BioWare Montreal absorbed by EA Motive. Mass Effect IP returns to Edmonton

I find it equally entertaining when some people are unable to comprehend the possibility that Andromeda didn't crash and burn. I mean, EA said in their latest investor report that it was "a significant contributor", and have previously stated they're happy with it, and the little evidence we have of sales suggests that it met expectations. And yet, still a few people insist Andromeda failed massively because someone on youtube said so.

So don't worry, there's plenty to laugh at on all sides...

Which is a great thing. DLC is coming. It's the fact that they're consolidating forces into Edmonton and linked to Austin. It's also great that Montreal no longer has to hear about Andromeda and move on to the new IP. It's a shame, whatever studio produced Andromeda in the last 20 months deserves a lot of love. This is a title that can stand on its own two feet, but a tad shorter than the rest because of the miserable launch and the story changing in scope. I see the missed potential in the game and it's make a lot more sense now. It's still a shame. However, moving forward, I think marketing and PR are working in the right direction again. There are still plenty of long-term problems that still need to be addressed as long-term solutions. Maybe Pre-Ordering DLC is not a bad idea. I just wish EA wouldn't mess up buyer's confidence and fans patience with their past marketing and pricing schemes. I see change. Good stuff. It would be great to hear Flynn will return after some time passes and is not recruited into the competition. That's my perspective from the outside looking in. Also, what is this new IP? Tell me it's MVP Baseball... please... I can dream, yo.

Do you have any evidence for a "huge drop off in sales"?

I think the goalposts of "expecting dlc" and "not expecting dlc" are fairly inflexible. Since Bioware have said nothing to change anyone's mind either way, there really hasn't been much opportunity to move any goalposts. Although those who are decidedly against Andromeda have managed to move their goalposts so much I'm not even sure where they are anymore. They've gone from hurling abuse at devs because "SJWs", to now trying to convince themselves that when EA says something they really mean the opposite. And being fooled by a scam certainly didn't do some people any favours...

To be clear, I'm not saying skepticism over any dlc isn't justified. Indeed, there is evidence to suggest it isn't coming, just as there is evidence to suggest it still might. But as you say, time is running out either way... 

100% this. As much as I'd like to see DLC, there is no solid evidence for development or cancellation either way and taking a stance on whether something is happening that you have no insight into or control over is fundamentally silly.

Until we know for sure the jury is out.
If the answer turns out to be no, I'll be sad momentarily then will move on to the next concern with acceptance.

In the meantime, I prefer my glass half-full.

That may be the case if you're counting total units sold for one game.  But if you're comparing two games they're both playing by the same rules, neither is having digital sales counted.  If you're using the same methodology for everyone you can do comparisons.

Me too. Much better way to look at things.

Not necessarily. Horizon was a PS4 exclusive, and Zelda was a Nintendo exclusive. The main point being both were console exclusives, while MEA will have a significant proportion of its sales on PC. And PC has a higher rate of digital purchases than consoles. A quick google suggests about 80% digital on PC, and 20-30% digital on console. So given that a higher percentage of MEA sales will have been digital, that's going to have an impact on the figures.

Note that these are not mutually exclusive positions. ME:A could have earned out and still not be worth making DLC for.