Mass Effect Andromeda
News, coverage and analysis tracking Mass Effect Andromeda across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Ex-BioWare designer says doom and gloom about the next Mass Effect is overstated: 'I think that they can do…
Former BioWare designer Armando Troisi believes skepticism surrounding the next Mass Effect game is overstated, asserting that the studio excels at single-player, narrative-driven RPGs when left to their own devices. He suggests that the studio needs to return to its core formula, free from the pressures of live-service development and external stakeholders, to recapture its former glory.
Playing Mass Effect-inspired RPG Exodus was an uncomfortably familiar space trip, despite some brilliant zero-G fights
The preview of Exodus, an RPG inspired by Mass Effect, highlights brilliant zero-G combat sequences but criticizes familiar corridor battles and bland characters. Despite some promising mechanics, the game risks feeling uninspired if it doesn't develop its unique ideas further.
Former Dragon Age lead says Baldur's Gate 3 studio Larian is taking a "risk" by making Divinity right after its 2023 RPG hit, but he applauds the devs for it
Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah believes Larian Studios is taking a calculated risk by focusing on a new Divinity game immediately after the success of Baldur's Gate 3. He applauds Larian's strategy of focusing on one project at a time, contrasting it with BioWare's past issues of juggling multiple series.
I'm excited for Stage Tour, but Rock Band 4 will take a lot to beat
Rock Band 4 remains the last active title from the plastic-instrument rhythm game era, a decade after its release. Despite challenges with peripheral availability and music licensing, the game continues to receive weekly track additions and maintain an active online community. While Fortnite Festival offers a new Harmonix experience, it does not fully replace the legacy or song library of Rock Band 4.
Saudi Arabia’s $55 Billion EA Takeover Casts a Shadow Over Mass Effect 5
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has acquired a controlling stake in Electronic Arts for $55 billion, taking the publisher private. This acquisition raises concerns among fans and developers about potential censorship and changes to inclusive content in franchises like Mass Effect and The Sims, particularly given the country's laws regarding homosexuality. The future of Mass Effect 5, currently in early development at BioWare, is now uncertain under new ownership.
Mass Effect 3 dev demanded answers from the RPG's writing team when she realized her alien husband was hooking up…
Mass Effect 3 level designer Kris Schoneberg discovered an unexpected romantic pairing between Tali and Garrus while testing the game, a development she found so surprising she confronted the writing team. This narrative detail highlights the autonomous nature of the crew's personal lives within the Mass Effect universe, even when the player doesn't pursue romantic relationships.
Dragon Age: Inquisition's lead narrative designer is making an adventure game world "where the ordinary starts to feel like it is hiding something"
Studio Reset, an independent Canadian studio founded by former BioWare veterans, has announced its debut project: a neon-noir supernatural mystery game. The studio, which includes lead narrative designer Kaelin Lavallée from Dragon Age: Inquisition and former Anthem creative director Kris Schoneberg, aims to modernize the adventure game genre with bold visuals and meaningful replayability, focusing on atmospheric storytelling and intuitive clue-solving.
The Mass Effect sci-fi RPG subgenre "hasn't had a good game in a long time", says Hasbro, and it believes Exodus can change that
Hasbro's CEO Chris Cocks believes the science fiction RPG genre, exemplified by Mass Effect, has been lacking a strong entry for a long time. He is confident that Exodus, developed by Archetype Entertainment and featuring former BioWare talent, will fill this market gap. The game is slated for an early 2027 release and aims to recapture the feel of beloved sci-fi RPGs.
Mass Effect hasn't been great in "a long time," but "D&D in space" RPG Exodus can fill the gap according to Hasbro's CEO
Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks believes the upcoming sci-fi RPG Exodus, developed by former BioWare staff, can fill the void left by the Mass Effect series' perceived decline. He describes Exodus as "D&D in space" and highlights the pedigree of its development team. The article notes the long wait for a high-quality Mass Effect title since Mass Effect 2.
'90s virtual reality, Battlefield 2142, and Total War: This month in PC Gamer 10, 20, and 30 years ago
This article looks back at PC Gamer magazine issues from May 1996, May 2006, and May 2016, highlighting cover stories and notable news from those periods. It revisits predictions about virtual reality and online gaming, discusses sequels like Battlefield 2142, and covers the launch of Total War: Warhammer and the early days of VR technology.
Mass Effect: Andromeda Was "Done Dirty" By EA And Punching Bag For "Chuds," Actor Says
Actor Tom Taylorson, who voiced Scott Ryder in Mass Effect: Andromeda, stated that the game was unfairly criticized and "done dirty" by Electronic Arts. He believes the developers were forced to use the Frostbite 3 engine and that the game suffered from a toxic online atmosphere upon release. Taylorson expressed disappointment but also noted the game's positive reception from some players and hoped for future development of the characters.
Mass Effect Andromeda actor says the game got a 'bum rap' from 'chuds' and was 'done dirty by a…
An actor from Mass Effect Andromeda argues the game received an unfair reception, stating that while its buggy launch was a valid criticism, the overall experience was positive and deserved more support. Despite the game not receiving its planned DLC and the studio moving on to a new Mass Effect title, there's a growing appreciation for Andromeda's strengths and characters over time.
PowerWash Simulator 2 is getting a Star Wars level pack focused on original trilogy locations this summer
PowerWash Simulator 2 is releasing a downloadable content pack this summer featuring iconic locations from the original Star Wars trilogy, including Echo Base on Hoth and the Lars Homestead on Tatooine. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. The article also touches on the troubled development and reception of Mass Effect: Andromeda, with voice actor Tom Taylorson sharing his perspective on the game's challenges.
Mass Effect: Andromeda actor says the game "was done dirty" by EA and "a very toxic atmosphere" online
Mass Effect: Andromeda voice actor Tom Taylorson stated that the game was "done dirty" by Electronic Arts due to publisher expectations and being released before it was fully developed. He also cited issues with the Frostbite engine and a "very toxic atmosphere" online contributing to the game's poor reception and the cancellation of future plans for the Andromeda series.
Mass Effect Andromeda 'Done Dirty' by Publisher EA, Actor Says
A lead actor from BioWare's Mass Effect Andromeda has criticized publisher Electronic Arts for the game's poor reception. The actor believes EA bears significant responsibility for the title's disappointing critical and commercial performance.
After an hour in the beta, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is both a limp Mass Effect and a leaden interpretation of a very good TV show
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, an RPG adaptation of the TV show, shows promise in its hard sci-fi elements like artificial gravity combat, but suffers from underdeveloped characters and formulaic gameplay. While Owlcat Games has successfully translated its experience from Warhammer 40,000 into a third-person shooter format, the current beta build lacks the engaging personalities and narrative depth found in the source material or comparable titles like Mass Effect.
How BioWare can make an unlikely comeback, and why it never will: The first step is cancelling Mass Effect
This opinion piece argues that BioWare, despite its past successes, is unlikely to make a significant comeback due to publisher Electronic Arts' pressure for immediate financial returns and an overreliance on established franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age. The author suggests the studio needs to find a new identity and embrace experimentation, but believes EA's risk-averse nature will prevent this.
What if the industry started remaking bad games instead of good ones?
This opinion piece argues that the video game industry should focus on remaking underperforming but promising titles rather than constantly redoing successful ones. It suggests that remaking games like Dark Souls 2 or Legacy of Kain: Defiance could unlock their full potential and foster more innovation, contrasting this with the current trend of remaking established hits like Final Fantasy VII.
Mass Effect Actor Questions Whether "Culture" And "Ethos" That Made Original Games Is Still There
Jennifer Hale, the voice of Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect franchise, expressed both excitement and concern for the future of the series. She questions whether the original creative culture and ethos that defined the early games remain intact at BioWare, especially given recent company changes. Hale hopes for the return of Commander Shepard and believes the Mass Effect universe has significant untapped potential for new stories.
Call of Duty: Ghosts Gets Its Overdue Respect from Gaming Community
Call of Duty: Ghosts, initially criticized in 2013, is now receiving renewed appreciation from the gaming community and content creators. Aspects like its dynamic maps, Extinction mode, and darker campaign are being highlighted as innovative. The game's deliberate pacing and weapon handling, once seen as flaws, are now viewed as intentional design choices that have aged well with shifts in the gaming landscape.
