Mass Effect: Andromeda Producer Talks Switch Port
By Dalton Cooper 31 December 2016
Mass Effect series producer Michael Gamble talks about the potential of a Nintendo Switch port for the upcoming science-fiction RPG Mass 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, as Mass Effect: Andromeda is not currently in development for the console.
Speaking with Stevivor, Mass Effect series producer Michael Gamble confirmed that there are no plans to bring Mass Effect: Andromeda to the Nintendo Switch at the moment. However, Gamble did say that if there is enough demand for the new Mass Effect on 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 for Mass Effect, who knows.”
All things considered, fans shouldn’t be too surprised to learn that Mass Effect: Andromeda isn’t coming to Switch. After all, Wii U was a flop compared to its predecessor, and by extension, many of its games didn’t perform well. It seems likely that the Mass Effect 3 Wii U port didn’t meet sales expectations, otherwise EA and BioWare may be more willing to move forward with a Switch port of Mass Effect: Andromeda.
Gamble confirming that Mass Effect: Andromeda is not in active development for Nintendo Switch corroborates previous reports that it is indeed skipping the Switch, along with other major third party games, like Red Dead Redemption 2. As one of the most anticipated games of 2017 for many, Mass Effect: Andromeda‘s absence could deliver a serious blow to consumer interest in Nintendo’s new system.
And if Mass Effect: Andromeda isn’t coming to the Switch, then future Mass Effect games seem even less likely to make their way to the console. Mass Effect: Andromeda isn’t the start of a new trilogy, but fans have been told to keep their saves nevertheless, hinting that elements of the narrative will carry over into the next game. If Switch owners can’t start Commander Ryder’s story from the beginning, then it stands to reason that many wouldn’t pick up Andromeda‘s sequel on Switch, giving EA even less reasons to bring future Mass Effect games to the console.
It’s unfortunate for Nintendo that Mass Effect: Andromeda isn’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 having Mass Effect: Andromeda as part of its games library.
Mass Effect: Andromeda will release in 2017 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
