According to an insider report, BioWare Montreal, the studio behind “Mass Effect: Andromeda“, is set to be downsized. The “Mass Effect” franchise is currently on hold. It is said that developers are working on other projects within Electronic Arts.
As Kotaku reports, not much is expected to happen with the “Mass Effect” franchise after the latest game, “Andromeda”. BioWare has put “Mass Effect” on pause and has downgraded the developer “BioWare Montreal” to a “supporting studio”. This has been confirmed by four sources close to the company, says leak specialist Jason Schreier.
In the past, Schreier has repeatedly made headlines with “insider reports” about games like Destiny.
Mass Effect on “Pause” – BioWare is likely focusing on “Dylan”
This decision does not mean that there will never be another Mass Effect, but no immediate sequel to Mass Effect: Andromeda is expected to be developed.
As Kotaku further reports, team members have been assigned to “EA Motive” to work on Star Wars Battlefront 2. BioWare Montreal and EA Motive were already sharing a building.
Publisher Electronic Arts has responded ambiguously to these rumors upon inquiry from Kotaku – it sounds rather confirming. They state that team members are collaborating on other projects but do not mention that Mass Effect is on hold.
The teams within EA are working closely together, more closely than ever before. EAconfirms that BioWare Motive is assisting with Star Wars Battlefront 2. They also want to enhance the development of other BioWare projects.
EA says that BioWare’s focus remains on the community of Mass Effect Andromeda and the live service, but they are constantly looking at how to prepare for “future experiences”.
It is said that EA’s studios are currently brimming with creative talent worldwide. In the coming years, more is expected from BioWare.
At the investor conference, it was said, “We are happy with Mass Effect Andromeda and BioWare”
The news from Kotaku comes after “official statements” from EA during their investor call. It was said that they were pleased with how Mass Effect: Andromeda was supported by BioWare. It received over 100 ratings of 80 or higher. They are proud of ME: Andromeda – even if they expected a higher average.
The fanbase of the game is very passionate. Some have found exactly what they were looking for in the game. Others have not.
Mein-MMO believes: Dylan is supposed to be a “mega-project” – BioWare probably needs all the help they can get. Star Wars Battlefront 2 is also expected to be “huge”. A lot of money is at stake in both games. The report suggests that EA is prioritizing these two projects for the time being instead of focusing more on a Mass Effect Andromeda that has rather fallen short of expectations.
For a project like Mass Effect: Andromeda, DLCs and “game content” should still be well-developed so that they can still be released and the game can continue to be maintained. However, one should not necessarily hope for a Mass Effect: Andromeda 2 or a “large expansion” right now.
In terms of sales figures, Mass Effect: Andromeda has apparently fallen short of expectations. The release was accompanied by heated discussions about the facial animations:
Mass Effect: Andromeda is the fourth game in Bioware's Mass Effect universe, but it marks a kind of relaunch of the series. The story takes place hundreds of ye...
