Mass Effect: Andromeda marketing survey leaks

An EA marketing survey detailing Mass Effect: Andromeda has leaked online.

The questionnaire provides facts about BioWare's upcoming space shooter sequel, then asks how likely it is you would buy the game after hearing them.

Here's the opening blurb:

"Mass Effect: Andromeda takes players to the Andromeda galaxy, far beyond the Milky Way, where players will lead the fight for a new home in hostile territory - where WE are the aliens - opposed by a deadly indigenous race bent on stopping us.

"Experience the freedom to traverse and explore a planet-dense but seamless open-world galaxy, rich with discovery. Play as the leader of a squad of military-trained experts in an intense third-person shooter, with deep progression and customisation systems.

"This is the story of humanity's next chapter, and player choices throughout the game will ultimately determine our survival in the Andromeda galaxy."

Let's take a closer look at each paragraph.

This is the first time BioWare has put the influence on humans being aliens, rather than them being the upstart race in Mass Effect's original trilogy. It's not the first time we've heard Andromeda will feature a new alien enemy, although this suggests they really have it in for us.

Seamless exploration backs up previous suggestions that you will now be able to pilot your ship around the galaxy map, select a planet to land on, and drop down to the surface with as few obstacles as possible (there will probably still be a screen to select your squad and load-out).

The final paragraph suggests the game will be set firmly after the original trilogy (this is to be expected, but some thought the story could overlap that of Mass Effect 1-3). Finally, there's some mention of the stakes - could the game end with the possibility that humanity could fail in its colonisation? (Probably not, knowing BioWare's typical story set-up, although your amount of success could well influence future games).

The survey provides one other bit of flavour text for the game, too:

"There is a major battle brewing, and it awaits you. It is unfolding across a galaxy of planets, with creatures and species entirely unknown. Draw your weapon, because the fight is bigger than you thought. It's not just for your own life, it's for all humanity - the ultimate battle for a place we can all call home."

It's an interesting concept - humanity turning up and being the invading force rather than the race being invaded. That's not to say humanity is going to be the new Reapers - previous leaks have suggested humans are going to be joined in Andromeda by many of the other Milky Way races - krogan, salarian, turian, asari - all of whom are pretty benevolent.

From what we've heard, Andromeda is home to two major races. One appears to be good, one appears... not good. An earlier, far more detailed marketing survey leak, named these as the Remnant and the Khet.

It's going to be a long wait until Mass Effect: Andromeda's release, which is currently scheduled for spring 2017.

But news on the game is starting to pick up - we recently got our best look yet at Mass Effect Andromeda's main character, titled as the Pathfinder.

Thoughts now turn to E3, where we expect Mass Effect: Andromeda to star.