'Mass Effect: Andromeda' release date, news: BioWare producer talks about game's theme; new footage to debut at Game Awards 2016

A promotional image for "Mass Effect: Andromeda." BioWare/EA

"Mass Effect: Andromeda" is gearing up to make its debut on PlayStation 4, PC and Xbox One next year, and ahead of the game's launch, more details about the upcoming title have been revealed as BioWare Montreal producer Michael Gamble recently talked about the game's theme.

Speaking with OPM U.K. (via PlayStation Universe), Gamble said that "Andromeda's" central theme is about galactic exploration.

"It's much like modern-day Elon Musk-ism, which is: 'I wonder if we can get here? I wonder if we can do that?'" said the game producer. "Andromeda is a human story, but much like on Earth where we can have people from all walks of life join these expeditions, the same thing happens in the Milky Way — all different types of races join this expedition, and we do it as one concerted effort as opposed to separate people doing separate things."

Gamble added that in the story, everyone bands together because they know that it won't be easy to find ways to survive on a strange planet, and the common goal is to find another place to live.

"Mass Effect: Andromeda" is set 600 years after the events of the original "Mass Effect" gaming franchise, so fans will get to play as new characters in the upcoming title. Players will play as either one of the Ryder siblings, Scott or Sara, as they search the Andromeda galaxy in hopes of finding a new planet fit for habitation. The siblings are the first humans in the Andromeda galaxy, alongside three other arks which likely contain other races and species from the Milky Way.

The "Mass Effect" official Twitter page recently announced that fans will get a first look at "Mass Effect: Andromeda" gameplay at The Game Awards on Dec. 1. The game is slated for release on Xbox One, PC and PlayStation 4 in March 2017.

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