70°

What is Mass Effect Andromeda - Info & Theories

Gameranx has theories on the timeskip, why Andromeda, and why N7 is in there. This video also serves to recap everything Bioware has revealed so far.

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gameranx.com
medman3611d ago

I expect Bioware to stun me when gameplay for this is finally revealed.

Naga3611d ago (Edited 3611d ago )

After how much they have been talking it up without showing us anything of substance, they sure as heck better be hiding something phenomenal.

Ashlen3611d ago

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I'm not excited. Bioware under EA especially now that basically all the founders have left just doesn't make the same type of games and the new EA style just doesn't appeal to me.

Mass Effect 3 was my least favorite for a bunch of reasons, Dragon Age 2 was crap and Dragon Age Inquisition while better than 2 really didn't impress especially when compared to other RPG's that came out later in the year.

I hope to be surprised. But given that as I understand it's a reboot and previous choices won't matter I expect EA to make a cheap sequel which is how I feel about ME3 in a way when you look at the recycled multiplayer maps and lack of companions ect.

deafdani3611d ago

Reboot? As far as I know, this isn't a reboot. Just another story entirely, apparently unrelated to everything that happened on the original trilogy. But it's still contained in the same universe and same continuity.

Ashlen3611d ago

"Just another story entirely, apparently unrelated to everything that happened on the original trilogy"

Right, a reboot.

deafdani3611d ago

A reboot is when you completely discard previous entries in a game series as if they never happened. That is not the case here.

Again: Andromeda has continuity with the previous entries and it's the same universe. It's just a new story, as in, not related to Shepad, and most likely not related to the Reapers either.

Ashlen3611d ago

Well then I don't know what to say about Tomb Raider since that's the same character same world. And they are prequels using younger Lara who presumably will eventually do all the stuff she does in the earlier games later in life.

deafdani3611d ago

Yup, as far as I know, Tomb Raider was a reboot because it reimagined everything regarding that world. That's why Lara Croft had a complete change of appearance compared to previous games, and that's why the gameplay was also so different, and the origin story was different as well. This reboot completely discarded all the previous Tomb Raider games.

As for Lara becoming the bad-ass we've known to love in the original TR series, I guess we will see that on the new Tomb Raider launching this year for Xbox One... which will be in the same continuity of the 2013 reboot, not the previous games, which apparently has been thrown to the trash.

:)

Lonnie183611d ago

I just hope it will be fair on all consoles :)

80°

Inside the ‘Dragon Age’ Debacle That Gutted EA’s BioWare Studio

The latest game in BioWare’s fantasy role-playing series went through ten years of development turmoil

In early November, on the eve of the crucial holiday shopping season, staffers at the video-game studio BioWare were feeling optimistic. After an excruciating development cycle, they had finally released their latest game, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and the early reception was largely positive. The role-playing game was topping sales charts on Steam, and solid, if not spectacular, reviews were rolling in.

HyperMoused18d ago

Its easy they called the die hard fans people in their nerd caves who will buy anything and then went woke to reach modern audiences....insulting the nerds in their caves along the way showing utter contempt for their fan base. very hapy it failed and any company who insults their fan base and treat their customers with contempt and insults, in future, i also hope fail.

neutralgamer199218d ago

It’s disappointing but not surprising to see what's happening with Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the broader situation at BioWare. The layoffs are tragic — no one wants to see talented developers lose their jobs. But when studios repeatedly create games that alienate their own fanbase, outcomes like this become unfortunately predictable.

There’s a pattern we’re seeing far too often: beloved franchises are revived, only to be reshaped into something almost unrecognizable. Changes are made that no one asked for, often at the expense of what originally made these games special. Then, when long-time fans express concern or lose interest, they’re told, “This game might not be for you.” But when those same fans heed that advice and don’t buy the game, suddenly they're labeled as toxic, sexist, bigoted, or worse.

Let’s be clear: the overwhelming majority of gamers have no issue with diversity, LGBTQ+ representation, or strong female leads. In fact, some of the most iconic characters in gaming — like Aloy, Ellie, or FemShep — are proof that inclusivity and excellent storytelling can and do go hand in hand. The issue arises when diversity feels performative, forced, or disconnected from the narrative — when characters or themes are inserted not to serve the story, but to satisfy a corporate DEI checklist. Audiences can tell the difference.

When studios chase approval from a vocal minority that often doesn’t even buy games — while simultaneously dismissing loyal fans who actually do — they risk not just the success of individual titles, but the health of their entire studio. Telling your core customers “don’t buy it if you don’t like it” is not a viable business strategy. Because guess what? Many of us won’t. And when the game fails commercially, blaming those very fans for not supporting it is both unfair and self-defeating.

Gamers aren’t asking for less diversity or less progress. We’re asking for better writing, thoughtful character development, and a respect for the franchises we’ve supported for decades. When you give people great games that speak to them — whether they’re old fans or new players — they will show up. But if you keep making games for people who don’t play them, don’t be surprised when those who do stop showing up

Armaggedon17d ago

I thought the writing and character development were fine. Sometimes things just dont resonate with people.

70°

BioWare Co-Founder’s Dream: Transforming EA from Within Through SWTOR Success

BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk reveals his unrealized dream of transforming EA from within, with hopes pinned on SWTOR’s success.

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swtorstrategies.com
LordoftheCritics126d ago (Edited 126d ago )

for us gamers

Dragon Age 4: A Dream Unrealized

SWTOR was a great game on a bad engine.

JunonZanon125d ago

Agreed, SWTOR still has some of the best dialogue from any Star Wars work. I think we all miss this old Bioware the most.

210°

Mark Darrah: stop harassing devs because you don't know what caused "the thing that you're mad at"

Former BioWare executive Mark Darrah says "be a human being, have some empathy."
Fans don't know who is actually to blame.
Darrah throws up a hypothetical that someone might not like how an actor delivered a line. Sure, it could well be down to the actor, but it also might be down to who was directing them, how the writer asked their work to be delivered, or maybe that was the only take they got.

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gamesradar.com
-Foxtrot131d ago

This line from the video though

"Maybe the CEO of the entire company really wanted his nephew to be hired as a script consultant and this guy with literally zero experience was coming in and pushing for mandatory changes"

Like others have said that seems far too specific to just be an example...

Eonjay130d ago

Exactly. And the crazy part about this is that the people there just doing their job and trying to make a living are the one's getting hurt and losing their jobs. I am also not a fan of targeting specific individuals. Its poor form. These are video games.

RiseNShine130d ago

If only there was a single problem with this game, it was a train wreck waiting to crash and burn.

thorstein130d ago (Edited 130d ago )

As usual, common sense falls on deaf ears. I mean, he thinks this article is about Dragon Age Veilguard. He rejects logic and evidence.

What possible logic or evidence can you provide to convince him otherwise.

Notellin129d ago

The community has spoken and would like for you to stop instead.

Armaggedon129d ago (Edited 129d ago )

@Thorstein

Cant expect people to see reason now a days.

@Notellin
Sure. Go ahead and bury yourselves beneath your own ignorance.

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thorstein130d ago

This article isn't about that game.

Gamingsince1981129d ago

Veilguard was complete trash though anyway.

Notellin129d ago

Then don't use it for the thumbnail. It's misleading on purpose to draw this reaction.

thorstein129d ago

Or...I don't know... read the article.

staticall130d ago

Personally, i think we should always blame and criticize the management (especially top management; like with EA - every screw up should be blamed on Andrew Wilson and his goons). They're the ones with the power, the ones who have the last say in the matter - whatever is the plot details, gameplay, microtransactions, budget and «It's ok that it's buggy and crashes constantly, release the game ASAP, we'll fix it later».

Harrasement is not ok in my book, although, nowadays, many people paint every type of criticism (whatever warranted or not) as harrasement. Which is a very narrowminded and waters down actual harrasement problems. But, i guess, it makes it easier to ignore everything bad you see aimed towards yourself.

I would also like to add, that this topic is a double-edged sword, some developers are being mean to their customers, calling them names or any sort of -isms, that happens. In that case, don't be surprised, that, when you're «firing shots», customers are «shooting back» at you.

SimpleDad130d ago

We do want better games, and we get them by criticizing bad ones.

Eonjay130d ago

No you don't. Everything is criticized by somebody these days. By that logic everything is bad. Thats just more fuel for the echo chamber. The way you get games you want is by supporting the types of games you want by buying them. You want more games like Astrobot? Buy Astrobot. Recommend it to others. Its not about bashing what you don't like. its about supporting what you do like. Money talks.

SimpleDad130d ago

Absolutely, I buy my games cause subscriptions are also part of the problem. I don't criticize myself personally, but by observing criticism by others, I avoid purchasing games with problems.

TheColbertinator130d ago

No we don't. FIFA and Madden get criticized every year and the games get worse and more overpriced.

Christopher130d ago

Lack of profit is the only way to do it, but people are fine buying shit games every day, just not the shit games we talk about regularly here. We distract ourselves with this stupid 'social mirage' issue and the corporations get to keep doing less and less but selling it for more and more.

Armaggedon130d ago

“Better game” with big air quotes. What you like more, makes more sense.

Gamingsince1981129d ago

Says the only guy in the world that likes vanguard, I bet you like avowed aswell huh

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leahcim130d ago

Empathy has no value when it comes to killing a franchise loved by thousands.

Eonjay130d ago

Empathy always has value when dealing with other human beings. This includes empathy towards the fans who feel scorned and the devs who worked their asses off.

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