EA has announced that it’s begun producing a feature-length film adaptation with FUNimation, the same studio responsible for the upcoming release of a Dragon Age anime. FUNimation is known for hit shows such as Evangelion, Dragon Ball Z, and, potentially, what may become the greatest disaster ever to befall the Mass Effect series. If history’s taught us anything, it’s that not every video game needs, or can benefit from an anime treatment.

Dante’s Inferno and Dead Space received similar correlating films, but neither were as successful or as popular as Halo Legends. It’s arguable that neither of these series were even that exception- some just sucked less than others. However, in cases such as The Animatrix, a collection of various stories told within The Matrix paradigm expanded upon aspects not touched upon by the films. With the right guidance and reverence, this could potentially be a required piece of the Mass Effect fandom.

T.O. Entertainment (the same production company currently working on the Dragon Age anime) has signed on to co-produce the film. Mass Effect’s executive producer, Casey Hudson, will oversee the project along with executives from FUNimation and T.O.

The anime will be based in the ME universe, though it is not confirmed that it will revolve around Shepard in any way. Rather, it is expected to expand the world by exploring other aspects of the galaxy. It’s scheduled to release digitally and on home video in the summer of 2012.