Kotaku - Sources: Mass Effect: Andromeda Will Not Get Single-Player DLC

I also remember when Descent and Trespasser would not be on all consoles. Ouch!

This is a business. DAI sold really well, REALLY well and even got GOTY and high review scores. Considering the success of DAI, EA probably expected MEA to match DAI's success or even surpass it, but it did neither. Was it a failure? No, but you cannot honestly say with a straight face that EA expected low 70s review scores. You cannot say with a straight face that EA expected MEA to have first week sales lower than ME3's first week sales. Those are facts. Also you have to consider all the money that EA put into the development/marketing of MEA and consider if they met their internal expectations.

Case in point, in the first conference call with investors after the launch of MEA, Mass Effect: Andromeda was NEVER mentioned in the official statement. The only mention of MEA came when an analyst, Mike Hickey, asked a question regarding if the negative scores and reception of MEA will affect it's future and this is what EA responded with:


"Mass Effect [Andromeda] is an interesting title; it was in development for a really long time and represented a lot of the great things that BioWare is known for: story, size, depth, breadth, imagination. And while overall the aggregate review scores were lower than we would have liked, we did have over 100 reviewers score the game at 80 or higher. So it represents a fanbase that's very passionate, that's looking for very particular things, and many players found exactly what they're looking for, and some players did not. We're very happy with how Bioware is doing, how Bioware is treating Mass Effect. And our expectations for Mass Effect are still strong for the future and the franchise overall."

Now you can read that how you want but you still have to consider that the ONLY reason why MEA was mentioned was cause someone brought it up. Had Mike Hickey never asked the question, the entire earnings call would have been without a MEA mention which is VERY telling. Now compare that response to what EA said about DAI in the first earnings call after DAI's launch:

"Dragon Age: Inquisition captivated fans and critics worldwide as it launched in November, and it quickly became the most successful launch in BioWare history. More than 113 million hours have already been spent exploring the depth and detail of the single-player experience in Dragon Age: Inquisition, and more players are joining each day. Named “Game of the Year” by 32 media outlets around the world, including IGN, Game Informer and the Associated Press, Dragon Age: Inquisition is a true masterpiece from the team at BioWare and a game that is sure to be played for a long time to come."


The difference in tone is obvious....

Yeah you can't compare them. If anything MEA should be compared to ME1, not the 3rd game in a popular franchise. However it does't matter what was said then. The outcry for story DLC is huge on Twitter right now, and since they responded to the Jaal thing, they will likely respond to this too. They do listen to the fans.

Right now people basing impressions on 4 months ago is as bad as posting images of the animations from 4 months ago. Both have changed.

And thats a great point because since 2007, it was Mass Effect that was the "favorite child" of Bioware and their go to game. BG/NWN is what got their foot in the door, KOTOR is what made them famous, but ME1 in 2007 is what really put Bioware on top as the gold standard for WRPGs an and cinematic interactive dialog that games like Horizon, Fallout 4, and Deus Ex: Human Revolution and many other games emulated. So for MEA not bring anything to the table, especially after the success of DAI is just sad. 

Then why did it take for EA the need for a question to be asked before they mentioned MEA? Again, like I said, had that question never been asked, MEA would have never been mentioned.

*dons tinfoil hat and starts up an Alex Jones/Scientology broadcast*  

I don't care, it's fake news!   It's all subjective!

*raises hand* I expected MEA to have lower first week sales than ME3. I paid attention to the forums and I knew how many fans were still supremely upset about ME3. Certain elements of the fanbase have managed to take the outcome of a video game personally, and honestly, if EA and Bioware have decided that it's better to just part ways, then I can't blame them, especially after the initial mockery of Andromeda.

And yes, I know this is business, but EA/Bioware would do well to think about the optics of abandoning a game with such a loyal following. They could garner a lot of goodwill by releasing a strong DLC.

In favor of:
- Met and possibly exceeded sales expectations
- Continuing to expand the universe by releasing books and other ephemera
- Loyal fanbase

Opposed:
- Memes

I think the case to proceed with a DLC is stronger, but I also don't know the internal numbers.

Actually ME:A is mentioned in the prepared statements, which comes before the investor Q&A.

Source? I don't disbelieve you, but I'd like to read them myself.

I saw it. That's damn good for MEA!