In the next Mass Effect, the Deus Ex author swings the pen

Deus Ex writer Mary DeMarle is directing the narrative aspects of the next Mass Effect.

DeMerle’s magic pen now writes for Mass Effect

On Monday, Mass Effect 4 director Michael Gamble confirmed that DeMarle will be collaborating on Electronic Arts’ major sci-fi series. So it’s official.

In the past, she was responsible for the narratives in various games in the Deus Ex series, such as Mankind Divided, Human Revolution and the mobile offshoots Go and The Fall. She also led the Guardians of the Galaxy story team. If you remember, this title won the game award for “Best Narrative” last year.

“She’s fantastic,” Gamble said of the new senior narrative director. “You’ve seen their work in Guardians of the Galaxy & Deus Ex (to name a few!).”

More on Mass Effect:

This is how DeMerle sees her work

Last year, DeMerle spoke up Gamesindustry.biz about the relationship between gameplay and story in game development. “I’ve worked in this industry for many, many years and I know that story often takes second place to gameplay,” she said.

“But if I understand the game and what I’m trying to make players feel, then I can understand that the gameplay is trying to achieve that in that way, and the story is there to support or encourage that.”

“As long as you know the game you want to make and understand why it’s the way it is, it’s all about the constant communication between narrative and gameplay, and constantly looking at it and understanding it from that vantage point.”