While Bioware may be focused currently on getting Dragon Age: Inquisition ready for launch, much of the developer's resources are going into preparing the next entry into their legendary Mass Effect franchise. While not much is known about the game so far, one Bioware employee recently revealed that the game is in a playable state at the Bioware offices, and that the game may be playable sooner than some fans have thought.

Aaryn Flynn, general manager for Bioware, recently posted a Twitter message that the new Mass Effect game is playable in some form at the developer's Montreal office, and also that it is apparently very enjoyable as well:

"Great time playing the next Mass Effect game in Montreal. Ambitious. Beautiful. Fresh but recognizable. And fun!"

This is good news for Mass Effect fans who have been waiting ever since the newest game in the series was confirmed in Sept. 2012. The game may be far enough along to be playable due to the fact that Bioware is using many of the game systems from Dragon Age: Inquisition for the Mass Effect game, thus speeding along the development process considerably.

It is unclear what to expect from this next Mass Effect game. Bioware has yet to confirm if the game will be Mass Effect 4 and continue the story of the series (without Captain Shepard, who will not be returning), or if the developer is working on a spinoff or prequel for the series. All that is known is that the game will have a new playable character and will use the Frostbite 3 Engine.

Bioware previously released some photos of the development team working on the game, and had some concept art and character models to show off to fans. However, these small bits of information told us very little about the game, and Bioware has said that fans will have to wait until 2014 at the earliest for concrete news, including what it will actually be called.

In any case, the next Mass Effect games is hotly anticipated by fans, even if it is unclear exactly how long fans will have to wait to actually play the game. If the game is already in a playable state, the game could be released in 2014, but Bioware has yet to comment on when the game could be released. Presumably, the game will be coming out on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with a PC version also very likely.