There is a lot of talk concerning BioWare right now, especially regarding the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series, but Jade Empire is another narrative treasure that deserves the same love. While many have been begging for a new Jade Empire game for over a decade, it's not looking likely in the foreseeable future, but we do have at least a glimpse at what could have been with some newly revealed concept art from the canceled Jade Empire sequel. 

BioWare has mentioned in the past that a Jade Empire sequel is "never dead," but the recent Stories and Secrets from 25 Years of Game Development book revealed the now-canceled concept of Revolver, a game that was meant to be the spiritual continuation of the Chinese mythology RPG. We've got another new look at what could have been when BioWare art director Matt Rhodes shared a few pieces of artwork on his Instagram account. 

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A post shared by Matt Rhodes (@mattrhodesart)

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A post shared by Matt Rhodes (@mattrhodesart)

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A post shared by Matt Rhodes (@mattrhodesart)

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A post shared by Matt Rhodes (@mattrhodesart)

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A post shared by Matt Rhodes (@mattrhodesart)

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A post shared by Matt Rhodes (@mattrhodesart)

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A post shared by Matt Rhodes (@mattrhodesart)

Each Instagram post above has numerous art entries per post, showing off villain concept art, shapeshifting, and an almost cyberpunk-esque take on what players loved about Jade Empire. 

"Beginning its life as a sequel to Jade Empire, Revolver evolved and changed course many times throughout its development," Rhodes wrote in a recent Instagram post. "It was recently revealed in more detail in the book Bioware: Stories and Secrets from 25 Years of Game Development. To celebrate, I sifted through the archives and blew 15 years of dust off some of my favorite pieces from that project."

The canceled sequel isn't something I would have expected as a Jade Empire fan, but it is intriguing nonetheless. The original vision for Revolver was an open-world adventure that took what players loved from BioWare's trademarked decision-making RPG elements and blending that with a non-linear story to lose oneself in. The now-canceled Jade Empire spiritual successor was in full-on development up until 2008 when it was eventually canned so that BioWare could pivot and focus on Dragon Age: Origins and the continuation of the Mass Effect trilogy. 

The artwork is interesting, but we're curious what you think. It's a big change from the Jade Empire we know and love, are you feeling the direction planned, or would you have rather had a more traditional sequel instead? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below! 

[Source: Instagram via Eurogamer]

Netflix confirmed another new Witcher adventure back in July of last year with a prequel story set 1,200 years before the time of Geralt of Rivia. Now, the streaming company has shared our first look at the cast of The Witcher: Blood Origin with Jodie Turner-Smith (Tom Clancy's WIthout Remorse, The Last Ship, Nightfilyers, Jett, Queen & Slim) taking on the role of Éile. 

Éile, according to Netflix, is a "fierce warrior with the voice of a goddess" and she's the first character to be revealed from the upcoming series. "The limited series will tell the story of the first Witcher prototype and the Conjunction of the Spheres," according to the series' official description. 

? WITCHER NEWS ALERT ?

The first cast for The Witcher: Blood Origin has been announced. Jodie Turner-Smith will play Éile, a fierce warrior with the voice of a goddess.

The limited series will tell the story of the first Witcher prototype and the Conjunction of the Spheres. pic.twitter.com/wTltgArMW7

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) January 25, 2021

The new series is a six-part live-action spinoff to the ongoing main series that was an instant hit for the streaming service. Blood Origin will be helmed by Declan de Barra alongside Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, the showrunner for the original The Witcher show. 

“As a lifelong fan of fantasy, I am beyond excited to tell the story The Witcher: Blood Origin,” mentioned executive producer Declan de Barra said in a press statement when the show was initially announced. “A question has been burning in my mind ever since I first read The Witcher books – What was the Elven world really like before the cataclysmic arrival of the humans? I’ve always been fascinated by the rise and fall of civilizations, how science, discovery, and culture flourish right before that fall.”

“I am so thrilled to collaborate with Declan and the Netflix team on The Witcher: Blood Origin," added showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich. "It’s an exciting challenge to explore and expand The Witcher universe created by Andrzej Sapkowski, and we can’t wait to introduce fans to new characters and an original story that will enrich our magical, mythical world even more."

With our first casting revealed for Blood Origin and Netflix's The Witcher season 2 back on track, there will be a lot of witchers to toss our coins to in the near future! Are you excited? Thoughts on the latest Witcher reveal? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below!