'Mass Effect 4: Andromeda' release date 2016: players demand for changes, Bioware producer says

The release date of Bioware's action role-playing shooter game "Mass Effect 4: Andromeda" is bumped a little behind the schedule. From the first target release date of last quarter of 2016, "Mass Effect" fans may have to wait a little longer until the game's new expected launching sometime in the first quarter of 2017

Electronic Arts chief financial officer Blake Jorgensen revealed at a Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference that the pre-Christmas 2016 release of "Mass Effect 4: Andromeda" will not push through, and it will not be launched until the company's Q4. As reported in the Game Radar website, the company has the end of Q3 in December so Q4 would mean a January to March timeframe.

As quoted on Neogaf, Jorgenson said that "Mass Effect 4: Andromeda" will be released no matter what delay is to happen as he also confirmed other video games such as Titanfall 2 and Battlefield 5 for launching before Christmas this year.

One of the existing theories explaining the cause of delay is the number of Bioware employees leaving the company. However, Bioware went ahead to refute any speculations regarding the "Mass Effect" sequel's delay. In a report from Crossmap, Bioware producer Michael Gamble revealed that they are planning additional features in the upcoming game such as new maps and new characters, and all these are upon the request of the players as the company intends to listen to these requests.

One reported change in the game is that the main character for "Mass Effect 4: Andromeda" will be fully customizable, as was shown in the "Andromeda" trailer released in E3 2015 where the character was seen wearing the N7.

Aside from the players, another change in the game is the players being able to pilot the Mako or the six wheeler vehicle introduced in the first "Mass Effect." In the upcoming sequel, Mako is reportedly the main mode of transportation throughout the gameplay. 

"We're playing around with a bunch of different physics for the Mako. The thing that we have to do is make sure it's as responsive as possible. We've learned a thing or two over the years. In terms of customization, it's been something that we've been looking at for sure, because we feel as though if you're going to be spending a lot of time in vehicles in places, they should reflect you as a player," Gamble told The Escapist in an interview as he described the changes in Mako.