A new rumor has pointed to an uncertain fate for the Mass Effect franchise, following the highly polarizing release of BioWare’s Mass Effect: Andromeda earlier this year.
Four sources close to the studio (via Kotaku) are reportedly saying the franchise has been put on ice, with Mass Effect: Andromeda studio BioWare Montreal being re-assigned to doing grunt work supporting other games within Electronic Arts.
When reached for comment, Electronic Arts shared the following message – via BioWare Montreal studio director Yanick Roy:
Our teams at BioWare and across EA put in tremendous effort bringing Mass Effect Andromeda to players around the world. Even as BioWare continues to focus on the Mass Effect Andromeda community and live service, we are constantly looking at how we’re prepared for the next experiences we will create.
The teams in EA Worldwide Studios are packed with talent, and more than ever, we are driving collaboration between studios on key projects.
With our BioWare and Motive teams sharing studio space in Montreal, we have BioWare team members joining Motive projects that are underway. We’re also ramping up teams on other BioWare projects in development.
There will be much more to come from BioWare in the years ahead.
It’s worth pointing out the sources note BioWare Montreal will still support Andromeda and its multiplayer, via patches and updates. Sources have also pointed towards BioWare Montreal being noticeably smaller than just a few months ago, with a number of employees being transferred to EA Motive to work on Star Wars Battlefront II.
BioWare’s codenamed ‘Dylan’ game, which has yet to be revealed, is reportedly being supported by BioWare Montreal. The main BioWare Edmonton studio is developing the game, with BioWare Austin supporting it as well.
Despite the lukewarm reception of Mass Effect: Andromeda, Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson told investors that the publisher is “very happy with how BioWare is doing, how BioWare is treating Mass Effect. And our expectations for Mass Effect are still strong for the future and the franchise overall” in an earnings call.
We’re expecting to see BioWare’s new ‘Dylan” game revealed at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo. Until then, we’ll keep you guys posted.
