Lead writer Mac Walter has said the next Mass Effect from BioWare won't be using any of Commander Shephard's 'events' from the first three games as anchor points in the next instalment. One of the team's key goals is that it can't "just feel like a spin-off," that it must be a Mass Effect adventure "at its heart, at its core." No Shepard or "Shepard specific companions."
Developer BioWare release some teasing shots of their staff working on the next Mass Effect instalment, the first outside of the Shephard saga. They posted the photos yesterday to mark 'N7 Day'. They were being right clever clogs and using the Alliance's N7 military designation on November 7th, which is a group Commander Shephard was a part of. Multiple images were released.
Bioware has issued a statement that will disappoint fans of Commander Shepard: there will be no info about the next Mass Effect game until 2014.
BioWare Edmonton and Montreal general manager Aaryn Flynn commented on Twitter after a hands on session with the highly anticipated next title in the series. "Great time playing the next Mass Effect game in Montreal," he said, "Ambitious. Beautiful. Fresh but recognizable. And fun."
Bad Ass Cakes and the EXP Restaurant and Bar, located in Vancouver, British Columbia, have collaborated to bring you the tastiest villain of the Mass Effect trilogy - a Reaper made of gingerbread.
Dragon Age: Inquisition lead writer David Gaider has discussed the topic of romance in BioWare's RPGs, and how some would be happy if they "just abandoned the effort altogether," but it's tricky. There are those who enjoy BioWare's tales as much as they do because of romance options, but the team often feels the pressure and always ask 'should we bother?'
The London-based Failbetter Games has been in secret collusion with BioWare on a too-secret project for the larger studio. The Fallen London creator still can't reveal any specifics at this time. Apparently it's a Failbetter project "down to its bones," and the studio made the rare exception of accepting work with BioWare. What could they be working on?
According to Shadow Broker sources from inside BioWare, the next Mass Effect in the works will be traversing the stars sometime next spring. They said to be sure and play the trilogy before then. Little is known of the next Mass Effect except Shephard is now a 6km long Reaper with millions of husks at his command, sweeping the galaxy for stores to endorse.
Bioware Montreal studio director Yanick Roy has revealed on Twitter that Mass Effect 4 is somewhere near the middle of its development cycle.
According to an industry insider, this year's E3 in California will be hosting Square Enix and Eidos Montreal's new Deus Ex, which is in the works as a next-gen title. Also present will be BioWare's new Mass Effect. Ahsan Rasheed confirmed it won't be called Mass Effect 4, something BioWare said previously, but will be subtitled. He's also heard rumblings about Microsoft's plans.
In their latest earnings call, EA has teased they've got "at least six new projects" in development and they'll be unveiling details at this year's E3. A "major new game" due in Q3 2014 will be shown. They mention it's powered by Frostbite 3 so it's very likely Dragon Age: Inquisition, which is due around then. EA also mentioned Battlefront is progressing "very, very well."
Square Enix has been fairly quiet regarding Deus Ex: Universe after first announcing the title last year, initially describing the project as an “ongoing, expanding and connected game world built across a generation of core games.” Now website Playstation Trophies is claiming that a source within the company has informed them that Universe was originally one single game that has now been split into a Mass Effect-style trilogy.
Good news for fans of dodgy yet somehow loveable vehicles - according to Bioware the mighty Mako will make a return in the next Mass Effect game. [url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/conferences/sdcc2014/11995-Mass-Effect-The-Mako-Returns-Update] The Escapist report[/url] that due to a new focus on exploration, players will be able to customise the all-terrain vehicle to their own liking, and Bioware are apparently making sure that handling "is as responsive as possible". How boring of them.
Casey Hudson, probably best known as the executive producer of the Mass Effect Trilogy, has left Bioware after 16 years with the studio. In a letter posted publicly by Bioware, Hudson said he wanted to "take a much needed break, get perspective on what I really want to do with the next phase of my life, and eventually, take on a new set of challenges."
At first glance the recently revealed Dragon Age: Inquisition multiplayer mode looks a hell of a lot like the one found in Mass Effect 3 - lots of enemies to blast, little bit of character customisation and a bunch of classes to choose from. Speaking to Destructoid though, a BioWare representative claimed that the developers would be supporting the online mode "far beyond" the point where they signed off on their sci-fi franchise.
The most epic gaming trilogy since Mass Effect looks like it'll be going out with a bang.
Strategy Informer talks with Mac Walters, lead writer on Mass Effect 2.
It's one of this year's most highly anticipated games, but how do the creators feel this close to launch? Strategy Informer finds out... (PC)
Massively Effective. (Xbox 360)
It's one of 2010's most anticipated games, and we just can't get enough of it. Yes, Strategy Informer gets yet another hands on session with Mass Effect 2... (PC)