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The next Mass Effect: How, what, when we'll hear more

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shinobi602

Member
So, Aaryn Flynn is general manager at Bioware Edmonton and Montreal, which means he's also GM of the best video game franchise, Mass Effect. Tweeted this over the weekend (thanks EatChildren):

qyJpmTB.png


Obviously the "I hope" part is just semantics. There will be info on the game next year. But when? I wanna know when goddamnit. I looked over when info on previous titles slowly released to the public. Let's take a look:


Mass Effect
  • October 2005: Formally announced
  • November 2007: Released

Mass Effect 2
  • March 2009: First details revealed at GDC
  • January 2010: Released

Mass Effect 3
  • December 2010: Revealed at the VGAs
  • May 2011: Info blowout via Game Informer
  • E3 2011: First gameplay seen
  • March 2012: Released


So, where are we at with this one? Well, let's see when info began trickling out.


  • September 2012: Next game formally announced
  • June 2013: Asked on Twitter what fans would like to see in a debut trailer
  • November 2013: First images of the game teased

Now, seeing a trailer for this game at E3 2014 is certainly likely. Very likely in fact. But these games typically have information verbally released before actually seeing what the game looks like. Coincidentally, GDC is right around the corner in March.

We can see that detailed info on each game is typically given out about a year, give or take a few months, before each game's release. With the first real details of Mass Effect 2 released in March 2009 at GDC, and GDC 2014 right around the corner, and a lot of Bioware devs I talk to saying to expect info "soon" rather than 'later', I think we'll actually hear the first details about the game there.

However, I don't think we'll get details on things like who we play as, story details, or details on the various characters. GDC is mostly about studios discussing their engine tools, how they build their games, levels, environments, techniques, etc. So I believe we'll get information on things like the engine, physics, size of levels/world, details on the graphics, etc. What leads me to strongly feel we'll get actual story info in a debut trailer rather than through verbage is this tweet by the game's studio director, Yanick Roy:

wMOMyxU.png


He later noted the overwhelming responses were for the trailer to show who the main character was and the time period the game takes place in (prequel or sequel?). It's obvious these details will be exposed in this upcoming trailer and not through verbal communication at GDC. I'd expect this trailer in E3 2014 for sure.

So, here's my projected outlook on what we'll get:


  • March 2014: First details on the technical side of things at GDC
  • June 2014: Debut trailer at E3 w/final title name, PS4/XB1/PC
  • Fall 2014: Game Informer cover story
  • Late 2014/early 2015: Gameplay/in-game videos
  • Spring 2015 or Fall 2015: Release date


Since the damn thing was absent at VGX, much to my fucking dismay, I feel fairly confident in this assessment. Thoughts? Comments?
 
E3 seems like a surefire bet. Something like Mass Effect seems perfect as the highlight of EA's presser. But goddamn June is so far away
 
Going to agree. They're definitely releasing DA3 in summer/fall 2014. No way they'd release ME4 soon after that.

I'll say April-May 2015 onwards is when the next ME will release.
 
If it's a prequel then hopefully they're also going to back to the vision of the first game. Space exploration with a wealth of content, style and ambition.

Unless there has been some major restructuring inside Bioware I doubt we'll see that.
 
In the end, I think the Mass Effect series ended up being some of favorite games this/last generation.

So what would I want to see? ANYTHING.
 
Arent the ME3 MP team making it? Also isn't a Gears of War producer aboard? And to be fair I thought ME3 was mediocre way before the ending travesty, I feel at least with the new ME it should feel fresh too the team and us fans but i'll certainly be checking fan feedback before purchasing bioware games from now on.
 
Want them to take their sweet time with it and make something on par with the first. The last bit of news filled me with confidence. Hope we see something at GDC.
 
Generally the way Game Informer functions is that they're one of the first unveil points.

Admittedly they've loosened up on that as their relevance in the digital age has waned, but if they're doing a Game Informer cover I'd expect it very close to its first announcement if it is not the announcement in and of itself.
 
Great analysis, Shinobi. The next ME is long ways off, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait. And if they do show a teaser at E3, I'd imagine a GI cover story for the June/July issue

In the mean time, I need more DAI info.
 
Nirolak said:
Generally the way Game Informer functions is that they're one of the first unveil points.

Admittedly they've loosened up on that as their relevance in the digital age has waned, but if they're doing a Game Informer cover I'd expect it very close to its first announcement if it is not the announcement in and of itself.
Click to expand...
It was indeed the first info blowout we saw for Mass Effect 3 at least. But it wasn't the case for the first 2 games. Will it happen the same way this go around? We'll see :)
 
Madness said:
Going to agree. They're definitely releasing DA3 in summer/fall 2014. No way they'd release ME4 soon after that.
Click to expand...

EA did end up releasing DA: Origins and Mass Effect 2 within 3 months of each other, could be a similar situation again and we'll end up getting the next Mass Effect early next year.
 
sixteen-bit said:
I think they'll attempt a Mass Effect MMO sooner or later.
Click to expand...
I'd settle for a separate Mass Effect MP game. At least TF2 and their ilk have proven that MP games can have major longevity if they're good. I don't know if a new MMO would be profitable in this environment, or how long players would actually stick with it.
 
dancrane212 said:
EA did end up releasing DA: Origins and Mass Effect 2 within 3 months of each other, could be a similar situation again and we'll end up getting the next Mass Effect early next year.
Click to expand...

Early next year? When we haven't even seen one trailer/video/screenshot yet? Ha.
 
Whatever info they do drop officially will be big. The change associated with the new game is going to make it bigger than ME2 or ME3. The direction they go in will greatly influence the success of the title, especially after the ending of ME3.

I'm still shocked the ending to ME3 hasn't been addressed anymore, and I wouldn't be surprised if the ending was purposefully setup for the next game, just minus Shepard. I'm just hoping for answers, not complete answers, but something to explain where things stand post-ME3. If it's a prequel or story during the last trilogy events it's going to be hard to play knowing where it all goes.

Either way I'm excited to see where the multiplayer goes at least... it was way better than anticipated.
 
hoserx said:
PS4 first, run through it again when ME4 is $5.99 on origin on a sale!
Click to expand...
I did that last gen. Played 1 & 2 on 360 before moving to PC and playing it on max with mods :).

But unless the game supports the controller on PC I might go PS4. That was the only negative of the PC versions, no gamepad support.
 
I'd be wary of banking on GDC for reveals. While we do get some announcements out of it, it's an industry event and not a fan event. Never expect much out of the show unless it's being specifically teased.
 
RoboPlato said:
I'd be wary of banking on GDC for reveals. While we do get some announcements out of it, it's an industry event and not a fan event. Never expect much out of the show unless it's being specifically teased.
Click to expand...
Well, it was the very first time we got details on Mass Effect 2, so I wouldn't completely rule it out.
 
I hope they can make a game akin to the first two in vision and quality. Plus, the music definitely needs to be closer to ME1.
 
More info will be released when Snuggles is allowed to post more tasteful Mass Effect Erotica and that's all there is to it.
 
TC McQueen said:
I'd settle for a separate Mass Effect MP game. At least TF2 and their ilk have proven that MP games can have major longevity if they're good. I don't know if a new MMO would be profitable in this environment, or how long players would actually stick with it.
Click to expand...

TF2 has lasted so long and had such a userbase that spends money because it's been constantly updated and changed so much all for free.

EA would rather shit out a sequel or "expansion pack" or pay to win dlc. They have no hope competing on those levels.
 
rezn0r said:
gives me plenty of time to play through the trilogy for the third time!
Click to expand...

I just started Mass Effect 2 on my first Male Shep playthrough. I'm going anti-Krogan/ Pro-Geth Paragon. It's weird seeing a dude in role... Kind of off-putting... I keep expecting Jennifer Hale's voice and... NOPE.
 
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