Uncovered images may show Mass Effect Andromeda's new Shepard
Several renders, seemingly attributed to BioWare and supposedly showing the Pathfinder, have been discovered.
BioWare has yet to publicly showcase Mass Effect: Andromeda since the game was officially announced at E3 2015, but eager fans may have discovered several images of the game's main character.
The pictures were initially posted on ZBrushCentral, a website where artists and 3D modelers display their work. Although the post is timestamped as January 2015, it went largely unnoticed until recently, when Tweeted by Mass Effect fan Shinobi602.
Is this the new Shepard? It certainly appears to look like the protagonist that was featured in the game's past E3 2015 trailer. But who is this character exactly? Take a look at the images below.
It appears these renders were first shown at ZBrush Summit 2015, a community event where members of the website get together and discuss their work.
The Mass Effect Andromeda renders that were displayed at the event are attributed to Herbert Lowis, who is the lead character artist at BioWare Montreal. The person who published the image, going by online handle 'Fo0D', claims to be a member of the development team.
On one key image he writes: "And our Pathfinder character model at BioWare Montreal ... for Mass Effect: Andromeda."
Though they may appear legitimate, it's worth noting that the ZBrush community is formed of talented artists who could have feasibly drawn these themselves. GameSpot has contacted EA for comment.
The depicted character was first mentioned in a Mass Effect: Andromeda leak that gleaned details from a survey. It is believed the players will take on the role of a new hero called the "Pathfinder," who must explore the galaxy in search of a new home for humanity.
As previously announced, Mass Effect: Andromeda won't include Shepard, the star of the first three games in the series.
Mass Effect Andromeda's game world was said to be several times bigger than Mass Effect 3, and players will be able to explore "hundreds" of solar systems.
Publisher EA confirmed on March 2 that Mass Effect: Andromeda will launch in 2017.