Next Mass Effect Will Use Frostbite Engine, DA3 Systems

BioWare Montreal studio director Yanick Roy revealed in a recent blog that the next Mass Effect game will use DICE's Frostbite engine while also incorporating many systems developed for the recently announced Dragon Age 3: Inquisition. Casey Hudson will remain as the Executive Producer, he said, but will have a Project Director under him who will be working in Montreal and leading the development team, making day-to-day decisions.

"While [Mass Effect 4] will be very respectful of the heritage built over the course of the first three games, with the original trilogy now concluded and the switch over to a new engine, we are exploring new directions, both on the gameplay and story fronts," Roy said. "You can still expect the pillars the franchise is known for to be fully intact though, including diverse alien races, a huge galaxy to explore, and of course rich, cinematic storytelling."

With the core team in place, the next step in the Mass Effect 4 development stage will be to cram even more developers into the studio over the next year to support the production of another AAA Mass Effect title. Naturally that leads to a link to BioWare's job postings site, and a comment about how fans won't hear anything else from the studio for a long time to come.

The first trilogy of Mass Effect titles was created by BioWare's original studio in Edmonton. However news of a developmental shift to Montreal arrives after BioWare founders Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk retired from the company to pursue other non-gaming careers. Star Wars: The Old Republic creative director Daniel Erickson and writer Alexander Freed have also departed.

"In January of 2006, I was lucky enough to join my favorite game company," Roy said in the blog. "I was immediately assigned to the original Mass Effect, which was in very early production at the time, as its Senior Development Director. I worked closely with Casey Hudson and the Leads team through the rest of ME1 and the first half of ME2, when BioWare decided to open another studio in Montreal. I was honored to be asked to lead the team, so I wrapped up my work in Edmonton and moved back to Montreal in the summer of 2009, where our small team was being put in place."

To read the full blog, head here. Note that Roy doesn't mention the Frostbite 2 engine specifically, meaning the studio may use the next-generation version of DICE's engine instead. Dragon Age III: Inquisition is slated for a late 2013 release, and currently does use the Frostbite 2 engine.

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  • kcorp2003
    I wonder if mass effect 4 will be a Prequel or sequel. But frostbite 2.0 is pretty good looking engine with a nice editor, base from what i saw from army of two: the Devil's Cartel visual effects video. According to Johan Andersson, i think he said each studio have their own frostbite version tweak to their own liking.
    Reply
  • nameon
    I seriously hope they dont damage the franchise further..., they better make this a prequel, preferably the the rachnii wars with krogan rebellion.
    Reply
  • psykhe
    Unlikely for both cases, unless they make them without any Humans in it. Both these conflicts were way before Humans got FTL technology.
    Reply
  • nameon
    Wouldnt mind getting into the boots of a turian, heck that probably a very good creative direction to go..
    Reply
  • kitsunestarwind
    Honestly after the mess that was the ending of Mass Effect 3, I'm not sure i want to play anymore Mass Effect, too much of a bitter taste left in my mouth
    Reply
  • neiroatopelcc
    I'm looking forward to both games, but I'm certain I'll buy dragon age - not so certain about ME. I hope the characters are as diverse as in the first dragon age. One of the best games released this millenia in my opinion.
    Reply
  • blackmancer
    loved mass effect 1 and 2, heard about 3, didn't play it. supposed to be the last game, now they're releasing 4?? why not go back and remake 3 how it was supposed to and release it for free seeing you already made enough to break even on the project and you'll be able to walk away with some honour!
    Reply
  • nameon
    blackmancerloved mass effect 1 and 2, heard about 3, didn't play it. supposed to be the last game, now they're releasing 4?? why not go back and remake 3 how it was supposed to and release it for free seeing you already made enough to break even on the project and you'll be able to walk away with some honour!Duuuude, dont believe the hype play ME3, it is phenomenal olny the last 10mins i'll leave upto you to decide if you like it or not, personally i didnt hate the ending myself i just remember being so shocked probably in a good way,

    all i can tell you is that i think people were too vocal about not getting a happy ending that they wanted
    Reply
  • sixdegree
    Instead of ME4. how about Mass Effect MMORPG with monthly subscription model? EA and Bioware are already proved their success with their widely popular SWTOR. I bet they're gonna hit 100 millions subscribers in the first month of the release.
    Reply
  • tomfreak
    sixdegreeInstead of ME4. how about Mass Effect MMORPG with monthly subscription model? EA and Bioware are already proved their success with their widely popular SWTOR. I bet they're gonna hit 100 millions subscribers in the first month of the release.not sure u are.....telling sarcasm or ...
    Reply