Somehow, improbably, the Anthem train is slowly continuing to move forward: Electronic Arts posted a new update today that delves into some of the work that went into redesigning the Javelin, the flying power suit that players will wear before embarking on their adventures outside Fort Tharsis The update delves into some of the following.

"As we spent time engaging with you and playing the game with great enthusiasm, we saw and heard a common theme: 'There is no satisfactory Javelin build in Anthem!' We have seen and heard this. We want to improve this as well and look forward to hearing your feedback on the changes we are attempting to make regarding the concept of "builds."

Very broadly, it can be broken down into four categories:

Loadout options and experimentation

Reliable creation of builds

Skill trees to provide choice and progress

Expansion of fantasy and play styles for each javelin

BioWare is also testing a new skill tree system, having determined that pilot level is not a "satisfactory measure" of a player's progress. Each Javelin has a basic skill tree, with unlockable abilities, passives, trigger abilities, and status boosts.

They are also experimenting with a new artifact system to replace component equipment types. Artifacts are pieces of super-powerful technology that set Javelins and Freelancers apart. Each Javelin type will have a distinct artifact corresponding to its class fantasy. For example, a ranger's rocket pod would be upgraded to a skyfel launcher artifact."

It is interesting, and frankly a bit surprising, that EA continues to devote time and resources to "Anthem" Mass Effect: When "Mass Effect: Andromeda" flopped, for example, EA buried it like they buried Joe Pesci in the cornfield. Effect: When "Mass Effect: Andromeda" flopped, for example, EA buried "Mass Effect: Andromeda" like they buried Joe Pesci in the cornfield and then wiped out the entire studio just to be safe. They are two very different games, and Anthem's game-as-a-service design gives it long-term money-making potential that the single-player-focused "Andromeda" cannot match. But "Andromeda" is the long-awaited reset of one of BioWare's biggest series (which looks pretty good by comparison), and it certainly didn't get this kind of post-disaster cleanup.

The short version is that EA rightfully sees something in "Anthem" that deserves redemption, and it is worth noting that the response to the update on Twitter has been almost universally positive: not a lot of replies, but there is real enthusiasm in what there There is. Unfortunately, Dailey has given no indication as to when these post-launch labors will come to fruition.