BioWare is finally giving gamers a look at its next Mass Effect, the first entry in a new start for the series, which will be released during the "holiday 2016" season. A preview of the game, Mass Effect: Andromeda, was shown during BioWare's E3 press conference. It appears to have the same sci-fi style and action that players of the original trilogy have come to expect, but the clip it showed took place in a gorgeous world that looked like it was ripped out of a classic Western (but then, you know, warped far into the future). The game takes place in a new galaxy — it should be pretty clear which one — and it's coming to the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
While this is the first real glimpse at Mass Effect: Andromeda, BioWare did tease its existence last year. The studio ran a video of what it called a "conceptual prototype," showing some large and gorgeous worlds. At least in terms of video games, this new entry has been a relatively long time coming. The last entry in the series came out over three years ago, in 2012, and this next installment isn't expected until next year. In that time, the studio has transitioned work on Mass Effect to its younger Montreal branch, while its original location is moving forward with a new property. Former Mass Effect director Casey Hudson has also moved on, but this year's preview probably won't give gamers reason to doubt the changing names.
Above: A "conceptual prototype" of the new Mass Effect, shown at last year's E3.