James R | On 28, Nov 2021

Amazon is reportedly eyeing up a TV series based on Mass Effect.

The sci-fi video game franchise, developed by BioWare, has sold millions of copies since its first game was released in 2007. Created by Casey Hudson, Drew Karpyshyn and Preston Watamaniuk, the franchise is set in a future where humanity and several alien races have colonised the Milky Way, with Systems Alliance Navy vet Commander Shepard a key figure. The series has gone on to spawn not just a trilogy but several other titles and mobile editions – including (pictured above) a remaster of the original trio in a “Legendary Edition”.

The property, inevitably, has attracted interest in being ported to the big screen, with a film once in the works at Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures. Hudson and screenwriter Mark Protosevich were on board to adapt the game about 10 years ago.

Now, however, Amazon Studios is reportedly nearing a deal to develop a series based on the game. The TV project, which would allow for more room in the adaptation than a feature film, would build on Amazon’s growing library of fantasy and genre titles, including the upcoming launch of The Lord of the Rings and the recent launch of The Wheel of Time.

Indeed, The Wheel of Time reportedly racked up “tens and tens of millions of streams” in its first three days, with popularity particularly high in the USA, Canada, India, Brazil, France and Germany. Amazon Studios boss Jennifer Salke revealed all the above in an interview with Deadline, noting that The Wheel of Time had “some of the highest completion rates on the service” to date.

In that interview, which included the mention of a Mass Effect deal, Salke added: “You will see us continuing to invest in fantasy genre of all kinds, we have a genre-focused team on the ground in Studios who work tirelessly with our creative partners on those slates, and you can look forward to more.”

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