BioWare Edmonton and Montreal GM Aaron Flynn is adamant the upcoming "Mass Effect" title will not be a sequel to the original trilogy.
During an interview with Game Trailers (via EuroGamer), Flynn couldn't elaborate about the studio's plans for the franchise, but did say they have a "really cool idea" for the next title.
"I can't get into that too much. We've got a really cool idea for how we're going to carry on - keep the trilogy separate but at the same time give a bunch of nods to fans who enjoyed the trilogy in the past," Flynn said. "That's all going to come out soon."
However, Flynn did confirm Game Trailers races from the original trilogy such as Krogans will return to the franchise. BioWare made an appearance at E3 2014 showing off prototypes for possible gameplay.
"Some conceptual prototype footage showed a series of brief glimpses into the new part of the universe, with the environments appearing war torn--a stark contrast from many of the clean, angular corridors from the original trilogy," GameSpot reports. "Hudson also reiterated that BioWare Montreal was designing Mass Effect 4, whereas the Edmonton studio was creating the entirely new IP."
Flynn added in the E3 footage the next game is a "chance to have a clean sheet of design to start at the most fundamental set of principles you can have." Hudson claimed it is also an opportunity for the studio to add "contemporary stories" to the hit franchise. The developers also claimed the upcoming title will contain new universes and characters.
"We think fans of the series are going to be surprised at just how far we're going," BioWare said at the end of their E3 teaser.
The studio has yet to confirm a release date for the untitled "Mass Effect 4" title.
