BioWare boss says Ryder is "awesome," promises animations will be improved

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The Mass Effect: Andromeda lead's facial expressions get another round of criticism.

The Mass Effect: Andromeda gameplay trailer revealed during The Game Awards was polarizing. The nearly-five-minute video showcased some very cool gameplay, and also Sara Ryder's face, which was not-quite-perfectly animated when seen up-close during a heated encounter with a Turian goon.

BioWare said in response to unhappy fans that Andromeda is still a work in progress, but concerns have persisted, as you can see in some of the responses to this tweet out of the official Mass Effect account. 

Clearly not everyone is put off by Ryder's expression, but there was enough negativity to spur BioWare GM Aaryn Flynn to respond yet again, and more forcefully in support of Andromeda's lead character. "Sara Ryder is awesome. Strong, funny, and adventurous," he tweeted. "Sorry there's a facial performance bug that lets her down here. We'll improve it."

Separately, Flynn said that the clip has taken on a disproportionate significance for Mass Effect fans.

Maybe I'm just getting used to it after watching the clip dozens of times over, but the more I look at Ryder's face when she snags the Turian's gun (and this, by the way, is why you never put your gun within arm's reach of the person you're pointing it at), the more her expression strikes me as not so much "wrong" but simply the look of someone who's tired, exasperated, and sick of putting up with guffola from a second-rate flunkie. And isn't that exactly what it should be?

BioWare will reveal new Mass Effect: Andromeda gameplay (and maybe even a fixed face) tomorrow at CES. We'll let you know when it happens.

Andy Chalk
Andy Chalk
US News Lead

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.

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