[UPDATE] Bioware and EA have denied the rumours.
I think it’s fair to say that Mass Effect: Andromeda did not have the impact anyone had hoped. The divisive space opera RPG was not as well received by critics or fans of the series as previous games. It’s put a great big question mark over the future of a once great franchise. It looks like there may be more bad news for fans on the horizon.
You’ve probably never heard of Sinclair Networks. They’re an Austrian company (who may or may not actually exist) that provides services to game developers in their time of need, helping with polish, networking or patching when there’s a shortage of hands. Here’s what they say in their about section, for clarity:
“Providing games developers with high-quality support at a moment’s notice. Developing servers and networks as well as bug fixes and patches from some of the world’s leading game developers.”
They were apparently brought on to polish up Mass Effect: Andromeda post release, working to make the game a little shinier after it was lambasted. That’s not all they were hired to do though. According to them (a reminder that this is just hearsay) they were hired to produce three sets of story-based DLC for the game. It’s plausible, considering the team that made Mass Effect Andromeda has been significantly downsized. That DLC has, however, apparently been cancelled.
In an apparently now-deleted post on their Facebook, Sinclair Networks let loose the news that Andromeda’s DLC or at least the DLC they were working on) has been binned.
Here’s what the post said, captured for posterity on the Bioware Social Network:
“This news saddens us to say, but it was made official after a meeting this week that there will be no story DLC for Mass Effect Andromeda. Due to issues in initial production, heavy critique, significant delays in other projects it was decided to shelve the franchise for the time being and all resources and outsourcing are being focused to the 2018 release of Anthem.
For the moment the Mass Effect series will be on ice until BioWare can decide which direction the franchise will go.
The only content that will be produced will be the recurring APEX missions as well as patches as and when needed”
In the deleted thread, somebody on Sinclair’s staff was very vocal about the cancellation – pointing a few fingers at BioWare.
“Our boss said the game needs DLC to keep interest and also reduce the stigma that will be created with Anthem. But the bigwigs at BioWare didn’t listen as they do not see the community.”
It’s possible that BioWare themselves may make DLC for Andromeda, or they may outsource the job to somebody else. It doesn’t, however, seem that they’ll be working with Sinclair again.
Last Updated: June 30, 2017
Original Heretic
June 29, 2017 at 09:57
“The stigma created with Anthem”? Huh?
I’m not sure I get what they mean with that. Anthem looks awesome. Are they implying that people are going to lambaste ME. Andromeda even more because of Anthem? Or that Anthem is going to piss people off?
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 29, 2017 at 10:02
I think a lot of people believe that ME:A was shoved out the door and not given the attention it needed because Bioware wanted to concentrate on Anthem.
Original Heretic
June 29, 2017 at 10:05
Ah okay, makes sense to think that. I thought that. I think everyone thinks that. And I think everyone is right
RinceThis
June 29, 2017 at 10:03
They perhaps focused too much on Anthem.
BakedBagel
June 29, 2017 at 10:12
One of the main guys who worked on ME1:2 is apparently on the team for Anthem
Hence why Andromeda was so bad LUL
That could be the reason why peeps will lambaste ME. I dunno tbh lmao
cunning linguist
June 29, 2017 at 16:35
I’m going to lambaste Anthem if they don’t get the trans characters right. That was the biggest problem, clearly, in Andromeda.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 29, 2017 at 10:00
“I think it’s fair to say that Mass Effect: Andromeda did not have the impact anyone had hoped.” It had a minor effect. 😛
RinceThis
June 29, 2017 at 10:02
Get out!
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 29, 2017 at 10:09
Speaking of minor impacts, hello.
Original Heretic
June 29, 2017 at 10:09
You’re right, your hello doesn’t have much of an impact.
RinceThis
June 29, 2017 at 10:09
Eish!
Original Heretic
June 29, 2017 at 10:10
I’m sticking up for you and THIS is how you react?
RinceThis
June 29, 2017 at 10:10
Tehehe. I was only adding more weight to your comment! 😉
Original Heretic
June 29, 2017 at 10:11
I’m far from overweight, so I more weight is always welcome.
RinceThis
June 29, 2017 at 10:12
Ask Trev. He’s got plenty to spare *RUN!
Original Heretic
June 29, 2017 at 10:13
Don’t run, face your demons. Even the old ones.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 29, 2017 at 10:10
I’m always right.
RinceThis
June 29, 2017 at 10:11
Explains why you’re always going in circles.
Original Heretic
June 29, 2017 at 10:11
Took the words out of my mouth.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 29, 2017 at 10:13
Clearly you’ve never been in my situation – trying to explain something to you.
Original Heretic
June 29, 2017 at 10:14
Did you guys get married or something? Cause that’s how you sound, like an old married couple.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 29, 2017 at 10:17
Marry him? And lose half my assets in the divorce? I might be mad, but there’s still method in my madness.
RinceThis
June 29, 2017 at 10:19
You’d be so bloody lucky
Original Heretic
June 29, 2017 at 10:19
You could get half of his stuff. I dunno. Which one of you is the girl?
RinceThis
June 29, 2017 at 10:17
The jealousy door is THAT way. Don’t let it hit you on the way out!
Original Heretic
June 29, 2017 at 10:21
JEALOUSY?!?! Wahahahaahaha!
Wait….
WAhahahaahahahaha!
Okay, wait, I need to…
Wahahahahaaaaaaaahhhaaa!
Oh boy, I, I need to calm down now a bit…
Nope!
Hahahahaahahahaha!!!
Okay, I think I’m done now.
*snigger* Jealousy….
RinceThis
June 29, 2017 at 10:22
Only jealousy could elicit such a response! Tralalala!
Original Heretic
June 29, 2017 at 10:24
You tickled my funny bone. That’s the only bone male type persons are allowed to tickle on me.
RinceThis
June 29, 2017 at 10:17
What!?
RinceThis
June 29, 2017 at 10:09
You shut your filthy mouth!
Gavin Mannion
June 29, 2017 at 10:06
Someone forgot to check with public relations before posting on their social media.. .
miaau
June 29, 2017 at 10:42
Look, I played the game recently, finished it on Saturday past. I must admit, it was a let down, the ending was very quick.
BUT, I managed to look past the huge list of problems, not least of which Asari now moved, looked and acted differently then in the first games. That is a big deal.
Clear to me and everyone this game had development issues, that impacted story. BUT game play was pretty solid.
Do I want more story DLC? Nah, could not bothered. What I do is, buy game play game, replay game when ALL DLC are released, better content, some story differences and all that. Not really interested in replaying Andromeda, to be honest. Even a Citadel size / style DLC will not bring me back. The characters, bar one or two, were flat and I made no connection with them. Drack, maybe. Suvi? Sort of.
They need to move on. Either make a new Mass Effect Sequel that redeems the sins of the past (people will still be interested in this, I think) or just shelve it and move on. There is scope for a fun game, set say 200 or so years in the future, add two more playable Alien Species (character creation like Baldurs Gate or Diablo) and have the Kett Armada AND the creators of the Scourge show up. Big war, could be fun.
For the Emperor!
June 29, 2017 at 12:31
Yeah, the gameplay was solid, and the issues with bugs and animation etc did not deter me. It was the story…such a poorly “written” game in my opinion. After 60+ hours I still could not see myself caring for any of the crew. I did not care about the characters in the opening either. Have not touched it in months and I hate leaving things uncompleted 🙁
miaau
June 29, 2017 at 14:31
I finished it, but I did not realise I finished it till the end credits rolled….. Weird. not a hard fight at all. First time I fought an Architect, now that was a hard fight, game-play wise. Just happy my first one was not on Voeld.
The story got to me too, but for me it was changing the aliens we know and love with the poor animations. That was sloppy, no excuse. I am playing Dragon Age Origins AGAIN and the 2009 game, emulated on Xbox One from Xbox 360, has more realistic human speech patterns than Andromeda.
DBL_ZA
June 29, 2017 at 11:16
Hmmm….
https://www.reddit.com/r/masseffect/comments/6k6fkf/mea_no_spoilersstory_dlc_cancelled/djjppw1/
If nothing else, it makes you wonder.
LordCancer Kain
June 29, 2017 at 12:07
that is one way to win the bargain bin. i wont be buying that pos destiny clone anthem. apex is garbage, ea is like microsoft they gut developers and now bioware is nothing without the leadership of the doctors. bioware is dead, ea killed it.
Simon Morris
June 29, 2017 at 12:54
Absolutely 100% Bioware’s (executive’s) fault. Just desserts. Just a shame they were so shortsighted and complacent they utterly ruined the continued success of an IP that had the potential of another StarWars. Give the IP a nice long (10 years) rest so everyone forgets about the embarrassing shit-show you dared release – then reboot.
And ffs put your #A team on it next time!
L.
June 29, 2017 at 14:08
Regurgitate baseless garbage from a random Facebook page for a fake company (whose contact information is for a completely different company) with fake employees (using stock photos for avatars) with absolutely no actual evidence that they have any links whatsoever to BioWare (other than these people saying so). But just say “Rumor” before the headline, to cover your ass.
You’re a fucking loser who just wants Mass Effect fans to kill themselves, you fucking scumbag.
Gavin Mannion
June 30, 2017 at 08:30
*Rumour
Roland Daniel
June 29, 2017 at 14:17
Mass Effect Andromeda feels like a great big middle finger to fans.
wjgo
June 29, 2017 at 14:40
What? No DLC to follow up a tranny love story?
Craig "CrAiGiSh" Dodd
June 29, 2017 at 14:44
Well fuck …
Timothy Dolan
June 29, 2017 at 15:42
I wonder if Bioware thinks everyone will just jump onto the Anthem bandwagon after the dumpster fire that was Andromeda. No thank you, I’ll buy another Bioware game when they make up for the ending of ME3 and finally this newest garbage. It’s like they don’t realize why people loved the Mass Effect games.
Greg
June 29, 2017 at 15:48
It’s finally over.
James Fitzgerald
June 29, 2017 at 16:07
“It doesn’t, however , seem that they’ll not be working with Sinclair again.” <—um what?
Geoffrey Tim
June 29, 2017 at 16:24
Thanks. Editorial oversight. Fixed.
QUIMICOMORTAL
June 29, 2017 at 16:29
EA had a great franchise and it dragged it to the mud until they end it in such unceremoniously way. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/840488da07b7e22812e8b720882c1e4c3361ae3ad8d2e5c278d3fff9c83b5978.gif
cunning linguist
June 29, 2017 at 16:29
This game clearly failed because they didn’t get the trans character right. Story…animations…who needs those things in a video game when a one off trans npc isn’t portrayed how a particular community thinks it should be? Get it right Bioware…Anthem better be full of trans people and all of them portrayed with lifelike vigor. I for one am glad there is no DLC. Unless it was a trans DLC which fixed all things trans about the game.
Octagon7788
June 29, 2017 at 19:48
It takes a lot of confidence to drop a series that has been developed over the years along with characters that had developed a loyal following to start over with all new characters. Right about now they probably wish they had pulled Shepherds team out of cryo to do this mission.
Chuckles von Clausewitz III
June 29, 2017 at 20:06
My cousin gave me her copy of Mass Effect Andromeda, and…. sigh… I don’t even know what to say.
spideynut71
June 30, 2017 at 04:19
Your cousin hates you.
Chuckles von Clausewitz III
June 30, 2017 at 12:06
Yep, I’m starting to realise the truth too… 🙁 I never knew she hated me THIS MUCH!
BSN forums
June 29, 2017 at 23:12
Fake company, fake news, fake story. All debunked by Reddit and BSN. http://bsn.boards.net/thread/11726
Gavin Mannion
June 30, 2017 at 08:29
#sad?
Robert Mikolon
June 30, 2017 at 00:20
The game was very PC. I found myself rolling my eyes at least ten times. Have to keep politics out of games and it is okay for characters to be good looking. My gosh the entire base headsets look like something out of a Zombie movie and I’m not talking about the people trying to kill them. I thought the game play was decent. Graphics were great. Couple of the characters were pretty cool. The loyalty side missions were funny and fun so I thought the game was great. ME3 was my favorite game of all time and while this one was not to that level for me it was certainly a fun game. They can make more and do well. Just cut out the PC crap and create a game with heart that gives people an escape from real life. Not to sound to repetitive but again you can’t go along with the PC people when creating a video game. That group of people are very loud and annoying but it is far smaller than you think.
spideynut71
June 30, 2017 at 00:45
LOL… now we know why they didn’t offer a season pass for ME:A ; they knew it was hot garbage, wouldn’t commit to extended support. Anyone who pre-orders Anthem is an idiot.
MiamiBeachMedMan
June 30, 2017 at 07:34
EA = Extraordinary A$$holes.
Adblock user
June 30, 2017 at 11:06
I really don’t care cause MEA is biggest fail in the gaming history.