BioWare internally discussed remastered Mass Effect games for next-gen consoles

BioWare developers have internally discussed the possibility of bringing the original Mass Effect trilogy to next-gen consoles with remastered editions, according to a tweet from Edmonton and Montreal studios' general manager Aaryn Flynn.

Responding to a fan question on Twitter, Flynn said solid plans for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of 2007's Mass Effect, 2010's Mass Effect 2 and 2012 finale Mass Effect 3 have yet to form, but BioWare will share details when possible.

"We have discussed that internally," Flynn wrote of a trilogy remastery. "If we can put solid plans together we'll share. Great to hear you're keen."

Polygon has reached out to Flynn and BioWare for more details and will share them as they are received.

The original Mass Effect was initially published exclusively to the Xbox 360 and was later ported to Windows PC and PlayStation 3. The sequel was released on PS3, Xbox 360 and Windows PC, while Mass Effect 3 launched on all previous platforms in addition to the Nintendo Wii U. In Nov. 2012, BioWare released a bundle of all three games in the Mass Effect Trilogy Edition for Windows PC and Xbox 360. A PS3 version was released the following month.

The same month BioWare launched the Mass Effect Trilogy bundle, series executive producer Casey Hudson revealed on Twitter that BioWare was already in "early stages of designing a completely new Mass Effect game." Days later, BioWare Montreal studio director Yanick Roy stated the game would be made on the Frostbite Engine, unlike previous titles which were developed on Unreal Engine. Roy also said the team would be taking the franchise in "new directions" in terms of story and gameplay.

In Feb. 2013, Bioware community manager Chris Priestly wrote on the franchise forums that calling the upcoming title Mass Effect 4 is doing the series a "disservice" because the story of Commander Shepard is over. The next game is not a prequel or a sequel to his tale, Priestly wrote. The studio also said the jump to next-gen consoles for future games won't be as resource-intensive as development for PS3 and Xbox 360 because it will not likely need a dramatic increase in staff for development.