New ‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’ Artwork Provides More Clues About The Game’s Story

Each year, BioWare takes the time to celebrate and remember their popular Mass Effect franchise on what the developer and fans have dubbed N7 Day. Continuing this tradition over the weekend, the team behind one of gaming’s most well-known sci-fi series once again gave their thanks to the community that supports them while sharing their own thoughts on exactly what working on Mass Effect has meant for them.

While most of the day focused on remembering the original Mass Effect trilogy, the developer did offer a few brief teases for the series’ upcoming fourth installment. To begin with, BioWare properly kicked off this year’s N7 Day celebration by releasing a new trailer for Mass Effect: Andromeda that helps bridge the gap between the original Commander Shepard storyline and the new narrative of the upcoming sequel.

Giving fans another hint of the story behind Mass Effect: Andromeda, BioWare also released some new marketing artwork for the game over the weekend. Since the franchise’s next entry will take place inside the Andromeda galaxy, the art reveals that one of the main themes of the game will revolve around exploration. This theme was also heavily depicted throughout the teaser trailer, which featured the voice of Commander Shepard wishing a group of explorers good luck as they set out on a long journey.

The highly stylized artwork was created to resemble classic recruitment posters. The new images were released alongside a fake enlistment message that read, “We’re looking for the daring, the brave, and the adventurous. Be part of a journey filled with mystery, wonder, and excitement. Sign up to be among the first to explore Andromeda.”

It appears that, whatever reasons have led the new Mass Effect game to take place inside another galaxy, the new setting will be filled with explorers and other frontiersman. The poster art seems to suggest that the Andromeda galaxy has still yet to be mapped out and so players might not fully know what awaits them on any given planet.

Along with asking fans to share their best Mass Effect memories, BioWare also released a heart-felt message of what the series has come to mean to them. Even the fact that community members and members of the development team come together each year to honor the series on N7 Day shows how the Mass Effect franchise has touched both fans and creators alike.

“N7 Day is a time when we come together to celebrate with fans how far we’ve come. In the nearly ten years since the release of Mass Effect, we’ve taken an incredible journey together. We’ve made friends, forged alliances, and built stories spanning the far reaches of the Milky Way.”

BioWare also took the time to thank all of the Mass Effect fans around the world. The developer admitted that their continued showing of support for the series is what inspires them to keep making games.

“As we look back on the trilogy, we think of the many amazing things your enthusiasm has created. Beyond the works of art, costumes, songs, stories, and recipes, you’ve built a community. Your passion has formed friendships spanning the globe, brought people together, and inspired a new generation of gamers. It’s the reason you can walk down an unfamiliar street in a strange city, share a knowing nod with someone in an N7 hoodie, and feel at home.”

Mass Effect: Andromeda might take place in a new galaxy when it launches next year on current-gen platforms, but it will still follow a human protagonist. Like with Commander Shepard, players will once again only have the option to take control of a human character in Andromeda. As reported last week by the Inquisitr, BioWare’s Aaryn Flynn revealed that the decision to only allow fans to play as a human protagonist will help connect to character to the human themes presented throughout the game.

What are your thoughts on Mass Effect: Andromeda‘s apparent focus on exploration?

[Image via BioWare Blog]