Lead Writer for Mass Effect: Andromeda Leaves BioWare

There was a huge blow today to anybody anticipating the arrival of Mass Effect: Andromeda as the game's lead writer confirmed that he has left BioWare. Chris Schlerf, the lead writer of Halo 4 moved from 343 Industries to Bioware in 2013 to become lead writer for the latest title in the Mass Effect universe, although this was kept a secret for nearly a year. In a tweet last night, he revealed that he has now left again to work for Bungie in Seattle.  

To confirm what some folks asked about a few months back, I am no longer working on ME:A at BioWare Montreal.

— schlerf (@schlerf) February 16, 2016

 In a reply to a Twitter user asking if this means that Andromeda's story is finished, Schlerf stated that the writing is still an ongoing process.  

@NM_Che56 Work there continues apace (or at least I hope so, otherwise some of those wonderful people will have some 'splainin' to do).

— schlerf (@schlerf) February 16, 2016

 This is the second notable departure from BioWare in recent weeks, following the exit of David Gaider in January. There's been no statement from the developer on either of these high profile staff reductions so it's not clear if this is an indicator of trouble not at this stage. All aigns so far though point towards the release of Andromeda as keeping to the Christmas 2016 target.