Home Gaming EA open to remastering their franchises, including Mass Effect

EA open to remastering their franchises, including Mass Effect

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EA open to Mass Effect remasters 3

Just under a year ago EA seemingly dashed any hopes surrounding a Mass Effect (or any EA property) remaster. EA COO Peter Moore blasted the trend on record, saying that EA would never consider remastering their titles because it would be an admittance that they had run out of ideas. So either that has happened, or EA has just seen how lucrative this market can be. And speaking to Game Informer at Gamescom, they’re ready to start making their own.

In a full 180 from their stance on the matter last year, Executive Vice President for EA Studios Patrick Soderlund has stated that the publisher is actively looking to remaster some of their properties, and heavily hinted that Mass Effect would be one of them. The past year has allowed EA to study the remaster market, and it seems the overwhelming popularity of some has convinced them that it’s a market they can no longer ignore.

“What’s changed is that there is proof in the market that people want it. There were some that did it before, but I think there is even more clear evidence that this is something that people really want. … I can’t announce anything today, but you can expect us most likely to follow our fellow partners in Activision and other companies that have done this successfully.”

He did, however, also make it clear that the right brands would need to be selected for this, and that the publisher wasn’t planning to dust off every old franchise they have stored away. But for franchises like Mass Effect (which prompted these answers in the first place), its entirely possible. But only if they’re able to make significant improvements.

This softens the blow somewhat of Mass Effect: Andromeda being a no show at Gamescom last night, with the RPG still set to launch in Q1 of 2017 despite the lack of any gameplay footage. Soderlund attempted to ease concerns by stating that the had played some of the game’s introduction recently, and that fans had nothing to worry about regarding its release date.

“I just came back from a short vacation and I played through the first three hours of the game. It’s very playable, and there is no alarm about, ‘Why aren’t they showing it?’. It’s strictly that the game will get the right type of exposure at the right time and that we can the right voice for it.”

In the meantime, EA currently has their hands full with both Titanfall 2 and Battlefield 1 launching within two months, as well as their expensive sports catalogue to deal with until the year ends.

 

Last Updated: August 17, 2016

84 Comments

  1. I’d love to do a ME1,ME2,ME3 campaign at the moment.

    Just, NO MAKO!

    http://www.popchix.com/images/uploads/me_mako_1.jpg

    Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      August 17, 2016 at 08:07

      I have to wonder: How many people threw up using the sniper rifle and driving that Mako?

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        August 17, 2016 at 08:08

      • miaau

        August 17, 2016 at 08:09

        Sniper rifle! Remember the mission to take out 4 Zerg (ok, not Zerg, Geth) bases? 2nd playthrough, years ago, my char had Sniper rifle skill. Took all Geth out with Sniper Rifle. Man, you can start to feel a bit dis-orientated. BUT it was a fantastic amount of fun. Just remembering now, the feels is still strong

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          August 17, 2016 at 08:12

          The fun started with NG+

          Reply

          • miaau

            August 17, 2016 at 08:14

            Totally. One play-through, I got 150 kills with the Assault rifle as a non solider (do you know how crap that is to do?), just so that my Adept, on next playthrough, could use one, if she choose.

          • Matthew Holliday

            August 17, 2016 at 09:24

            With ME2 and 3 I agree 100%
            But ME1, the game was so story focused that I dont think that NG+ had the same value, but at the same time, NG+ on ME1 is when the game really started to feel like an RPG, the grind for better gear.
            I miss ME1 armour =/

          • Admiral Chief

            August 17, 2016 at 09:47

            Yeah, ME1 armour was baws

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        August 17, 2016 at 08:13

        Not me! My favourite thing to do was drive the Mako to the top of a hill, then sit & snipe enemies.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          August 17, 2016 at 08:16

          Same here

          Reply

    • Kromas GG

      August 17, 2016 at 08:14

      “I love the way this baby handles!” – Kromas

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        August 17, 2016 at 08:16

        If this Mako’s a’rockin’ don’t come a’knockin’

        Reply

  2. Dutch Matrix

    August 17, 2016 at 08:06

    The problem with a remaster is this: Gameplay does not change. I love Mass Effect, but ME1 is the weakest of the three. If they upped combat to be on the same level as ME2 and ME3, they can have my cash and my virginity!

    Reply

    • miaau

      August 17, 2016 at 08:08

      While I agree with you fully., I replayed ME1 on my xbox one earlier this year, just as they released it for backwards compat. I Loved IT. Totally. It was fun, it was immersive.

      I would, not full price mind, totally buy a digital remaster of ME1, 2 and 3 for my Xbox One, download them and restart FROM scratch again.

      Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        August 17, 2016 at 08:11

        I dunno. I am a sucker for a remaster. And I have a yearly replay of ME. So if a remaster drops and, like you said, it is not at a redicilous price, I would get it for PS4.

        Reply

        • miaau

          August 17, 2016 at 08:12

          faster than you can slap Vernon Conrad on the side of the head!

          Reply

          • Dutch Matrix

            August 17, 2016 at 08:19

            I have no idea who that is. First mental image was that of Vernon Koekemoer
            http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/masonry/000/048/257/vernpeg2.jpg

          • Admiral Chief

            August 17, 2016 at 08:20

            xD

          • Admiral Chief

            August 17, 2016 at 08:21

            He was that “badass” that Shep put in his place

          • Dutch Matrix

            August 17, 2016 at 08:29

            I dunno. I would have loved to fight alongside Koekemoer. Imagine the battle banter: “I’m gonna klap that Geth like an Oude Meester and Coke!”

          • miaau

            August 17, 2016 at 09:37

            Yeah, but what would Koekemoer say?

          • Matthew Holliday

            August 17, 2016 at 09:32

            surprisingly close.

    • Geoffrey Tim

      August 17, 2016 at 08:10

      Me1 is the best of the three for me ;P Was more RPG than action shooter.

      Reply

      • miaau

        August 17, 2016 at 08:11

        Um, yeah. “It was fun, it was immersive.”

        Funny how many people miss that.

        Oh, the Mako

        Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        August 17, 2016 at 08:11

        Indeed, but the Mako missions, the elevator ride and the one sniper rifle bug knocked it off my top list.

        ME2, ME1, ME3 is my order

        LOVED ME2

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          August 17, 2016 at 08:19

          That being said, ME3 was also blerrie amazing

          Reply

          • Commander Bob

            August 17, 2016 at 08:36

            Plus it had the best character in the entire franchise – Marauder Shields. NEVER FORGET!

          • Admiral Chief

            August 17, 2016 at 08:43

          • Matthew Holliday

            August 17, 2016 at 09:40

            If you’re up for a read, this is the good shit.
            story gets going around chapter 6
            http://www.koobismo.com/comic/marauder-shields-episode-1/

            Mad that he never finished it…

          • Admiral Chief

            August 17, 2016 at 09:48

            Have you seen the Angry Joe Indoctronation theory video?

          • Matthew Holliday

            August 17, 2016 at 09:53

            Yeah, ages ago, forgotten it mostly, might give it a good rewatch.
            But the comic is quality, indoctrination theory and a reimagined last mission.

          • Admiral Chief

            August 17, 2016 at 10:05

            Rewatched the AJ video this morning, quality stuffs

          • Admiral Chief

            August 17, 2016 at 08:47

      • Dutch Matrix

        August 17, 2016 at 08:17

        I hear you. Totally hating ME1 is like hating your dad. He’s the reason you are here and having a great time of it… (Unless your dad is a total arse. Mine is awesome.)

        Reply

    • Kromas GG

      August 17, 2016 at 08:15

      ME1 was the best of the three in my opinion but then again I played the game for the RP part of RPG and gameplay never ever ever trumps story for me.

      Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        August 17, 2016 at 08:27

        To be honest, I only got into ME because my porn riddled soul saw “Lesbian Sex” and I was like “Where can I get R600.00?”
        (Overshare?)
        But… it had a great story, to be sure. But when you first play the awesome Gears of War and then Mass Effect with its sticky combat? Wasn’t a good thing at the time. I am old school. I play games for the gameplay. Story 98% of the time is something I skip at the press of a button.

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          August 17, 2016 at 08:30

          But you can get lesbian sex for less than R600.

          I mean… um… a friend told me?

          Reply

        • Kromas GG

          August 17, 2016 at 08:32

          Well I am also old school and the games that were amazing were all games that told a story. Zelda had terrible gameplay yet story was amazing. Final fantasy failed at a lot and still does but back in the day story was what mattered. No one remembers the gameplay from those times they only remember story. And now I am in the mood for an old game … just great.

          Reply

    • Melasco

      August 17, 2016 at 08:26

      I guess it depends on what they see as “remaster”…. If they simply bump the games to PS4/XBONE as is with a boost to 1080p60 with PC textures, then I dont see the point as ME was never played for it’s graphics anyways…. BUT… if they rebuild it in a new engine and align combat etc to say ME3… Now that would make me throw money at it.

      Only reason I have not replayed all 3 this year is my PS3 died 🙁 I would buy a simple port to PS4 just to play it again, but not at the full retail price.

      Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        August 17, 2016 at 08:28

        I somehow doubt they will touch combat. That will be admitting that they did not do it as good. But yes. Up the combat a bit and I would sell my chickens for it!

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          August 17, 2016 at 08:28

          Just don’t choke them

          Reply

        • Matthew Holliday

          August 17, 2016 at 09:43

          The day they update game mechanics/enging and stuff for a remaster is the day my faith in developers is restored.
          I dont see that coming any time soon.

          only 1080p60fps, maybe some extra bloom and lighting effects.

          Reply

    • Matthew Holliday

      August 17, 2016 at 09:31

      I dont think ME1 was the weakest, its just different.
      I want more of ME2+3 to be put into ME1.
      And more of ME1 needs to be put into ME:Andromeda.

      ME2+3 were alot more streamlined products and actually alot less RPGish, although gameplay and the way they told their story etc were obviously far superior.
      But I still wanted a less streamlined product, let me explore planets, give me more than 5 options for my skillset, let me buy guns and armour that are level dependant and make me feel like a mech warrior instead of the level scaling BS we got in 2 and 3

      Reply

  3. miaau

    August 17, 2016 at 08:06

    Yeah, probably read the financial reports of a rival and wanted to get them some of that remaster pay days stuff.

    Reply

  4. Admiral Chief

    August 17, 2016 at 08:09

    I played ME1 about 7 times, maybe 9…
    ME2, almost 30
    ME3, twice

    🙁

    Reply

    • miaau

      August 17, 2016 at 08:10

      I played ME1 about 5 times
      ME2, almost 4 times
      ME3, once

      Me1 was my first Xbox 360 game that MATTERED.

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        August 17, 2016 at 08:15

        Me too, almost. ME1 7 times because I lost my save games & had to do a few replays to redo it.

        Reply

        • Matthew Holliday

          August 17, 2016 at 09:45

          I did that too, formatted and lost all my saves.
          was like 400 hours of my life just disappeared

          Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      August 17, 2016 at 08:13

      The thing that gets me of ME3 is how they kill off a lot of ME characters. And the death scenes are like: “My word! Just shut up and die allready! You gonna bore me to death too!”

      Reply

      • miaau

        August 17, 2016 at 08:14

        Death scenes that share……

        Reply

        • Dutch Matrix

          August 17, 2016 at 08:21

          #SPOILER ALERT# Miranda’s death scene was the worst. Like it was (forgive the reference) voiced by the worst porn actress in the world trying to be dramatic.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief

            August 17, 2016 at 08:22

            Dat ass doe

      • Admiral Chief

        August 17, 2016 at 08:17

        Yeah, ME3 left me an emotional wreck…

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          August 17, 2016 at 08:17

          Come now, the ending wasn’t that bad.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief

            August 17, 2016 at 08:18

            No, not referring to the ending, just, it was heavy. All the emotions, the death of characters I’ve grown to adore (see my many, many ME2 playthroughs)

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            August 17, 2016 at 08:22

            I know 😛

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            August 17, 2016 at 08:21

            I prefered the blue one

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            August 17, 2016 at 08:22

            Green for me, I got my robot on.

          • Admiral Chief

            August 17, 2016 at 08:23

            Red for me

      • Matthew Holliday

        August 17, 2016 at 09:52

        People die in ME3?
        But that is not permitted
        Closest I got to a teammate death was grunt asking for a sandwich

        Reply

    • Matthew Holliday

      August 17, 2016 at 09:45

      ME1 6
      ME2 10
      ME3 4

      I did put a fair few hours into the ME3 multiplayer though, that was quality.

      Reply

  5. Commander Bob

    August 17, 2016 at 08:17

    Why so many remasters, son?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

      August 17, 2016 at 08:21

      Easy money

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        August 17, 2016 at 08:23

        EAsy money you say?

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

          August 17, 2016 at 08:24

          XD

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief

            August 17, 2016 at 08:24

            LOL
            Opportunity missed

        • Admiral Chief

          August 17, 2016 at 08:24

          Oh you

          Reply

  6. Kromas GG

    August 17, 2016 at 08:20

    Not to veer off the awesome news but who else here is hoping for KoToR remasters?

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      August 17, 2016 at 08:21

      O_____________O

      MF

      YOU ARE RIGHT!!!!!

      KotOR > ME

      And I LOOOOOOOOOOVE Mass Effect

      Reply

      • Kromas GG

        August 17, 2016 at 08:24

        Nope ME trumps all but it is still relatively playable. KotoR not so much.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          August 17, 2016 at 08:24

          Was not referring to the playable, but to the love factor (that sounds naughty)

          Reply

          • Kromas GG

            August 17, 2016 at 08:33

            I meant ME does not really require a remaster just yet. KotoR does.

            But in terms of love. KotoR was my first love but ME is the girl I married.

          • Admiral Chief

            August 17, 2016 at 08:34

            Hahaha, well put.

            And yes, KotOR NEEDS remaster

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      August 17, 2016 at 08:24

      Not me, I wouldn’t play them again. Time’s passed, moved on.

      Reply

      • Commander Bob

        August 17, 2016 at 08:27

        I agree. I don’t want to play the same story again. I’ve played it many times in the past. So what is it has updated graphics.

        Rather gives us a fresh new adventure exploring another great story in the ME/KOTOR/whatever game universe.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          August 17, 2016 at 08:28

          …there IS a new Mass Effect on the way, just btw

          😉

          Reply

          • Commander Bob

            August 17, 2016 at 08:32

            I know and I hope it’ll be great. I enjoy the ME stories which is why I would prefer new ones not rehashed cash grabs.

  7. Admiral Chief

    August 17, 2016 at 08:28

    I love how ‘Mass Effect’ article gets everyone talking, while the CoD article has tumbleweeds…

    Reply

    • Commander Bob

      August 17, 2016 at 08:33

      Well, you can only copy paste your comments so many times…

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        August 17, 2016 at 08:34

        hehehehe

        Reply

  8. Tom

    August 17, 2016 at 09:08

    Things, originally I really wanted this. Now I know that what ever you did in them makes no difference to andromeda and nothing carries over or makes a difference I’m not fussed. I’ll get my missing achievements on 360. Put more time in making andromeda a success.

    Reply

  9. chimera_85

    August 17, 2016 at 11:04

    If they would make the ME trilogy in Frostbite 3 I will wet myself 😀

    Reply

  10. The Order of the Banana

    August 17, 2016 at 12:47

    No! Don’t do it EA! Don’t be that guy!

    Reply

  11. Skyblue

    August 17, 2016 at 12:47

    The same EA who told the UFC their sport was barbaric and they’d never have anything to do with it. Oh you EA.

    Reply

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