Mass Effectseries producer Michael Gamble talks about the potential of a Nintendo Switch port for the upcoming science-fiction RPGMass Effect: Andromeda.
With Nintendo Switch set to launch in just a few months, fans have been wondering which major third party releases will make their way to Nintendo’s new console. So far, it seems as though many major publishers are playing it safe when it comes to the Switch, taking a wait-and-see approach before throwing support behind the system. BioWare and Electronic Arts are among the companies that are cautious about investing resources into Switch development, asMass Effect: Andromedais not currently in development for the console.
Speaking withStevivor,Mass Effectseries producer Michael Gamble confirmed that there are no plans to bringMass Effect: Andromedato the Nintendo Switch at the moment. However, Gamble did say that if there is enough demand for the newMass Effecton the Switch, then BioWare may change its tune in the future.
“We’re not planning on it. If the Switch launches and everyone’s just yammering forMass Effect, who knows.”
All things considered, fans shouldn’t be too surprised to learn thatMass Effect: Andromedaisn’t coming to Switch. After all,Wii U was a flopcompared to its predecessor, and by extension, many of its games didn’t perform well. It seems likely that theMass Effect 3Wii U port didn’t meet sales expectations, otherwise EA and BioWare may be more willing to move forward with a Switch port ofMass Effect: Andromeda.
Gamble confirming thatMass Effect: Andromedais not in active development for Nintendo Switch corroborates previous reports that it is indeedskipping the Switch, along with other major third party games, likeRed Dead Redemption 2. As one of themost anticipated games of 2017for many,Mass Effect: Andromeda’s absence could deliver a serious blow to consumer interest in Nintendo’s new system.
And ifMass Effect: Andromedaisn’t coming to the Switch, then futureMass Effectgames seem even less likely to make their way to the console.Mass Effect: Andromedaisn’t the start of a new trilogy, butfans have been told to keep their savesnevertheless, hinting that elements of the narrative will carry over into the next game. If Switch owners can’t startCommander Ryder’s storyfrom the beginning, then it stands to reason that many wouldn’t pick upAndromeda’s sequel on Switch, giving EA even less reasons to bring futureMass Effectgames to the console.
It’s unfortunate for Nintendo thatMass Effect: Andromedaisn’t coming to the Switch, but hopefully the console’s other third party games will make up for it. As one of the biggest games of 2017, though, it’s hard to deny that Switch would have benefited from havingMass Effect: Andromedaas part of its games library.
Mass Effect: Andromedawill release in 2017 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
