republic experience is being created.