BioWare's panel will feature a lot of devs talking about the upcoming game

Jul 15, 2014 06:16 GMT  ·  By

Developer BioWare and publisher EA were expected to unveil the next installment in the Mass Effect series this June, during the E3 gaming trade show, which left many disappointed after EA's press conference event failed to even tag a proper name on the upcoming game.

Now it looks like the two companies are aiming to offer their fans some solace during the San Diego Comic-Con, where it's possible that more details on the upcoming game will be revealed.

At the event, Mass Effect developers from BioWare Edmonton and Montreal will be in attendance, taking part in the July 26 panel, which has the following official description:

"Mass Effect developers from the Edmonton and Montreal studios discuss what it's like to expand on a well-established and beloved video game franchise. Panelists Carl Boulay (lead animator), Fabrice Condominas (producer), Mike Gamble (producer), Noel Lukasewich (senior artist), and Jessica Merizan (community manager), share their experiences in shaping the next Mass Effect game with new possibilities while staying true to the critically acclaimed series."

It may not sound like much, and a label saying "the official announcement of Mass Effect 4" would have been a lot more comforting, but the company is known for treating its fans with more info than people actually expect, such as showing off various pieces of concept art and seeking feedback from the live audience.

For now, there is little known on Mass Effect 4, to the point where we're not even certain that it's going to be called that. We have been told that the game is "playable" and that it's around halfway done, with devs who worked on Knights of the Old Republic putting their knowledge and passion to good use.

In addition to that, EA has revealed that the upcoming shooter won't star the series' protagonist so far, Commander Shepard, and will respect the lore of previous games, although fans should also expect some major changes.

The game is said to be built on the same engine as BioWare's upcoming Dragon Age: Inquisition, scheduled to come out on October 7 for PC and old-gen and next-gen consoles, and to share some of the role-playing game's "core systems."

The devs have even gone as far as asking their fans for direct input, through an online survey meant to provide them with valuable feedback that could potentially shape the future Mass Effect game.

The San Diego Comic-Con runs July 24 through July 27, and we'll bring you the news on the upcoming game in the Mass Effect series as soon as it pops up.