Though Mass Effect Andromeda is naturally the centerpiece of Game Informer’s month-long coverage, BioWare manager Aaryn Flynn took some time to solicit questions regarding the studio’s mysterious new IP.
First teased at E3 2014, the developer has since remained mum on the project, and for good reason, according to Flynn: “We’re not going to talk about it until we’re confident about what it’s going to be and everything.” That means Andromeda has taken precedent at BioWare ahead of its debut in 2017, but the studio executive did hint that more information on that new, story-driven IP could emerge once the spacefaring sequel is out in the open.
“We’ve been doing reviews with [EA CEO Andrew Wilson], and I think he likes it. So, knock on wood, we’ll keep working on it and we’ll keep doing it. Hopefully you’ll hear more about that once Andromeda’s done and we’ve satisfied fans with that game.”
The decision to focus on storytelling will no doubt please fans, particularly after BioWare quickly pulled the plug on its asymmetric multiplayer RPG Shadow Realms.
Flynn then went on to acknowledge the inherent risks of establishing a new IP, saying the following:
“You have to ask yourself, ‘Do you want to do something that [is] fiercely different or do you want to do something that’s very recognisable?’ ‘Do you want to take something that you’ve done and put a spin on it, or do you want to wipe the slate clean and say what would we do in this.’
“And for us, what we said was we’re BioWare, so we have a certain kind of game that we love making and we know our fans would love, so we started with that and that’s a game that has as its heart stories and storytelling. So we decided we’re going to stick with that.”
BioWare currently has all hands on deck in anticipation of Mass Effect Andromeda. There’s currently no mention of an exact release date, but with a gameplay reveal earmarked for The Game Awards 2016, don’t expect that radio silence to last much longer.
