Former Mass Effect: Andromeda developers have revealed that budget constraints were the reason for the lack of galactic travel and the very limited number of new alien species. Mass Effect: Andromeda released in early 2017 and, unfortunately, played host to myriad performance issues - many of which inspired memes that don't show it in the best light. But the litany of bugs that plagued the game early on weren't solely responsible for the mixed reception.
Critics and players alike also took umbrage with what appeared to be Mass Effect entry's shortcomings, as well.
Though Mass Effect: Andromeda only shipped with two new alien species (Angara and Kett), former developers recently told promising alien types. Design director Dorian Kieken added that an effort to keep the alien designs in a cosplay-safe territory may explain why crazier concepts didn't make into the final build. Neil Pollner, another writer, said several species were being brainstormed before production began in earnest. Apparently, plans in the project's infancy also emphasized galaxy travel of some kind. According to Pollner:
"...we were only given the budget for two new species, plus the Remnant. Not to mention that we couldn't even include all the Milky Way species. And we weren't going to be able to let you travel throughout the galaxy. This meant that we had to develop the story around some pretty glaring inorganic limitations. So, not only did you get something that felt (and was) much smaller than what you got before, almost everyone playing the game probably had something that they really liked about Mass Effect that just wasn't there."
This all suggests the BioWare team behind Mass Effect: Andromeda had few opportunities to actually make the game developers envisioned. It also makes the game's lack of single-player DLC that much more disappointing. What could the crew have accomplished with a bigger budget and more creative freedom? Such a question may never receive an answer, but there's hope yet for Mass Effect as a franchise.
In May, the original trilogy's long-awaited remaster, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, will launch digitally and at retail. Meanwhile, nascent work has already begun on the space epic's next entry. Details about its due date, story, and characters are all being kept under wraps; however, a teaser trailer from last year indicates whatever BioWare is cooking up will in some way tie into the trilogy's events.
Mass Effect: Andromeda is out now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Source: TheGamer
