GamerSyndrome: As a personal fan of the first Mass Effect, where did the inspiration for the more action-oriented, mission structured Mass Effect 2 and 3 come from?
BioWare: Ultimately we took feedback from fans on the original Mass Effect game and built upon that. Alot of ones felt that the combat needed to be reworked a little more and we agreed. With each video game, you wanted to bring something into it that made it different from the last game but also stuck to what made the game series popular. We had alot of ones tell us that they enjoyed the combat and mission structures in Mass Effect 3 more than the first two games. So our ideas came from our own thoughts and wishes for the game and also from fans, who we listen to all the time. We’ve done it for every game, whether it was multiplayer or ideas for missions in single player. We’ve even asked for fans thoughts on whether to do a sequel or prequel to the Mass Effect trilogy.
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GS: Now that another Mass Effect game has been announced, why was it decided to not only change studios (Edmonton to Montreal) but also to change game engines? Will we still experience the same style, choices, and action we’ve come to know in Mass Effect games? Does changing engines delay the games release date?
BioWare: While I can’t comment on why it changed studios, fans can expect a similar style of choices and action that they’ve come to know in Mass Effect. Casey Hudson is very much involved in the new Mass Effect game, as well as many from Edmonton. BioWare Montreal is a great studio and they did fantastic with the multiplayer for Mass Effect 3, so fans should know the series is in good hands. The game isn’t far along in development so I can’t comment on specifics because they isn’t any yet, Frostbite 2 is a really good game engine that we are also using on Dragon Age 3. As far as release date, there’s nothing to be announced yet. You’ll hear more about the new Mass Effect game [next year] in 2013.
GS: If you were to give a rough idea on a release window, what would you say?
BioWare: Late 2014 to Mid 2015. I honestly can’t tell you an exact because full development on the game started a month or two ago.
