BioWare: Next Mass Effect will appeal to longtime fans and newcomers
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Developer talks accessibility for upcoming game, says "no reason to believe" multiple gender options and GLBTI-inclusive stories won't return.
The next Mass Effect game will appeal to seasoned fans and newcomers alike, developer BioWare has said.
Speaking on Twitter (via VG247), BioWare Montreal studio director Yanick Roy said it is "too soon to say" if the Mass Effect Genesis system would return for the new game.
"But we'll be sure to be friendly both to old fans and to newcomers," Roy said.
Roy also responded to a question regarding whether or not the new Mass Effect game will retain the franchise's open-mindedness when it comes to gender options and GLBTI-inclusive stories.
"There is no reason to believe otherwise at this point, don't worry!" Roy said.
BioWare announced the next Mass Effect game last September. It will not feature Commander Shepard, as his story came to a close in last year's Mass Effect 3.
The untitled game will run on the Frostbite 3 engine and, according to executive producer Casey Hudson, will be "fresh and new."
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By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
913 comments
1 Like I am looking forward to seeing what they will do with this mayby they will allow you to choose you race and stuff, if not i will have to get XCOM: Declassifed looks like mass effect but with much better squad based gameplay and combat
2 Like I still can't really figure out how BioWare can successfully put out a sequel to ME3 story-wise, considering how vastly different the galaxy's fate is between each of the endings. The only way I could see it happening is if they canonized one of the endings... and we all know just how well THAT will go over with the fans.
(Also, "longtime fans and newcomers?" Doesn't that essentially cover every single gamer?)
@Bloodspectre There is no sequel to ME3, this is an entirely new game with no Commander Shepard... What article did you read?
@jameson425 @Bloodspectre What post did you read? he said fuck all about Shepard, read it again. His point is the entire GALAXY is now different depending on what choice you made at the end of ME3 and therefore presents the devs with a problem. Unless it's gonna be a prequel of course...and we all know how well those turn out don't we?
Did any of u consider that this next game could be a prequel set in the mass effect universe with other conflicts that predate Shepards story arc? Or did bioware make it clear that it is a sequel or takes place after me3?
@K-A_L-A_D-U_R "BioWare announced the next Mass Effect game last September. It will not feature Commander Shepard, as his story came to a close in last year'sMass Effect 3." A quote from the article above smartass, I'm referring to what BloodSpectre said above read his post he said quote "I still can't really figure out how BioWare can successfully put out a sequel to ME3 story-wise".
Yes he did talk about the Galaxy's fate depending on the ending you chose, but what your both not getting is it's not Commander Shepard or his galaxy so to speak. So it means an entirely new universe and character to play as, I'm sure they may use a familiar galaxy's you traveled between that were used in the first 3 as a tribute or even make it Shepard's Son or Daughter for all we know.
I read the article and yeah the galaxy may be different but pretty sure it's a different galaxy and there is no way to tell whether the actions of the first 3 Mass Effect games will be portrayed in the new Mass Effect titles or whether it's a sequel? But with that said a sequel would imply the Mass Effect universe from the first 3 was the Back Drop for the new Mass Effect titles, all i'm saying...
Why not just title this article: "Next Mass Effect Will Be Aimed at Things With Opposable Thumbs"?
1 Like Bioware/EA butchered most of ME3 and now this new Mass Effect without Shepard? I'm not saying it's gonna bomb, but I just don't see the game living up to the first two ME games. The quality from Bioware hasn't been the quality we once got from them since DA2, SWTOR, and ME3.
I remember when Bioware made great "RPG GAMES". I stress that "RPG GAMES" and not a 3rd person shooter with a little RPG elements. The first ME was a RPG first and a shooter second; which was very successful.
Anyone remember those games like Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, KOTOR, Jade Empire, and Mass Effect before EA? Those "RPG GAMES"? Where are those now? If they want to appeal to longtime fans, like most of us, they need to get back to their roots. What Bioware excelled at that no other gaming company at the time did: RPG and story. However, with the direction they are heading in now, it doesn't seem likely.
@gr8scott You mean when "EA" bought out Bio-ware it went to shit. Bio-ware doesn't suck its the jackasses at EA. Mass Effect 1+2 were strictly Bio-ware and the 3rd was EA/Bio-ware so you do the math...
@gr8scott You do realize that Jade Empire was as much of an RPG as Mass effect 2 or 3, right? I would say that Mass Effect 2 and 3 had more customization and variety than Jade Empire.
Yes, Dragon Age 2 was shit. But other than that Bioware hasn't really dropped in quality.
Maybe they'll make these games like FF or Persona in that each installment is independent. Hopefully it doesn't become just another shooter.
Sweet!! keen to see more of this! Hoping to get a bit more RPG in my RPG/TPS hybrid hahaha....Hoping that they keep that ME quality coming!! :)
They tried the same thing with Dead Space 3. They ended up killing the horror so now they will probably kill roleplaying. Another shooter, just what we need!
this has the potential to be dragon age 2 all over again. the choice of voice actors is crucial. they have to nail it. dragon age 2 was horrible in this department (among many other departments)
7 Like This "fans and newcomers alike" PR talk is such an old and tired cliche that practically reassures that "we'll dumb it down just enough to bring in shooter fans but not chase away RPG fans".
Sorry Bioware but you already alienated RPG fans back in ME2, you might want to reconsider who's currently your fanbase: Shooter players or RPG players.
2 Like @Ultramarinus The last games in the me franchise were already super simple, how dumb do they need their game to be until most rpg fans leave the shop when they figure out that their games are closer to shooter than rpg ?
I wonder what Mass Effect will look like on Frostbite 3 ? The original Mass Effect trilogy kinda had stiff physics and repetitive facial expressions.
planet scanning .......
they included it mas effect 2, which was quite frustrating
what is good about it?
And Planet scanning... without it the game would not be the same...
They can erase dialog options... but not planet scanning!
<This is a joke of course>
1 Like @pdfanboy Well if the game is amazing then your loss. I could honestly care less who publishes the game. If it is good, then that is a rare and amazing thing.
@michaelrjohnson @pdfanboy "I couldn't care less" is the phrase you are looking for. Get it right next time ;)
3 Like @michaelrjohnson @pdfanboy And if the game is crap then my win. I don't want to risk my hard-earned money on a product by those greedy bastards.
2 Like O.K. Should I have expected them to say our game will only appeal to hardcore fans and the rest won't like it? WTF is this BS article?
8 Like @tightwad34 Let me interpret it for you : they saying that they will water down the game (make it easy as hell) and make it very simple for the simple minded folks so that they can make MORE MONEYYYYYY
@SipahSalar I already knew that. I want a better reason, although there may not be one. I just don't like it when people beat around the bush and seem patronizing.
@SipahSalar @tightwad34 ...while they'll include a number of cameos from old characters, even it wont make much sense to see them.
15 Like I'm beginning to cringe at the word "accessibility". Usually it means nothing but shallow, derivative experiences easily found elsewhere.
@Vari3ty "Accessibility" in this article most probably means it will not be a direct sequel / prequel and will be accessible to both old fans and newcomers TO THE FRANCHISE (not new to gaming). Stop being so negative and leaving generic comments that we see on every other news article.
2 Like There is no such thing as "accessible to both old fans and newcomers". Fans want deep RPG mechanics, good story, less action and more dialogue and meaningful character interactions. Less autodialogue and more meaningful choices. More exploration and freedom, less linearity and coridor shooting. Casual newcomers want the oposite. So this "accessible to both old fans and newcomers" statement is as nonsensical as the ME3 ending.
1 Like Big news! Bioware answers questions with "maybe", gamers respond with "Lies!".
Having said that, I expect them to learn from the public reaction and create a better DA3 and ME4 for us fans. If anyone chooses not to forgive them, that's their choice. I, however, still love the lore and expect great things...maker willing.
1 Like All this means is that they'll continue watering it down to appeal to the broadest audience possible. EA is the worst company in gaming for doing this sort of thing. I hate what they do with every series they manage.
Mass Effect is my favorite series of this generation...doesn't matter still not getting ME4
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Untitled Mass Effect Game
- Publisher(s): Electronic Arts
- Developer(s): BioWare
- Genre: Role-Playing
- Release:
- ESRB: RP
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