'Mass Effect: Andromeda' news: Development team say they don't have to pick a canon ending

(Official website)Mass Effect: Andromeda

It has been three years since the most recent "Mass Effect," "Mass Effect 3," was released and to say that fans are already very antsy to find out more about the upcoming installment of the videogame franchise is a big understatement.

What is currently known as "Mass Effect: Andromeda," was announced almost three years ago and until now, the title is still in the thick of development. Thankfully, updates on the game have surfaced and they come from "Mass Effect's" production team themselves.

"Mass Effect: Andromeda," which was officially announced at the recently concluded E3, is the upcoming fourth installment of the "Mass Effect" franchise. While it would succeed "Mass Effect 3," creators of the game have specifically confirmed that the new game would not only no longer feature Commander Shepard but it would also be unrelated to the Canon.

"We have already said that the Commander Shepard trilogy is over and that the next game will not feature him/her. That is the only detail you have on the game. I see people saying 'well, they'll have to pick a canon ending.' No, because the game does not have to come after. Or before. Or off to the side. Or with characters you know."

More recently, Chris Wynn and Jay Watamaniuk, people who have been working on the title, have given little hints on how development is going. In a tweet sent out less than a week ago, Watamaniuk said that images of "Mass Effect: Andromeda" are already out and the team is already in the process of finalizing it.

"Looking at new concept art today and giving feedback. #secretIP," said the game's writer.

Wynn also commented on a quote tweeted by another person involved in the game, Ian S. Frazier, who expressed how difficult the process of developing "aliens" for Mass Effect was. He said, "They create a surprising amount of work to support in the game."

No confirmation on when specifically "Mass Effect: Andromeda" would be released, however, it is slated to be available by the fourth quarter of 2016.

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