‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’ Release Date, News & Update: Initial Release Date Possibly Leaked, Ryder Protagonist Changeable Default Name Confirmed, Announcement Incoming

The news cauldron for "Mass Effect: Andromeda" has once again been stirred, with new updates suggesting that the release date for BioWare's next installment in the "Mass Effect" series may have been leaked and a developer confirming that the game's main playable protagonists will indeed have default names that players can change at their leisure.

It is already known that "Mass Effect: Andromeda" will continue the trend of the series of featuring a human main playable protagonist, with full customizable gender and other physical features. Taking over from Commander Shepard for "Mass Effect: Andromeda," the new main protagonist will have the last name Ryder and both male and female versions are present in-game as siblings.

Now, Gamingbolt reports that "Mass Effect: Andromeda" will indeed have a default name for both Ryder siblings and it will be announced sometime in the future. The information came from a response by BioWare creative director Mac Walters to a fan question on Twitter; Walters was asked if there was going to be an announcement for the Ryder siblings' first names, which Walters confirmed and added that they will be changeable.

In the original Commander Shepard trilogy, the default version of the main character was that of a male with the name John featuring the Earthborn and the Sole Survivor background profile while the default name for the female version was Jane. For "Mass Effect: Andromeda," as both versions are present in the game as siblings, it can be presumed that their names will follow a similar naming theme.

Other news for "Mass Effect: Andromeda" claims that the release date for the game has finally been leaked. YouTube channel BioFan uploaded a video claiming that "Mass Effect: Andromeda" will most likely release in March 21, 2017, citing information shared on Sunshine-ita's Tumblr.

Sunshine-ita cited a listing on Book Manager, a distribution site, where details for the art book for "Mass Effect: Andromeda" were released, although only registered bookstore owners may see the listing.  However, a screenshot of the page indeed shows a March 21, 2017 release date for the art book.

BioFan suggests the March 21 release date for "Mass Effect: Andromeda" is highly possible based on a combination of other information: BioWare previously released "Dragon Age: Inquisition" and the companion art book at the same time, BioWare parent company EA investor reports also strongly indicate the month for the release date, in addition to the game's placeholder posting in certain retailer sites.