Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) will release Mass Effect 4 by March 2016 as part of its initiative for fiscal year growth, renown industry analyst Michael Pachter predicts.

In a new report focused on EA’s plans for growth across the company’s current fiscal year (lasting from April 2015 to March 2016), the Wedbush Securities analyst prognosticates key titles including the next Mass Effect game will be released before the fiscal year’s end.

“EA’s strong presence on the next-gen consoles positions the company to thrive in coming years,” Pachter wrote in the report.

“Fiscal Year 2016 (FY:16) is expected to feature incremental releases Mass Effect 4, Mirror’s Edge 2, a new Need For Speed game, and Star Wars: Battlefront, as well as meaningful re-orders for Battlefield Hardline, which launched in late Q4:15.”

Concept art for the new Mass Effect showcases that sci-fantasy universe that’s rife with adventure and possibility.

Pachter’s predictions have been known for being accurate, making him a trusted industry soothsayer who’s forecasts have come to fruition.

Pachter was one of the many sources that claimed Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) would release Kinect-less Xbox One model, and also contributed to other bold analyses and predictions.

Even still not much is known about the new Mass Effect game, and if EA is indeed planning a March 2016 release, it’d be wise to start launching teasers to build hype and speculation.

BioWare has yet to release any real concrete details about the game other than a few snippets and a formal announcement at E3 2014. As far as visuals, all we’ve seen so far are a few pieces of concept art back from November 2014.

What we do know is that the new Mass Effect title might not be a direct sequel, and that Commander Shepard won’t involved at all. The developers have confirmed that the “Shepard trilogy is over”.

BioWare wants to explore new tangents in the massive universe, and plans to create a brand new story arc for the game, which may or may not be the beginning of a new series.

Mass Effect 4 will run on BioWare’s new Frostbite 3 Engine that powered Dragon Age: Inquisition. Also the Mako will return, and Mass Effect 4 will have multiplayer.

The art beautifully melds the worlds of fantasy and technology, illustrating the very heart of sci-fi.

BioWare community manager Chris Priestly discusses the new game, giving a few clues here and there:

“To call the next game ‘Mass Effect 4′ or ‘ME4′ is doing it a disservice and seems to cause a lot of confusion here.

“We have already said that the Commander Shepard trilogy is over and that the next game will not feature him/her. That is the only detail you have on the game. I see people saying ‘well, they’ll have to pick a canon ending.’

“No, because the game does not have to come after. Or before. Or off to the side. Or with characters you know. Or yaddayaddayadda. Wherever, whenever, whoever, etc will all be revealed years down the road when we actually start talking about it.

“I do not call the game ME4 when I talk about it ever, [because] that makes people think of it more as ‘what happens after ‘Mass Effect 3′ rather than ‘what game happens next set in the ‘Mass Effect’ Universe.

“Obviously fans are going to speculate content, character and story until we actually reveal details in the years or months to come as you have almost no actual details, just don’t get bogged down in ‘well how are they going to continue ME3.”

If this lineup is authentic, then EA’s 2016 fiscal year looks pretty solid. Between the hotly anticipated Star Wars: Battlefront from DICE and a new Mirror’s Edge sequel the publisher will forge the path for its seminal big release of the year: Mass Effect 4.

We’ll likely hear more details over the year about BioWare’s next sci-fi adventure, possibly at E3 2015, and it’ll probably see a release on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

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Since it was announced last year, EA hasn’t revealed very much about the new Star Wars: Battlefront reboot; we’ve gotten a teaser trailer, some concept art, and a Holiday 2015 release window. But that’s all about to change.

Electronic Arts today revealed that they’ll be blowing the lid of off the new Battlefront game during the official Star Wars Celebration held in Anaheim, California this April.

“We’re thrilled to share that Star Wars Battlefront will be taking part in Star Wars Celebration next month in Anaheim, CA from April 16-19.

“We could not think of a better or more appropriate place to debut the game officially for the first time than the premier event that celebrates the Star Wars universe and the legions of fans who have fallen in love with it.”

As for the reveal, we’ll likely see a press conference consisting of gameplay footage (maybe live action), an on-stage breakdown on what to expect from the game itself, and maybe even a finalized release date. DICE may even host a few panels at the event to talk about Battlefront’s development followed up by possible Q&A sessions.

Additionally a recent Tweet from DICE confirms that Battlefront will only be available on next-gen consoles and PC.

@KyleHackley Star Wars Battlefront will be available holiday 2015, on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.

— EAStarWars (@EAStarWars) March 19, 2015

Holding a reveal at the convention is a pretty ingenious tactic, considering everyone who attends the venue are die-hard Jedi fanatics who look forward to more new and unique games set in their beloved universe.

Also the event looks pretty promising seeing as Jedi Knight Mark Hamill, renown princess Carrie Fisher and the Sith Emperor himself Ian McDiarmid will all be in attendance.

J.J. Abrams, the director of The Force Awakens, will also be hosting an exciting early morning panel so we might get a few hints and tidbits about the upcoming movie as well.

Star Wars Battlefront has a tentative release window of Holiday 2015 across PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

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Gaming, sports in particular, is playing well for Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA). Double digits look good on their Wall Street game board. With more than 300 million registered players worldwide, Electronic Arts has its game on scoring a 12.8 surge in share price.

The Sims, Dragon Age, Plants vs. Zombies keep the numbers rising, but Madden NFL is in the spotlight now with the Super Bowl on tap for this weekend. Electronic Arts simulated the game, updating the rosters and showing the Seahawks vs. Patriots on Xbox One. It gives the game to MVP Tom Brady. How can you go against Madden’s impressive predictive record … 8-3 in the last decade, but did the prediction come before or after “deflate-gate”?

EA’s financial picture played out well in fiscal 2014 which pegged net revenue at $3.6 billion for the Redwood City California based gaming company. Quarterly non-GAAP revenues came in at $1,428 million. Mobile gaming scooped up $139 million of revenues overshadowing last year’s figures by 13 percent year over year, pulling in 160 million monthly active users for the quarter.

Chief Financial Officer Blake Jorgensen said: “Our ongoing digital transformation, including live services like EA SPORTS Ultimate Team, coupled with ongoing cost discipline, enables us to deliver consistent cash flow and earnings growth.”  You can add to their cash flow by buying Madden NFL 15 Xbox One at Target for $39.99 on sale.

EA’s GAAP earnings for fiscal year 2015 are expected to be $2.35 per share. Zack’s says EA’s game portfolio, new consoles and a large mobile segment form the basis of this positive outlook.

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Dragon Age: Inquisition is -25% off over at online retailer Amazon.

Amazon’s Gold Box Deal of the Day discounts Dragon Age: Inquisition to a very appealing $44.99, which is a steal for a newly released high-profile AAA game.

The deal is good for all platforms–PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC–and is only available for today only so be sure to snag your copy as soon as possible.

Inquisition has proven to be BioWare’s latest and greatest open-world RPG adventure set in the landmark fantasy series, incorporating an incredible amount in-game content to explore. The developers went so far as to claim that Inquisition will take over 200 hours of playtime to complete, and based on my personal experiences in the game, I’d say this is pretty accurate.

As for the game’s dynamic combat systems, Dragon Age: Inquisition affords a vast amount of strategic and tactical customization.

For more on how to make the ultimate party be sure to check out our skill combos combat guide to find out everything you need to know about spell synergies and what skills are worth picking up.

This one is definitely game of the year material–even after dozens and dozens of hours you’ll still find something new and exciting across your adventures in Thedas. Dragon Age: Inquisition is a must-have for any gaming generation, and for just $44 there’s never been a better time to buy then now.

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This year’s holiday season is huge for gaming, with a swath of AAA blockbuster titles hitting the market within the same two-month launch window. Now the PS4 and Xbox One have an expansive selection of multi-genre titles–from fantasy RPG’s to intergalactic shooters and story-driven parodies–ensuring there’s something for everyone.

With our buying guide we’ll help you navigate the labyrinth of games and select the best games to put under the tree this year, all while balancing your pocketbook–because let’s face it, who has the cash to pick up every game?

Our selection of the top 5 games ranges from a plethora of tastes, making for a positively satisfying brew of varying gameplay dynamics and memorable experiences.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Developer: BioWare
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: Nov. 18, 2014
Platform: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC
Genre: Fantasy RPG
MSRP: $59.99

Dragon Age: Inqusition is BioWare’s triumphant return to the mystical fantasy realm of Thedas, and takes players on a dynamic journey to the heart of adventure itself. The game goes lengths to reinvent the franchise with a host of new features, keeping the same party system along with enthralling combat and a winding, branching storyline.

Players can choose the heroic path they take in the game, and their decisions will resonate throughout the world itself, helping shape the ultimate outcome of their experience.

Inqusition is for the avid and novice RPG fan alike, featuring an expansive webwork of deep roleplaying mechanics that build off of the series’ distinct action-RPG formula. Featuring a plethora of classes, players can build their ultimate team of heroes and deck them out with armor and specifically-tailored skill trees befit any grand role-playing adventure.

With a positively huge singleplayer mode, gamers have their work cut out for them, but the online co-op mode lets players go dungeon crawling with a team of their friends.

The stories are always eye-opening and cinematic in detail and presentation, with a myriad of NPC’s–take Varric, for example–that actually have substance and personality; you actually care if they live or die, and want to know more about them.

All in all Dragon Age: Inquisition is a solid bet for any gamer, as it has such prestigious scope that spans and marries medieval fantasy with tactical RPG action.

It’s the quintessential hero’s journey that’s filled with strategic action and breathtaking vistas befit any otherworldly game of myth and legend, and it looks to be one of the year’s best games.

2. Destiny

Developer: Bungie
Publisher: Activision
Release Date: Sept. 9, 2014
Platform: Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: Shooter, Sci-Fi
MSRP: $59.99

Destiny is a prime example of an over-hyped shooter that faltered under its own weight. The game was supposed to be Bungie’s magnum opus, a game that transcends the realms of online FPS and MMO-style RPG elements. While it’s failed to live up to its dynamic potential, the game is masterfully addictive in all the right ways–but sometimes for the wrong reasons.

The content may be limited in terms of end-game, but Destiny is an action-packed sci-fi romp that’ll take you across the stars and back. The story is weak, but the FPS mechanics are incredibly refined–it’s here that Bungie’s Halo prowess shines forth with light almost brighter than the sun.

Essentially Destiny is an online-only shooter wherein players can team up with random Guardians–that is supersoldiers powered by the Light, a mysterious energy not unlike the Force in Star Wars–to tackle a swath of missions and co-operative content.

There’s also a distinct RPG element in the game that affords for a unique spin on Borderlands-style shoot-and-loot action, complete with a sophisticated style and grace that almost matches Halo in its fluid grace. There are three main classes–Hunter, Warlock and Titan–each with their own varying skill trees that can be tactically used in conjunction with specific gear.

PVP is stellar and proves to be a delightful mix of sentiments old and new, with competitive content rolling out as the weeks go by.

Bungie is committed to making Destiny an expansive playground for would-be Guardians, but don’t expect anything free: the biggest updates will be hidden behind paywalls via Season Passes. Even still, the game offers a smorgasboard of content that’s rich with shooter elements that empower gamers, giving them the tools and arsenal they need to take on dreadful foes like the Hive and the cruel machines of the Vex.

Destiny has proven to be a must-have yearly release despite its shortcomings, and has proven to rank up there with the highest and most popular of games due to its immensely addictive nature. Be sure to check out our official Destiny review for more info on the game.

3. Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor

Developer: Monolith Productions
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
Release Date: Sept. 30, 2014
Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: RPG, Fantasy
MSRP: $59.99

Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor may look like you’r average hack-and-slash action-adventure game, but Monolith has created a fluid dynamism that marries the worlds of stealthy assassinations with all-out sword-slashing bravado.

Set in Tolkien’s landmark eponymous Middle-Earth, this game carries players across a journey through the shadowy realms of Mordor and explores the expansive mythos of the landmark fantasy series.

The game’s combat system perfectly matches skill with suave tactical strategy, making for enthralling and empowering fights. Talion, the game’s protagonist, is infused with the power of the dreaded Wraiths, giving him a substantial edge against the hordes of Uruks spread throughout Mordor.

Talion has a huge armament of abilities and skills at his disposal, encompassing a webwork of talent trees that players can customize to tailor their own otherworldly hero.

Using a combination of weapons like bow and arrow, daggers and swords, Talion channels his inner Wraith–an Elven lord by the name of Celebrimbor–to dispatch evil and use a range of useful abilities.

Shadow of Mordor essentially feels like a cross between Assassin’s Creed and Dynasty Warriors, with a hefty does of RPG aspects like skills and upgradable weapons. But the game it sets itself apart from these games with a truly intuitive and unique mechanic called the Nemesis System.

The Nemesis System allows Talion to mark targets among the massive ranks of Sauron’s army. These marks are bosses of sorts that get harder and rank up if they defeat you in battle, becoming stronger along the way. It’s a sort of predator-vs-prey hunting scheme wherein players can find helpful intel to identify weak points of a boss, which is essential for those higher-tiered baddies.

Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor combines a huge offering of fantastic elements together to make a satisfying brew of fantasy fun, complimented with a perfect blend of RPG and action mechanics to keep things fresh and exciting.

4. Far Cry 4

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release Date: Nov. 18, 2014
Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: Action, Shooter
MSRP: $59.99

Far Cry 4 expands on series’ already-tremendous formula of action-packed chaos. Set in the frosty Himalayan peaks of Kyrat, players are treated to one of the most exotic, sprawling gameworlds of the series to date.

Kyrat is a truly massive open-world achievement in terms of scale and variety, with highlands, lowlands and everything in between, featuring engaging wildlife like snow leopards, stampeding elephants, crashing rhinos, and snarling tigers.

As per tradition, the game’s story pits Ajay Ghale (the specialist badass protagonist) in a region gripped in turmoil and revolution. A terrifyingly cruel–and rather humorously psychotic–dictator named Pagan Min is at the center of the havoc, erupting the region in a brutal and bloody civil war.

The game’s FPS combat is as dynamic as ever, with a smattering of new features like being able to hire mercenaries to fight alongside you. Vehicles have always been an important part of Far Cry, and in the fourth chapter we have the brilliant mini-skycopter to soar the peaks of Kyrat and blast baddies to smithereens.

You can also drive snowmobiles while shooting at rebels and dodging deadly rifts and flying over precipitous cliffs

Then there’s the skysuit. Few games have captured the heart-pounding excitement of gracefully piercing the heavens like a human bullet, but Far Cry 4 hits this mark perfectly.

Ajay also has two skill trees: the Tiger and the Elephant, both of which have a retinue of passive and active abilities to aid in battle. You get to customize Ajay as you see fit–want him to focus more on stealth and defensive measures? Go with the Elephant.

Want him to be a one-man army that shoots first and asks questions later? Then the Tiger tree is right for you.

All in all Far Cry 4 has something for everyone, and packs in pop culture themes from all over. Players feel like Lara Croft or Indiana Jones when they explore exotic ruins for treasures, and channel Rambo when gunning down hordes of baddies.

James Bond makes an appearance when Ajay does some fantastic death-defying stunt in his wingsuit, and Bear Grylls takes down a tiger in the jungle wilderness.

With a truly breathtaking and dynamic open-world environment like Kyrat, the game is a startling reminder of how far video games have come over the years.

You can get lost in the snow-capped mountains or the deep, dense canopies of the jungle, marveling at the cascading waterfalls and crashing elephants–and that’s exactly why this game is a must-buy.

5. Grand Theft Auto V

Developer: Rockstar Games
Publisher: Take-Two Interactive
Release Date: Nov. 18, 2014
Platform: Xbox One, PS4
Genre: Action, Shooter
MSRP: $59.99

The next-gen port of Grand Theft Auto V is Rockstar’s masterpiece. It’s something that gamers have been looking forward to for a while now, and is seen as the true definitive version of the game. If you’ve already played it on last-generation like most of the gaming world, then it might be wise to pass this up unless you want to give it another spin.

Essentially the new GTA V isn’t really new; it’s a re-mastered port. Even still the graphical differences between the old and new release are like night and day, with the next-gen flavor has Los Santos blazing with vivid life.

What makes GTA V so incredible is its cast of characters, the cops-and-robbers heists, and the game’s immersive environments. In terms of scale, accuracy, representation and graphical fidelity, Rockstar has captured lightning in a bottle. The in-game world is so resplendent with photo-realism that it’s uncanny, making it look almost better than real life.

GTA V features a three-man crew rather than the traditional silent one-man protagonist: Michael, the savvy, rich ex-bankrobber who’s having a mid-life crisis of boredom; Franklin, the young gang-banger looking for bigger and better things outside of the hood; and Trevor, a truly unique specimen of pure psychotic brilliance who easily steals the show from the very beginning.

Apart from the main characters and the namesakes of GTA, the game introduces a series of innovative full-scale heists that recreate some pretty impressive robberies. In this respect the game feels like a movie in terms of its scope, and players can choose how they want to pull off the score as well as which heists to take part in.

Then there’s the smattering of side-quests and extras that’ll pull you right in and never let go. While the heists are the main part of the game, each character has their own unique missions and questlines.

Franklin, for example, can invest in the stock market to earn big bucks, and Trevor, an entrepreneur in methamphetamine sales, wreaks havoc on the competition for his trade.

Being able to switch between Michael, Franklin and Trevor on the fly gives gamers the freedom to tackle whatever mission they want in the style they want. You can also beef up each character’s stats via a RPG-like progression system that’s somewhat like GTA: San Andreas.

The next-gen port also brings a first-person mode to combat, transforming Grand Theft Auto into a bona-fide action FPS game for the first time on consoles. This is a pretty heavy transition and affords a whole new style of play, especially for the game’s online component.

Grand Theft Auto Online deserves a nod as well. It’s essentially Rockstar’s open-world MMO-style online adventure where players can join a gang and combat rival gangs in a series of online playlists. These range from deathmatch-style combat to racing and heists, and characters earn points as well as stats to boost their reputation and abilities.

Grand Theft Auto V is a solid choice as capitalizes on fun.

It brings an amazingly entertaining campaign, a host of  side-missions, a trio of unforgettable characters and an engaging online component. The game’s environments are truly remarkable and bring a sense of realism unlike any other GTA game, and paves the way forward for the franchise itself.

Conclusion

These five games are sure-fire winners for the holiday season, and will bring festive delight for any gamer for weeks to come. With a slew of Black Friday deals you can snag any or all of these games at discounted rates, so be sure to check out the deals before you head to the stores.

As for platform choice, most of the games are the same across all consoles, with higher-end PC’s having considerable graphical and performance boosts. In the case of Far Cry 4, though, you should stick with the PS4 variant as it allows friends to try out the game for free.

Then there’s PS4’s exclusive Share Play feature which essentially lets your friends try out your games across the PlayStation Network. Something to keep in mind if you want to try out a game before you buy it, or let a friend do the same.

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Star Wars: Battlefront will be releasing in holiday 2015 and Battlefield 5 will be coming in 2016, Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) has revealed today.

May the Force be with you: Star Wars Battlefront will release for Holiday 2015.

— Electronic Arts (@EA) October 28, 2014

Instead of being a third-person shooter, however, the new Battlefront game will be a first-person shooter. It’s currently being developed by longtime Battlefield-crafter DICE studios.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed the news in a recent investor’s call, with an formal announcement being made on Twitter. The call also affirmed EA’s tradition of releasing annual AAA FPS titles.

Since Battlefront is releasing holiday 2015, Battlefield 5 won’t hit until at least 2016–a move that fits right in line with EA’s planned AAA strategy.

“This (strategy) allows us to have a major first-person shooter title each year,” the EA exec said in the call.

So far Battlefield 5 details are scarce, and we probably won’t learn anything new until next year unless the info gets leaked. At this point it’s not confirmed if DICE will be taking the development mantle for the game, as they skipped over Hardline to tackle Battlefront.

Battlefront, however, is more well-known, and was officially revealed at this year’s E3 (see trailer above). We also have an official description for the upcoming Star Wars shooter straight from DICE that sheds more light on what to expect in the game:

“Fight in epic Star Wars battles on iconic planets and rise through the ranks playing as the heroic Rebellion or the evil galactic Empire.

“Whether fighting through blaster-wielding troops, or piloting your favorite Star Wars combat vehicles like snowspeeders, speeder bikes, and AT–ST’s – Star Wars Battlefront puts you at the center of the galactic conflict!”

EA has also confirmed Battlefield: Hardline for a March 2015 launch following delays earlier in the year. The publisher affirms that the delays will give the studio time to refine the cops-and-robbers shooter to ensure a smooth launch.

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Battlefield: Hardline will release on March 17, 2015 in North America on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC, Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) revealed today.

The Point Blank-style undercover cop shooter had been delayed to 2015 earlier this year by EA after feedback from the game’s Summer beta unearthed various problems. Following Battlefield 4‘s trouble-ridden launch, EA found it pertinent to refine their newest entrant, leading to a next-year delay.

The publisher has affirmed its commitment to making sure Hardline is as smooth-running as possible when it launches.

As for the game’s campaign story, DICE”s Vincent Vukovic summarizes the events with the following:

“In a crime drama filled single player story, Miami is embroiled in a drug war and officer Nick Mendoza has just made detective.

“Alongside his partner, veteran detective Khai Minh Dao, he follows the drug supply chain from the streets to the source. In a series of increasingly off-the-books cases the two detectives come to realize that power and corruption can affect both sides of the law.”

It remains to be seen whether or not EA and DICE can pull off yet another Battlefield splinter in Battlefield: Hardline like they did with Battlefield: Bad Company. They are still planning to continue with the Battlefield franchise with Battlefield 5, even though many people are fairly disappointed with how the game was released in an incredibly buggy manner, so much so that the game was almost unplayable. The reality of the Battlefield franchise is that it used to be the strongest franchise that DICE had under their belt, but it seems as though they’ve tarnished the brand with the Battlefield 4 release debacle. It remains to be seen if Battlefield: Hardline can alleviate some of these concerns of gamers and make them want to come back to the Battlefield franchise. If their current delay is any indication, they clearly want to make sure the game is mostly bug free when it comes out next year.

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With Dragon Age: Inquisition, BioWare is pulling out all the stops.

The team is crafting what looks to be the most epic adventure into the heart of the fantasy franchise, complete with a massive array of content across the sprawling mythical land of Thedas. Inquisition heralds the triumphant return of the hundred-hour plus RPG completion time–something that’s been noticeably scarce in next-gen gaming.

In a recent interview with Polygon, BioWare’s producer Cameron Lee says that Inquisition‘s main story will run about 20 to 40 hours. This window is traditionally the timeframe needed for the team to deliver a “really vast, epic story”.

“We want to give our players a real world to explore — we want to give them a BioWare story,” Lee told Polygon. “A really vast, epic BioWare story. That’s what we do, and it normally takes 20 to 40 hours anyway to tell the story we want to tell.”

But there’s more to Inquisition than the story. Much more. So much that it might take you up to 200 hours to fully master.

Inquisition has a healthy smorgasbord of extras that all vary in size, shape and scope. Sometimes players will come across side missions that reveal new depths of the game’s many societies. Other times they’ll spend a whopping amount of time simply exploring the many environs of Thedas for loot.

The dazzling array of dialog choices has always been a mainstay for BioWare games as well. This content adds in key inferences in character personalities and ultimately adds more depth to the characters themselves. The intimate romance options add more significance to the personalities of party members, and adds a spark of the human element to gameplay.

One of the most exciting new features in Inquisition is that it’ll feature multiplayer for the first time in any Dragon Age game.

The new co-operative mode allows friends to team up in four-player groups for some dynamic dungeon-crawling action.  In the co-op mode you can rank up their characters, unlock new skills, and revel in some pretty fantastic loot. But there’s a catch–multiplayer progress won’t carry over to your singleplayer campaign. As Lee says, there’s “no gameplay connection between them”.

BioWare wants to make a world that deeply involves players in terms of immersion and size, and based on what we’ve seen so far in game trailers and interviews, it looks like they’ve hit their mark. Inquisition looks like a grand adventure that taps into the heart of Dragon Age‘s magic, and ultimately delivers the experience fans have been waiting for.

With the controversies surrounding Dragon Age II and the not-so-popular ending of Mass Effect 3, BioWare seems to have gone to the drawing board to redefine their approach. Inquisition may be the fruits of that labor, especially in an age where meaningful gameplay times are shrinking and being compromised for replayable multiplayer action.

Dragon Age: Inquisition looks to be a breath of fresh air not only for the series, but for the current trends of gaming altogether. Although bigger games are more costly, there is a very real demand and market for them, and hopefully we’ll start to see more RPG’s of this nature hit next-gen consoles in the future.

Dragon Age: Inquisition is slated to release on November 18, 2014 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. For more information be sure to visit the game’s official website.

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This specification covers all GPGPU-capable hardware, regardless of that hardware being in servers, workstations, desktops, notebooks or handhelds – if your GPU is able to compute, the manufacturer only needs to adopt OpenCL support in the driver and that’s that.

That should not be an issue, with AMD/ATI and Nvidia strongly standing behind the standard. Computing engineers on both sides bickered about Brooke+, CAL or CUDA in the past, but both makers are firmly behind OpenCL as the way for the future.

So far, companies that developed and ratified this initial spec include 3Dlabs, Activision Blizzard, AMD, Apple, ARM, BARCO, Broadcom, Codeplay, Electronic Arts, Ericsson, Freescale, HI, IBM, Intel Corporation, Imagination Technologies, Kestrel Institute, Motorola, Movidia, Nokia, NVIDIA, QNX, RapidMind, Samsung, Seaweed, TAKUMI, Texas Instruments and Umea University.

You can learn more at the official page of OpenCL API, but I wasn’t able to check the site as it was hammered down with numerous requests (this story was written at 10:05AM CET).

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