Canadian game developer BioWare has confirmed that it is working on a new Mass Effect novel series, shoring up leaks on the subject that got out over the weekend.

BioWare, a division of Electronic Arts, said in a brief post on its blog that it is working with publisher Titan Books on the project which will give them the opportunity to expand the Mass Effect universe and bring new stories to life outside of the games.

Unfortunately, BioWare said it is still too early to go into more details about the books or when they will be released but promised to provide pertinent details as they become available. They did say that they are in the midst of the creative process right now and are working with a talented group of writers to help tell the stories.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm neither a bookworm nor a movie buff but from an outsider's perspective, it's refreshing to see a developer take a big franchise like Mass Effect and consider continuing the story with a novel series.

Of course, just because you do one doesn't mean the other option is off the table.

Close to a decade ago, Avi Arad, ex-CEO of Marvel studio, optioned the movie rights to Mass Effect. Legendary Pictures signed on in 2010 but since that time, the project has gone through numerous ups and downs. It may still happen, perhaps as late as this year but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it.