BioWare looks to have a full production schedule ahead in 2022, but fans are probably going to have to wait for further developments about the next Mass Effect and Dragon Age games. Sequels for both of BioWare’s hit RPG franchises have been confirmed, with Dragon Age 4 being announced back in 2018 and Mass Effect 4 being shown off at The Game Awards 2020 livestream. Dragon Age 4’s Gamescom 2020 trailer confirmed its official working title and offered glimpses of recurring characters like Solas Dorian Pavus, while the Mass Effect 4 teaser hinted at a return to the original Mass Effect trilogy's Milky Way galaxy and the reemergence of fan-favorite squadmate Liara T'Soni.
Official details regarding Dragon Age 4 and Mass Effect 4 have been few and far between, but there have been plenty of insider rumors surrounding the production process behind these highly-anticipated titles. Dragon Age 4 seems to be the one that’s farther along in development, as these insiders claim that BioWare’s medieval RPG is on track for a release in late 2023. Meanwhile, BioWare is said to be developing Mass Effect 4 using Unreal Engine, and while it hasn’t been confirmed that series protagonist Commander Shepard will be returning for this latest installment, both Shepard voice actors have expressed interest in coming back for the next Mass Effect.
They might be waiting a while though, as a recent update from BioWare reveals that while the developer is hard at work with Dragon Age 4 and Mass Effect 4, neither one will be ready to release anytime soon. Dragon Age 4 is currently in the Production phase - meaning that that team is currently done with the pre-production “blueprint” and is working on building character models, in-game environments, and more. This team consists of veteran BioWare developers like Production Director Mac Walters, Game Director Corrine Busche, and Director of Product Development, Benoit Houle - all of whom have worked on past Dragon Age games. Meanwhile, Mass Effect 4 project director Mike Gamble is leading a team of BioWare veterans and newcomers alike in “prototyping new ideas and experiences” for the next Mass Effect title.
Not everyone will be returning for these new BioWare titles, as longtime Executive Producer Christian Dailey recently announced that he is leaving BioWare after nearly four years. He has also noted that neither Dragon Age 4 nor Mass Effect 4 are coming out this year or are even approaching a playable build, with most of BioWare’s plans for 2022 involving promotional blogs and social content. However, he would later reiterate that Dragon Age 4’s development team is “killing it,” and that he can’t wait to see what they show later in the year.
Both Dragon Age and Mass Effect have been largely absent over the past few years, with Dragon Age: Inquisition coming out in 2014 and Mass Effect: Andromeda seeing release in 2017. However, the Mass Effect series has regained a wave of new interest since last year’s Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, which remastered the first three Mass Effect games and surpassed even EA’s sales predictions. Some of BioWare’s other projects for 2022 include continued support for Star Wars: The Old Republic, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.
It seems that fans could be excited to return to the worlds of Dragon Age and Mass Effect, and BioWare has promised plenty of new developments as 2022 goes on. However, it might still be a while before players can jump into Dragon Age 4 and Mass Effect 4, as the development teams appear to still have quite a bit of work ahead of them.
Source: BioWare, Christian Dailey/Twitter