Mass Effect Fans Get Tease of Next Game on Turbulent N7 Day
Mass Effect fans eagerly anticipate November 7th each year as N7 Day, a celebration of the beloved game series. However, this year’s N7 Day comes at a challenging time for BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect, as it faces layoffs, a lawsuit, and employee protests. Despite the turmoil, BioWare decided to mark the occasion by dropping a teaser for the next installment of Mass Effect.
The teaser, shared on EA’s website and the Mass Effect YouTube channel, consists of a short five-second video titled “N7 Day 2023 | EPSILON,” accompanied by a countdown with the label “Access Code: Epilson.” While the video only shows someone’s boots, keen-eyed fans noticed the familiar N7 colors on them, hinting at a connection to the iconic Mass Effect series.
The countdown description further added to the intrigue, mentioning “SECONDARY ENCRYPTION DETECTED,” “ANDROMEDA DISTRESS SIGNAL DETECTED,” and an audio transcript from last year’s N7 Day teaser featuring Liara T’Soni expressing defiance against those underestimating human strength.
Although the teaser doesn’t reveal much, it has still sparked excitement among fans who are eager to learn more about the next Mass Effect game. However, the teaser’s release aligns with ongoing controversy surrounding BioWare, as a group of laid-off developers sues the company for better severance terms.
In August, BioWare laid off 50 roles, leading to a lawsuit filed by seven former employees demanding improved severance packages. The disgruntled developers claim that BioWare’s lawyers have refused to negotiate or reach a settlement, adding that the process has been lacking empathy, respect, and effective communication.
The lawsuit centers around the argument that the terminated employees should receive 1.7 months of severance pay for each year of service, in contrast to the current arrangement of two weeks per year. BioWare’s counsel, R. Alex Kennedy, asserts that the contractual provision regulating severance pay is unenforceable.
Adding to the tension, quality assurance testers from Keywords Studios, who were laid off while working on Dragon Age: Dreadwolf earlier this year, will be staging a protest outside BioWare’s Edmonton headquarters. BioWare terminated its contract with Keywords Studios in October, and the union representing the testers accuses the company of union-busting tactics.
EA and BioWare attempted to block the protest by appealing to the Alberta Labour Relations Board, arguing that the issue should be resolved between Keywords Studios and the laid-off employees. However, the board ruled in favor of the union, allowing the protest to proceed.
As Mass Effect and BioWare fans navigate this complex N7 Day, it remains uncertain how the studio will address the ongoing challenges it faces. Nevertheless, enthusiasts eagerly await further updates on the mysterious next chapter of the beloved Mass Effect series.
Headlines:
1. Mass Effect Teaser Unveiled on Turbulent N7 Day
2. BioWare Faces Lawsuit and Protests Amidst Tease for Next Mass Effect Game
Key Points:
– BioWare releases a brief teaser video for the upcoming Mass Effect game on N7 Day.
– Countdown description hints at potential storyline elements related to a distress signal from the Andromeda galaxy.
– Laid-off BioWare developers sue the company for improved severance terms.
– Dispute centers around the severance pay provision, with developers seeking 1.7 months per year of service.
– Quality assurance testers from Keywords Studios protest BioWare’s termination of their contract during the development of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.
– BioWare attempts to halt the protest but is unsuccessful as the Alberta Labour Relations Board rules in favor of the union.
Bold Important Words:
– Mass Effect fans eagerly anticipate N7 Day each year.
– BioWare faces layoffs, a lawsuit, and employee protests.
– Teaser for the next Mass Effect game sparks excitement.
– Laid-off developers sue BioWare for better severance terms.
– Controversy arises over the enforceability of severance pay provisions.
– Quality assurance testers protest BioWare’s contract termination.
– Uncertain future awaits BioWare on this challenging N7 Day.