BioWare Montreal Halts Single-Player, Story Update For 'Mass Effect: Andromeda'

If you’re hoping for more story content in Mass Effect: Andromeda’s campaign, you’re out of luck. On Saturday, the Montreal arm of the large studio announced that it won’t release additional updates or content for the single-player experience.

In a short announcement on the game’s website, BioWare stated that update 1.10, which came out on July 31, was the final patch to the game, which also means that it won’t receive any downloadable content (DLC) in the future. This news comes as a shock to fans who are used to additional content. The three previous Mass Effect titles all received multiple DLC packs that added new storylines, characters, or missions.

The studio didn’t specifically cite a reason for the stoppage, but it’s clear that the studio had no shortage of issues with the game before and after its release. Those with EA or Origin Access played the game before launch, and some reported a constant black screen during startup or graphics issues while using its high dynamic range (HDR) visual feature. As we wrote in our hands-on story, Mass Effect: Andromeda also suffered from mediocre facial animations for its characters. Complaints and criticisms from fans and journalists alike prompted the studio to make a statement not long after launch, which acknowledged the feedback. In April, BioWare announced that it would release a series of updates to fix problems that plagued the campaign and multiplayer modes. Later updates, like the one in early July, added more content to the multiplayer experience, although the campaign didn’t receive new stories or missions at all.

The lack of additional content means that you’ll have to look to other mediums to continue the story of the Pathfinder. BioWare mentioned that it will “continue to tell stories in the Andromeda Galaxy through our upcoming comics and novels, including the fate of the quarian ark.” One facet of the game that will still receive updates is multiplayer.

“In the coming weeks, our multiplayer team will provide details of their ongoing support and upcoming content, including new multiplayer missions, character kits, and what’s in store for N7 Day,” the company said.

The expectations for a new Mass Effect, especially with the end of Commander Shepard’s story in Mass Effect 3, were high, and it seems that BioWare Montreal couldn’t rise to meet the challenge. Its Edmonton branch, however, excited fans at E3 with the announcement of a new game called Anthem. With all the focus on the new project and this recent development for Mass Effect: Andromeda, we can only wonder about the fate of future installments of the popular sci-fi franchise.

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NameMass Effect: Andromeda
TypeRPG, Sci-Fi, Third-Person Shooter
DeveloperBioWare
PublisherEA
PlatformPC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Where To BuyOriginPlayStation StoreXbox StoreAmazonBest BuyTargetWalmartGameStop
Release DateMarch 21, 2017
  • evil_72
    EA Kills yet another Franchise. Why do they buy these companies if they just want to destroy the games the companies make.
    Reply
  • bignastyid
    Well that sucks. Guess they are going to follow in Valves footsteps.
    Reply
  • rantoc
    So yet another EA franchise kill, how many does this make to date? 1 zillion? *slow clap*
    Reply
  • Puiucs
    Profits > Quality
    EA in a nutshell.
    Reply
  • skorpys
    I haven't purchased a single gaming comics, as I want to play the story, not read it. :S
    Reply
  • chuckwells62
    EA Games will successfully continue despite living up to their worst propensities, but yes; they played a huge part in killing the Mass Effect franchise. Bioware also should not be allowed to slide off the hook for having even tried to pass off a game that only had a fraction of the talent necessary to make it better involved. They threw most of their weight into making Anthem and it shows. Andromeda has the chops to go the distance, but the multiplayer only model is now carrying the day. Someone will pick up the ball and run with rpg's again, but if DA4 suffers a similar fate, I will reluctantly kills Bioware goodbye?
    Reply
  • ledhead11
    I know this is a bit off topic but it feels pretty obvious that DICE powered games have become the winning horse for EA. I'd say it's only a matter of time until they liquidate any studio's not using it and either migrate franchises or create new ones to continue using it. I'd also say that most of us have seen how badly space exploration games can fail, from no mans to andromeda it's apparent the resources and skills needed to really pull it off.

    I've been saying for a while now they should just start small, one or two planets and just add over time instead of trying to creating so much at once. The 'let's create the whole universe' approach is more than most can deal with. As a fan of Witcher 3 I loved how it started with a good sized core and each expansion truly grew upon it. Something similar in space could have a much better quality potential.
    Reply
  • coolitic
    I wouldn't call it just EA, BioWare in general has just been garbage in the past few years.
    Reply
  • tamalero
    So.. apart from the bugged mess we got of a game. They kill the support and progress.
    Leaving a ton of unfinished storylines and left us with no answer to most of the plot.

    Good job Bioware!
    You sure have been falling bad thanks to EA by shoving your damn Frostbite everywhere.
    Reply
  • Draxton
    For all the talk about EA killing another studio/franchise, people ignore the fact that the project was mismanaged and went overbudget. Bioware now is in survival mode, if Anthem is not what EA expect in terms of a very healthy return of investment, chances will be very high that Bioware will not continue to exist. I won't blame EA for that, as many already said everywhere, this Bioware lost north and is not the one we fondly remember.
    Reply