Mass Effect Andromeda is a fresh start for BioWare's sci-fi series, and far removed from Mass Effect 3 - so much so it's set in a different galaxy and 600 years into the future.

Asari and techno krogan: in. Batarians and geth? Probably out.

That said, long-time fans of the series have grown attached to many of Mass Effect's alien races from the Milky Way galaxy. It wouldn't be Mass Effect without them. Right?

Well, BioWare has confirmed that not all of the Milky Way races will be making the jump to Andromeda - but, intriguingly, has now said that they may turn up in sequels.

"We've designed the IP in such a way that they can all show up," creative director Mac Walters told Game Informer.

"For hopefully obvious reasons, they're not all going to show up in the first game."

Here's what we know so far: humans, asari, salarians and turians are all in - they each have an ark-full of would-be Andromeda colonists. Krogan are also along for the ride but don't have an ark themselves.

But where does that leave everyone else? It sounds a lot like the quarians and geth, batarians and vorcha, hanar and elcor, drell and volus won't be making an appearance.

There's still the possibility we may see a few lone examples in Mass Effect Andromeda - there's a Citadel-like hub spacestation, the Nexus, which made the leap prior to the four main race's arks.

But perhaps it is best some room is left for the new Andromeda races - the antagonist kett, the ancient Guardians... and presumably more yet to be revealed.

Walters' comment that other Milky Way species might pop up in an Andromeda 2 or 3 is an interesting one. It reminds me of something on the Andromeda Initiative tie-in website, which stated the organisation's eventual goal was to establish a fast and reliable link between the two galaxies.

With Andromeda setting the scene as a game about exploration and being the first pioneers in the galaxy, it's likely a sequel will see the Milky Way races establish a more permanent foothold.

Regardless, the game's pricier special edition comes with a pet Pyjack money, so there's that.

You can expect your new Normandy-like ship the Tempest to have a broad mix of races onboard - here's our roundup of your Mass Effect Andromeda squadmates revealed for more.