Mass Effect: Andromeda takes place in a different galaxy — obviously, given the name — and decisions made in the original trilogy won’t affect the new game. However, the Andromeda galaxy is 2.5 million light years from Earth, meaning that even with handwavey sci-fi faster-than-light travel, it’s going to take a lot of time for the races of the Milky Way to get there. So, BioWare is commissioning four new tie-in novels which fill in the gaps between when the original trilogy ends and Andromeda begins.
Publisher Titan Books gives the name as ‘Initiative’ but the cover says ‘Initiation’ so *SHRUG*
“The novels will act as prequel and sequels to the events in the games and will become part of the overarching Mass Effect saga. They will focus on key characters and answer the many questions fans have been asking,” says publisher Titan Books.
The first of these is due out this August, with Hugo and Nebula winner N.K. Jemisin serving as author. Based on a thumbnail image of its cover (left) in Titan’s upcoming publications guide, the title is likely to be Mass Effect: Andromeda Initiative (or Initiation — one of those). Authors for the second and third books — due out in 2017 — are unknown, but the author for the fourth and final book is given as Mac Walters, lead author on Mass Effect 3.
Tie-in media for science fiction series can run the gamut from great to terrible, but in general BioWare’s novels have been handled by the games’ writers and are modestly well-regarded. There’s reason to expect these will be of similar quality, albeit mostly of interest to existing fans.
(h/t Eurogamer.)
