With the newest game in the Mass Effect saga set for launch early next year, questions from the original trilogy still remain. These questions only intensified once it became known that Mass Effect: Andromeda is not a direct continuation of the original Mass Effect Trilogy. To alleviate these concerns, four separate novels have been commissioned by the book publisher Titan Books, with the first novel by Fantasy and Science Fiction writer N.K. Jemisin, who is the author of the Inheritance Trilogy. The book is to be published this coming August.
That novel, which is entitled Mass Effect: Andromeda Initiative, is estimated to be around 336 pages and will "... act as prequel and sequels to the events in the games and will become part of the overarching Mass Effect saga." The publisher also elucidates that the focus of the novels will be on 'key characters' and will answer the 'many' questions that fans of the series have had since the conclusion of the trilogy.
With the release of the newest Mass Effect game next March, two of the four books will be out by around the time the next game launches, with the second book to be released this upcoming March. The next two books will be released in September 2017 and March 2018 respectively, with the last book being written by Mass Effect: Andromeda creative director Mac Walters.
Quick Take:
Given that there only is so much time and resources that can be utilized in creating a video game, this decision makes a degree of sense, but only if the books are not vital to understanding the plot of the next series of Mass Effect games. Hopefully, the promised revelations are not only relegated to the books, as if not there may be a very confused gaming-only audience come early next year.
What do you think of reading novels to see your questions answered? Are you likely to purchase them? Let us know in the comments!
