EA says that the new IP Bioware announced at E3 2014 will be released early next year.
Way back in the dark days of 2014, Bioware showed off a teaser trailer (embedded below) for Mass Effect: Andromeda, and towards the end, it also featured a brief glimpse of a brand new IP in the works at Bioware Edmonton. Since then, there’s been almost no news of that IP, save a possible mention by Dragon Age writer David Gaider, who tweeted that he was moving on from that franchise to “a new, upcoming BioWare project.” That’s not conclusive that he was going to this project, but it is suggestive.
In EA’s financial call earlier this week, CEO Andrew Wilson brought up the title again, calling it an “action-adventure title” and saying that it was “not an RPG.” Once that mention was out there, Bioware general manager Aaryn Flynn followed up with an official blog post. Flynn wrote that Bioware is “creating a unique IP that will bring players together in exciting new ways.” AS “additional background,” he offered the following:
“In 2012, we began crafting a new universe full of new characters, stories, and gameplay. Our ambition is simple: Draw upon 20+ years of development knowledge and lessons to create something fun and new for you to enjoy with your friends.”
While there’s precious little to go on here, “bring players together” and “enjoy with your friends” certainly make you think that the new game may be multiplayer in focus. Of course, it could also be something more co-op focused, like the 4v1 Shadow Realms that Bioware cancelled back in 2015.
Whatever it is, we’re sure to see more of it soon, as Wilson said that it would be released by the end of Q1 2018, which means March 31 or earlier.
