BioWare Executive producer Mike Gamble has revealed that the Mass Effect series on Amazon will follow a new, original story, rather than retelling the original trilogy with Commander Shepard. The news broke in an official BioWare blog post authored by Gamble, who posts an update every year in celebration of N7 Day (November 7th).
Bioware Reveals a New Original Story for Mass Effect on N7 Day
The seventh of November is a hallowed day for fans of the BioWare series, and this year, expectations leading up to the holiday were mixed at best. Many individuals even joked that they had no expectations whatsoever. Alongside this cyclone of frustration, however, rode a wave of rumors regarding the fate of the multimedia franchise. Some even believed that the series-first teased in 2021-might be an attempt to overhaul the existing continuity.
A screenshot from Mass Effect Legendary Edition (2021), BioWare
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Mike Gamble actually recognized these sentiments in his N7 Day blog post.
“Like you, we’ve heard the rumors lately,” he said. “You’ve made it clear you care deeply about what’s next. So let’s start by setting the record straight: the next Mass Effect game is in development, and EA and BioWare remain committed to telling more stories in this universe.”
The executive producer also specified the studio’s intention behind creating an original story. He seems to want to avoid trampling over the unique experiences of Mass Effect players and the decisions they’ve made in-game.
“The show will explore a brand-new story within the universe’s timeline, and will be set after the original trilogy,” he said. “It won’t be a retread of Commander Shepard’s story – because after all … that’s YOUR story, isn’t it?”
A screenshot from Mass Effect Legendary Edition (2021), BioWare
These updates come as a slight relief for Mass Effect fans, who have endured an inordinate amount of frustrations with the franchise. This news, however, might not be enough to ease the nerves of those who recall other revival blunders.
Amazon and BioWare Share a History of Failed Revivals
One year ago, BioWare released one of its most anticipated titles yet, Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
The studio promised a revival for the legendary saga which had been dormant a decade. The end product, however, was considered less than stellar, to put it lightly. Many viewed the game as a betrayal, stating that the so-called revival had actually strayed so far from the original franchise that it had become unrecognizable.
A screenshot from Dragon Age: The Veilguard (2024), BioWare
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Reviewers slammed the game for its seeming disregard for the existing continuity, and obnoxious glut of partisan demagoguery. These two elements coalesced into a noxious concoction which proved too distasteful for wide audiences. Dejected, the studio was forced to hand out the game as a free gift-with-purchase through Amazon Australia.
Many now view Veilguard as a cautionary tale, rather than a triumphant comeback story.
Famously, Amazon made a similar attempt to expand a legendary body of work.
Morfydd Clark as Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2024), Amazon MGM Studios
On September 1st, 2022, the streamer released its first season of The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power. At a total cost of $1 billion, the show is still considered to be the most expensive television series ever. With such immense production costs, it needed to perform exceptionally well.
As everyone knows, though, it didn’t. Critics and fans alike criticized the first season for nearly the exact same reasons as they did Dragon Age. Between every detail, from storytelling to visuals, it seems both Amazon and Bioware have similarly destructive habits.
A screenshot from Mass Effect Legendary Edition (2021), BioWare
With the new Mass Effect series being produced by both companies together, it’s not unreasonable for fans to be concerned about its story.
Are you concerned for the fate of the Mass Effect series, despite being an original story? Or instead are you hopeful for a positive addition to the franchise? Share your opinions in the comments section below!
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Definitely concerned. You’ve got BioWare and Amazon, who are both very woke companies that are interested in pushing DEI, feminism, and alphabet stuff so I expect whatever it is to be…flawed…at the very least.
This will inevitably have a gay chick of color at the main character making Mass Effect TV lamer than the 3 color OG ending of ME3.
There is no sign that neither Amazon nor Bioware have abandoned their slavish worship of DEI.