Archetype Entertainment BioWare Veterans Focus On Exodus Release While Saving Ambitious Design Ideas For Future Sequels
More than two decades on, the Mass Effect series incredible impact on the world of games still serves as the ultimate benchmark when it comes to narrative driven science fiction RPGs. One group of people attempting to replicate the Mass Effect spirit, are a number of BioWare veterans currently working with Archetype Entertainment on their first project, Exodus. However, while this team is currently working hard to get a polished first title off the ground, they have since confirmed that certain, ambitious game design ideas, were saved for a potential follow up.
During an in depth discussion with publication GamesRadar+, three of the key figures behind the project spoke about the harsh realities of building a new studio. The conversation, which included Archetype Entertainment founder Chad Robertson, game director Chris King, and lead writer Drew Karpyshyn, highlighted how although their vision for the project was huge, the practical realities of developing a studio and a game from scratch necessitated scaling down the scope of their first game.
Indeed, King confirmed that he and the team had to condense their ideas, as the team also considered putting aside a number of unique ideas that included fully realized, companion weaponry with the capacity for speech. King insists, however that the original vision behind Exodus remains intact
"As a veteran of many new franchise launches I can honestly tell you it usually only is in the sequel that you get to deliver on what you originally intended so I would love nothing more than to be able to make a sequel"
The lead writer went on to state how he knows Exodus will "be a great game that I am proud of" despite having "saved many ideas to be included in the future".
It is hard to say if this future for Exodus was in any way encouraging, or discouraging, to Mr. Robertson; building a new game, team and studio from scratch is not without its challenges, but a lack of a release date is currently the only tangible challenge facing the developers. Indeed, the three spoke at length about the great potential that exists for the future of the intellectual property and stressed that, from Karpyshyn point of view, their only focus is on ensuring Exodus leaves its own indelible mark on the world.
"If Exodus becomes part of the cultural conversation, and if that word alone starts to make people think of the game we created, that will be a point of pride for me."
The release of the action RPG does not yet have a firm release date, however, Archetype Entertainment is looking to wrap up production and release the title on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
