'Mass Effect Andromeda' release date, news: New title has some important differences

A promotional image for "Mass Effect: Andromeda"Bioware / EA

BioWare's "Mass Effect: Andromeda" is one of the most highly anticipated games for 2017, but very little is known about it, with only a few snippets of teaser trailers and images ever being released. The developers have now opened up a bit to share a few details regarding the fourth game in the series.

Speaking to Game Informer (via IGN), producer Michael Gamble explained that there would be one major difference from the original "Mass Effect" trilogy. According to Gamble, "Mass Effect: Andromeda" wouldn't necessarily be the start of a new trilogy and that its ending would have a decisive conclusion for the game's plot.

"We want to leave the ending, and what we're doing with it, as a surprise...We can't wait to hear what fans think," he explained.

This was further supported by creative director Mac Walters, who explained that they designed the game to feel complete when the ending has been reached. Walters also stated that it was not the beginning of a new trilogy, although it would open the doors for future installments.

In the interview, the developers also shared some spoilers. "Mass Effect: Andromeda" is indeed set after the ending of "Mass Effect 3," but gamers who have not played the original trilogy will not get lost as the new game was written with newcomers and veteran players alike.

It was stated that the story revolves around the "Andromeda Initiative" in which four large Arks are sent to the Andromeda Galaxy. Each Ark carries with it an alien race, and one of them houses the human race. Unfortunately, the human Ark loses connection with the others and with the Nexus, a command center sent ahead of the four Arks.

The playable characters, siblings Scott and Sara Ryder, are the children of Alec Ryder, and they are called the Pathfinders. These Pathfinders are the guides and commanders to help the Arks reach their destination in the Andromeda Galaxy.

"Mass Effect: Andromeda" will be released in Spring 2017 for the Xbox One, PC, and PS4.