It's been a while since we've had any kind of tease for Mass Effect 5. Last year's N7 Day gave us some concept art, and a job listing in January of this year at least made it clear the game was still in development. When questioned about the lack of updates, a lead on the space RPG simply says the team's too busy right now to do any promotion.

Michael Gamble, a project director and executive producer at BioWare, responded to a fan asking why there hasn't been a drop of Mass Effect 5 news since November. "Just busy workin'," he says. "Not a lot of time for tease [sic]."

Responses don't get more succinct than that. The developers on the next Mass Effect have their heads down on the upcoming game, and there just isn't much resource left for any kind of teasing or promotional trail. I respect both the candor and the prioritization.

When we might get more information is anyone's guess. N7 Day, held on November 7 every year to commemorate the series, is always worth keeping an eye on, though with expectations appropriately in check that we might get crumbs.

Summer Game Fest and The Game Awards are the next most likely candidates if there's an announcement or trailer to show. Mass Effect 5's first trailer closed out the latter in 2020, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a Divinity-level publicity stunt if or when the franchise returns to the event.

Concrete details have been scant. Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer, the voices behind female and male Commander Shepard, respectively, are both eager to return to the iconic role, but it's unknown if they or anyone tied to the SSV Normandy will be coming back. We'll see what emerges in the coming months.

The Mass Effect TV show reportedly goes through rewrites to make it "more appealing to non-gamers," and I'm hoping it follows Fallout and not Halo in that direction

Amazon Prime Video's long-in-development Mass Effect series has reportedly been ordered to rewrite scripts in order to appeal to a non-gaming crowd, but I'm just hoping it does so in a Fallout way and not a Halo way.

As reported on by The Ankler, Amazon's new head of global television Peter Friedlander is apparently waiting until script rewrites to properly give the Mass Effect series the crucial green light it needs to enter proper production. The report claims that the sci-fi show is on "the verge" of being green lit, but the Amazon TV boss wants rewrites to make it "more appealing to non-gamers" first.

There's no word on exactly which parts of the script Friedlander thinks could use some work, leaving the show's production and fans still eagerly awaiting Mass Effect 5 in an uncertain space.

Mass Effect inherently seems like the sort of universe that's rife for a small screen adaptation. There's juicy political drama, multiple steamy romances and possible love triangles, lots of action, some devastating tragedy, and a sprinkling of comedy. It's almost Game of Thrones but with aliens, and there's nothing much in BioWare's RPG that I imagine is inaccessible to your regular Prime Video audience - unless they turn Mordin's song into an episode-long musical, which I wouldn't have a problem with.

Regardless, if Amazon is dead set on smoothing out Mass Effect's gamey edges, I hope the show writers follow Fallout's lead by remixing what made the series special in a visual format rather than Halo's lead in just, urm, slapping game iconography on top of an otherwise unrelated sci-fi story.

The Mass Effect show will "explore a brand-new story" set after the original trilogy and "won't be a retread of Commander Shepard's story," according to BioWare

Peter Moore is one of the most memorable executives the game industry has ever seen. He presided over the Dreamcast at Sega of America and the Xbox at Microsoft and helped stoke the fires of the console wars. We still debate whether that tattoo was real to this day, but Moore's final stop in the game industry is perhaps the most notable. He did, after all, lead the sports division of EA during the span when the publisher was voted the Worst Company in America in 2012 and 2013.

"We were voted, two years in a row, the Worst Company in America, because of the ending of Mass Effect," Moore explains in an interview with The Game Business. "I mean, seriously, this is where BP is polluting the Gulf of Mexico – sorry, the Gulf of America," he adds with a touch of sarcasm. "Bank of America has brought down the global economy with subprime mortgages. But fucking Colonel Shepard dies in Mass Effect 3, and that makes us the Worst Company in America. So we went through that."

Moore might have gotten Commander Shepard's title wrong, but he's right about one thing: compared with companies doing existential harm against the environment and global economy, a game studio making a bad creative decision seems like small potatoes. But the Worst Company in America title was voted by readers of the now-defunct outlet The Consumerist, and there's no stopping gamers once you've given them an online poll through which to vent their anger.

Moore decided to meet those gamers where they were, he explains. "At that point, I jumped on Twitter," he says, and remarkably seems to believe that was the right call. "Many of you might remember that. I started engaging with gamers and all of the baggage that comes through that. But I felt it was the best way to start figuring out how we could humanize the face of EA. You know, we were, and probably still are, criticized."

Moore's read on the situation is a bit simplistic, but history tends to coalesce into simple narratives as the years roll on. EA's Worst Company in America awards weren't just about the Mass Effect 3 controversy – which, in turn, wasn't just about Shepard's fate. They were also a way to criticize the controversial always-online launch of SimCity in 2013. They were a protest against the company abandoning Steam in favor of a proprietary app. They were pushes against free-to-play games and microtransactions.

Those were all points that Moore was willing to acknowledge in a 2013 blog post, published shortly before the second award was finally determined. He also noted that some of EA's critics were pushing against the latest Madden cover athlete and "LGBT" inclusiveness. "That last one is particularly telling," Moore wrote at the time. "If that's what makes us the worst company, bring it on. Because we're not caving on that." (There is, of course, an all-new set of reasons to fear the company dropping those inclusive goals.)

It's worth noting, to Moore's point, that BP did get the Worst Company title in 2011, closer to when the Deepwater Horizon oil spill actually happened. And Bank of America was named the runner-up in 2011, 2012, and 2013. But maybe economic and environmental watchdogs just had better things to do with their time than voting in an online poll.

"Every day, millions of people across globe play and love our games – literally, hundreds of millions more than will vote in this contest," Moore wrote in that old blog. "So here's my response to this poll: We can do better. We will do better. But I am damn proud of this company, the people around the globe who work at EA, the games we create and the people that play them."

EA claims "our creative freedom and player-first values will remain intact" after buyout, and "even with the new debt" of $20 billion it will work to grow the company.

Notch another win for game preservation, as a Mass Effect fan has uncovered a prototype version of the cut mission that became the Bring Down the Sky DLC. It represents an extremely specific slice of the legendary RPG's development history, but for those of us who've been waiting nearly a decade for Mass Effect 5, any look at "new" content is sweet manna.

Oddly, this story starts with a YouTube comment. Back in 2010, Mass Effect composer Sam Hulick posted a track from an unreleased piece of DLC, offering no insight into what the expansion was meant to be. But a few years later, one comment declared that "it was a Caleston DLC." This user, offering no sources for their claims, alleged that "a guy said years back that it was leaked on Xbox Live for a short period of time."

This was a "my uncle works at Nintendo"-level rumor, but it was specific enough to get the attention of someone who goes by TheUnsungHero26. "While it sounded outlandish and came from an unverified source," they explain in a ResetEra thread, "it was such a specific claim that part of me believed it... And it turns out it was true!"

Well, true in a way, anyway. "During development of Mass Effect," TheUnsungHero26 explains in a YouTube video description, "BioWare uploaded a DLC prototype to PartnerNet, the Xbox 360 developer-facing Xbox Live sandbox. This DLC was dumped and uploaded to Hidden Palace on October 25, 2025."

That video, which you can see above, showcases a full playthrough of this DLC prototype. It's not the most exciting thing in the world – it mostly consists of a bunch of the same cookie-cutter sidequest areas that always drove me up the wall about Mass Effect 1 – but the fact that it exists at all is fascinating. Particularly since it is, indeed, labeled as Caleston DLC.

The name Caleston is already familiar to hardcore of Mass Effect fans, as it's the original name for the cut planet – technically, a cut moon – that eventually became Therum in the final game. Despite the location's appearance on the galaxy map in this prototype, TheUnsungHero26 explains that "selecting it actually takes you to an entirely different cut planet: a very early version of Bring Down the Sky, when it was meant to be a side quest in the main game."

But it's very different from the DLC that we actually got. "The map is different," TheUnsungHero26 says. "There are no Batarians, instead, the enemies are humans (as per the mission's original plot, which you can read about on the wiki), there's a timer, and instead of three bases, you are looking for three mine shafts with generators to shut down. There's also some oddities, like three crates with unique armor and weapons that were previously inaccessible, and a rachni nest."

It's a bizarre confluence of things – a cut mission, tied to the name of a cut planet, that eventually became DLC – but I'm hard-pressed to think of a game dev story that doesn't involve a bunch of pieces shifting around in ways that only make sense once the project is finished. Saving these sorts of development insights is a big part of what game preservation is all about.

"Now I realize the contents of this probably aren't too exciting to anyone except the most hardcore Mass Effect fans," TheUnsungHero26 concludes, "but experiencing 'new' content for a nearly two decades old game that I hold dear is something special. My hope is we see more pre-release builds of the game dumped, so we can uncover more cut content (of which there is a lot!) Big shout out to everyone who helps make game preservation like this possible."

The Mass Effect series includes some of the best RPGs ever made.

As work on The Witcher 4 continues to press on, CD Projekt Red opens the door to new faces with plenty of experience under their belts – like Dorian Kieken, the studio's new AI director and a hardened BioWare veteran boasting credits on gems from the Mass Effect series.

Kieken worked at BioWare for a solid eight years, as per his LinkedIn profile, starting as a producer on titles like Sonic Chronicles before moving on to act as development director and co-founder of the company's Montreal studio.

He then undertook projects like Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 – DLC included. Since leaving the team in 2015, he's gone on to found his own AI startup: AI Redefined, also known by the acronym "AIR."

Now, he's returning to game development, it seems – and he's not just going to any studio. Kieken is working with CD Projekt Red as the company's new AI director, as he reveals in an online post.

"After eight years of building memorable RPGs at BioWare and eight years of building cutting-edge AI solutions at AI Redefined, it is finally time to bring all of that together in my new role at CDPR as AI Director," he writes.

The new AI lead then explains that he'll be "responsible for the company's AI vision and strategy," and is "so excited" to be there. It's pretty cool, honestly, especially as it's not the first instance of CD Projekt Red welcoming knowledgeable devs recently.

Two months ago, former Baldur's Gate 3 developer Felix Pedulla joined CD Projekt Red as the team's newest senior cinematic designer, with other positions opening shortly after. As for Kieken's AI startup, AI Redefined, he posted late last year that it had been "acquired by CM Labs."

Fingers crossed that Kieken settles in nicely, and the next few years are just as bright for The Witcher masterminds as the past decade.

The Witcher 4 will cost CD Projekt almost $800 million between development and marketing, estimates analyst who also predicts new The Witcher 3 DLC this year

Skyrim's lead designer and former Bethesda veteran Bruce Nesmith has chimed in on what he wants to see from Mass Effect 5 (or whatever name the next Mass Effect game ends up with) and - surprise, surprise - he thinks BioWare could do well by ripping a few pages out of the Bethesda playbook.

"I would hope that they would try to just take their lore and make a modern game of it," Nesmith says in an interview with Press Box PR. "One of the knocks on Mass Effect that I would have is that they always felt like they were a generation behind. I know, they had very cool characters, they had great stories, but the gameplay always felt dusty and old. It just wasn’t there." Nesmith goes on to say that if BioWare could marry the studio's strengths with "more modern" sensibilities, then it could potentially have a "fantastic game" on its hands.

"I think taking lessons from Baldur's Gate 3 would fit Mass Effect really well," Nesmith continues before also naming dropping his own former workplace. "But I think they should probably try to make a more Bethesda-style game, to be honest."

Of course, Nesmith isn't implying that BioWare should fully go down the first-person sandbox route with Mass Effect 5. He just reckons fans of the series "are dying for an open world science fiction game that has that kind of flavor to it" and is "content heavy."

"Mass Effect players would be going nuts for that. But I’m a former Bethesda guy so I'm probably going to say that about a lot of things." Nothing wrong with having pride in some classics, I say.

Last time we heard from the next Mass Effect, BioWare was seemingly ramping up development by hiring a production director for the project.

OG Mass Effect Shephard actors would be there "with bells on" if BioWare brought them back for Mass Effect 5

Details on Mass Effect 5 are still scarce, but BioWare seems to be ramping up production by hiring for a new lead developer.

BioWare's executive producer and Mass Effect 5's project director Michael Gamble jumped online earlier today to share a job opening at the studio for a production director. "Hi, I'm hiring a very important senior leadership role," Gamble tweets. "They'll report to me and it's gonna be awesome."

Whoever gets the role will be responsible for making sure the studio as a whole is on the same page in regard to high-level concepts, and will already need over 10 years of experience on AAA games and "deep expertise in ARPG and RPG development," according to the job listing. They'll also need "a passion for the Mass Effect universe to serve as a high-impact leader on our next Mass Effect title." EA's job board currently doesn't include any other openings for BioWare specifically.

Mass Effect 5 is now the only game in production at the famed RPG maker after BioWare spent decades as a multi-project outfit, perhaps due to the soft launch of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the layoffs that followed in its footsteps.

At the start of last year, we learned the next Mass Effect was still in its pre-production phase five years on from its first reveal trailer, which revealed that Liara T'Soni was back alongside remnants of the galaxy-threatening Reapers. Our only hint as to what the game is actually about came from Liara unearthing N7 armor. Although, whether this is a direct sequel or one set in the distant future is unclear since Liara, and all Asari, are, you know, capable of living for hundreds of years.

OG Mass Effect Shephard actors would be there "with bells on" if BioWare brought them back for Mass Effect 5

Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah, who was at the famed studio for more than two decades while running the Dragon Age franchise, has suggested that Mass Effect 5 might actually benefit from being the only game on the developer's plate even if it means the gap between BioWare releases is longer.

For years, BioWare juggled multiple projects at the same time. The original Mass Effect, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, and Dragon Age: Origins were all in different stages of production concurrently, for example, and the studio continued with that structure of having developers go back and forth between games up until, well, now.

Executive producer Mike Gamble even recently stated "the team is heads-down and focused exclusively on Mass Effect" since they "have a lot of universe to cover, lots of features to build, and lots of romances to figure out" - and, presumably, not enough bandwidth to cover a second game anyway.

Speaking to Destin Legarie, Mark Darrah says the "Mass Effect 5 team did what we should have done when we moved the Dragon Age people on to Anthem, which is everyone went." By nature, that means there's going to be a more significant gap between the studio's releases - Darrah himself guessed Mass Effect 5 might come out "a long time" after Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

"BioWare has effectively become a one-project studio, which has its own problems, but it's a different set of problems than what BioWare has been up until arguably 2022," Darrah continued, before explaining all the upsides that can come with making games under a one-project structure.

The BioWare of old, Darrah said, had "several projects fighting for attention and resources, and like bumping each other and elbowing each other and causing unintended effects on each other. That's not the studio that it is now. As near as I can tell, 100% of what they're working on right now is Mass Effect. That's probably for the best."

Fans find Mass Effect 5 art of a Krogan civil war hidden in BioWare's N7 Day post, studio lead says "I want you to see stuff. But it's not the time…yet."

When it comes to heartbreaking moments in Mass Effect, the number one spot will always belong to the exit of Dr. Mordin Solus. But in second place is Garrus and Shepard’s promise to each other before heading to war against the Reapers, a scene so poignant, it almost made Jennifer Hale break down.

She recalls doing the scene for the Behind the Voice podcast, mentioning that it's the time during her tenure voicing the female Commander Shepard where the emotions started catching up to her. "The goodbye scene with Garrus kicked me hard," she says.

"90% of the work – maybe 85% now – is cold reading. I've never seen a line until I say it," she continues. "That scene with Garrus took me by surprise. I saw it, and I was like, 'Oh – oh…' And as I was doing it, I was starting to break, I was starting to cry, and I was like, 'No, no, no!'"

In her words, "Shepard doesn't cry," and she took a moment to re-center herself before restarting the scene. The exchange in question is deeply impactful, with two soldiers who've been through hell and back realizing this might be the final time they get to square up together.

As is typical of both, there are no tears, only a solemn vow to find each other afterwards for an alcoholic beverage or three when all is said and done. Garrus breaks rank to order Shepard to give the Reapers hell, something they absolutely take to heart. It's poetic and heartrending, and given the lump in my throat revisiting it on the back of this piece, I can only imagine what it was like in the booth for Hale.

After three glorious games performing as Shepard, Hale's been emphatic about returning to the role in Mass Effect 5, if BioWare will have her. If the series does bring back the commander, maybe Garrus can make an appearance, and they can go for that drink. Hey, we can dream, right?

Mass Effect 5 remains in development amid $55 billion EA buyout, and BioWare is now "heads-down and focused exclusively on" the RPG, with "lots of romances to figure out."

As development of Mass Effect 5 continues, there's one important question we're all asking: Will the cast include another Krogan as cool as Wrex? The second, of course, is will Commander Shepard make a return. Jennifer Hale, the beloved voice of the female Shepard, is keen to reprise the role.

"I have no idea," Hale tells the Behind the Voice podcast about whether Shepherd is lined up for the next game. "This is what I say to fans: If you want Shepard in the next game, please email them and tell them, because maybe they'll respond to that."

She reiterates that she doesn't know anything about a prospective Shepard comeback, but she says "I would love it." A fifth mainline Mass Effect game was teased back at the 2020 The Game Awards, though the announcement was really just that, with no further details provided.

BioWare is apparently still handling development on the series, but the current status of Mass Effect 5 or anything else in development there is unknown. Between layoffs and a muted response to Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the studio's been going through a rough patch, and EA's recent buyout announcement has raised questions over long-term plans for any of the publisher’s subsidiaries.

Hale's been on the record repeatedly about her interest in coming back to the franchise. In October 2025, she mentioned it'd be a short conversation, and the following December, she doubled-down, alongside Mark Meer, the voice of male Shepard, who's just as keen to become the commander again.

Whether this will yield anything, or if Shepard is even involved in the game to begin with, remains to be seen. Hale's advice isn't the worst though: If you want more Mass Effect, you know who to ask (respectfully).

Mass Effect 5 devs should use Dragon Age: The Veilguard as a "scapegoat" so they can "get what they need" from EA, says former BioWare exec.

As development on Mass Effect 5 apparently continues amid EA's current buyout, one question floating around is whether or not Commander Shepard would make a return. Should they do so, the voices that brought the character to life would be more than happy to reprise the role.

Both Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer, Shepard's female and male voices, respectively, did an interview responding to fan enquiries on Fall Damage, and it didn't take long before the possibility of coming back popped up. "I like to think Shepard is alive in all of our hearts," Meer comments, with Hale responding: "Shepard is alive if you make it so."

She then encourages people to contact the "powers that be" - EA and BioWare - to request some more of the Normandy's finest captain. "We will be there, because we should not go," she adds. "I would be there with bells on if they offered for me to play Shepard again."

Meer wouldn’t be far behind. "I agree, but only under any circumstances," he says in typically tongue-in-cheek manner.

Bringing back Shepard presents some narrative quandaries for the developers. Depending on what you chose over the course of the original Mass Effect trilogy, they may or may not be around any more, and if they return, the devs would be making at least one of the endings more canonical than the others.

In theory, anyway. There's always the conceit of cloning or using tech like cryogenics, or placing events somewhere on the timeline where Commander Shepard is just around normally. The possibilities are there, is what I'm saying. Given the tumultuous state of the industry, I'm happy more Mass Effect remains feasible, and if the trilogy's fateful protagonist remains involved, all the better.

Fans find Mass Effect 5 art of a Krogan civil war hidden in BioWare's N7 Day post, studio lead says "I want you to see stuff. But it's not the time…yet"

This year's N7 goodies seem to actually be telling us something for a change. The Mass Effect 5 update, delivered by way of a blog post to commemorate the RPG series' annual day of celebration, is expectedly cryptic. In it, BioWare exec Mike Gamble waxes lyrical about how much the team appreciates us fans and our patience, reinforcing that the developer is still hard at work on Mass Effect 5 and giving no indication that EA's $55-billion buyout has complicated matters. He also shares that the new Mass Effect TV show will take place after the events of Commander Shepard's trilogy ("because after all … that’s YOUR story, isn’t it?") before assuring us that there definitely isn't a hidden meaning in his message.

But the cheeky bugger was lying, of course. You don't need my decades of proofreading to spot the nine italicized letters scattered throughout the blog post, spelling out a mysterious URL fragment. Long story short, a new Mass Effect 5 image is safely in our hands, depicting a Krogan soldier leading an army and captioned "civil war". With a pivotal choice at the end of Mass Effect 3 indicating only one way this many Krogan could be around in the new game, could this be confirmation of BioWare reneging on its commitment not to canonize player choice? Or could it actually be telling us the contrary – that it'll respect our decisions, and find unique ways of doing so?

Someone else might've gotten it wrong

If there's one thing I've learned about Mass Effect's hardiest alien race, it's that Krogans love a good battle. They're built like stocky turtle-oid tanks, born with an innate militarial understanding that makes for excellent soldiers and generals. That's why many Mass Effect 3 players, myself included, opted to cure their genetic disease and enlist the Krogan army as a war asset.

Whether or not you view the genophage as a necessary act of biological warfare, inflicted upon the Krogan by Turians in an effort to control birthrates and prevent another Krogan uprising, deciding to cure it is a pivotal moment in Mass Effect 3. Freeing a race from centuries of forced eugenics feels like one of the less morally-challenging choices in the game – the opposite of which, there are many – especially when the alternative is to deceive your old friend Urdnot Wrex (if he's alive to see it) and be a bit of a bastard. For the greater good, some might argue, but I disagree.

After poring over the new picture of a Krogan civil war for way too long, my first thought was that it could only mean one thing: Mass Effect 5 will show the genophage cured for good, allowing the Krogan race to proliferate, as well as the consequences of not heeding the Turian's warning of an second Krogan war should their combative natures get the better of them. It certainly looks that way in the image Gamble pointed us to.

But if BioWare committed to that choice – something that would have rippling effects through the world of Mass Effect as we know it – what other player-based outcomes could it canonize in ME5?

Between a rock and a hard-headed place

The destruction of all synthetics is another huge decision players can make in ME3, with implications for the whole galaxy that would surely be referenced in future games.

But there's only so much we can expect to see reflected in ME5. As our very own BioWare superfan Heather Wald said in relation to Dragon Age: The Veilguard's limited array of choices carried across from Inquisition, seeing which major choices will be honored in the new Mass Effect game also means that others might not be. So much happened in the trilogy, after all, and it would be a staggering amount of work to accommodate each and every variation of ME3's endings into the next big instalment.

But the Krogan presence in Mass Effect 5, something all but confirmed at this point, could also be explained in the context of an un-cured genophage.

Even with their limited numbers, Shepard's betrayal in procuring a fake cure in Mass Effect 3 could have sparked a civil war between those Krogan who wanted a cure and those who defected and joined forces with the Citadel. This would prove an intriguing setup for a galaxy wherein the Krogan become even more hostile to outsiders than before, turning them into a powerful adversary for whoever our new player character might be.

The fact that the Krogan's ongoing existence in Mass Effect 5 could be the result of either choice outcome has given me hope that BioWare is going to let us carry that decision across. The parameters are flexible enough that a Krogan civil war seems possible no matter what you chose to do in Shepard's final act, which makes it all the more exciting to theorize on how BioWare would actually implement it.

Again, this is pure speculation, but I'm glad to have more than a seconds-long video of someone walking (thanks, 2023) to chew over this year. Though, I mean, an extra little something wouldn't have gone unappreciated…

If you can't wait for ME5, check out these other games like Mass Effect to give you a similar dose of RPG goodness.

BioWare made it pretty clear that there was a secret lingering in its N7 Day celebrations, and fans have finally figured out the hidden message. The result? A piece of concept art teasing a Krogan civil war. That's a bounty for lore nerds, but for people who wanted to see a little more of the actual video game part of Mass Effect 5, today's news has been a bit of a disappointment. According to executive producer Mike Gamble, though, it simply isn't yet time to show more of the RPG.

"For everyone yelling at me because we didn’t use N7 Day to provide a whole bunch of info…" Gamble laments in a tweet. "I mean, I get it. I’m a fan too. I want you to see stuff. But it’s not the time…yet. Has it been years since announce? Yes. Have we been busy? Yes. Are we NOW 100% on mass effect? Also yes"

That tweet came somewhat before fans found today's presumably final bit of Mass Effect 5 news. Hidden in Gamble's blog post were a series of italicized letters spelling out "URL KROGAN." It took a while for fans to figure out the precise meaning, until the Mass Effect Twitter account provided a clue: "https://www.masseffect[dot]com/[ERROR A20N7S12]"

That combination of letters and numbers constituted a cipher, with N, appropriately enough, meaning 7. Turn KROGAN into that cipher and you get 411826207, which led to this page on the official Mass Effect website, featuring a high-quality piece of concept art featuring a group of Krogans in battle, with the caption civil war underneath. That perhaps hints at a story we'll see told in Mass Effect 5, but there's only so much info you can pull out of an image like this.

But this kind of teaser is all we've seen of Mass Effect 5 going back for years now, and that's not much for a fandom that's been waiting nearly a decade for a new entry in the series. Hopefully we'll be getting more substantial news soon with BioWare now fully focused on the game, but I can't blame fans for being tired of vague teasers.

For more games like Mass Effect to sustain yourself on, you know where to click.

It's November 7, which means it's time for your tiny annual update on the status of Mass Effect 5. As malaise over the big EA buyout takes hold, BioWare is taking this N7 Day to say that the upcoming RPG is still in development and offer a tiny – I emphasize, tiny – handful of teases about what to expect.

"Like you, we’ve heard the rumors lately," executive producer Mike Gamble says in a new blog post, gesturing toward the EA buyout news that is very much fact rather than rumor. "You’ve made it clear you care deeply about what’s next. So let’s start by setting the record straight: the next Mass Effect game is in development, and EA and BioWare remain committed to telling more stories in this universe."

Gamble says that "the team is heads-down and focused exclusively on Mass Effect. We have a lot of universe to cover, lots of features to build, and lots of romances to figure out. We’re excited by what we’re building, and we promise you: when we’re ready, it’ll be a lot of fun to show."

Simply dropping the word "romances" into the blog alone will be enough to send a fanbase rabid for alien booty calls into overdrive, but there is one more teaser in here – a series of italicized letters that spell out either "URL KROGAN" or "URL MASS EFFECT KROGAN N7" depending on what's meant to be italicized here. I assume there'll be some web page you need to append these terms to in order to see some secret teaser, similar to the 2023 Epsilon videos, but it doesn't seem anyone's yet discovered the key.

Gamble also offers a quick update on Amazon's Mass Effect TV series, confirming that it'll fit within the existing timeline, similar to the Fallout show, and tell a new story set after the original trilogy.

We've now spent a lot of years waiting for news on the next Mass Effect game, and morsels of information have been few and far between. This is still something of a crust of bread tossed to a fanbase starving in the desert, but with anxieties running high about what the EA buyout will mean for the future of series like Mass Effect, any assurance is appreciated.

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November 7th marks N7 Day, a celebration of all things Mass Effect, even if most of the universe's population doesn't realize it. To mark the intergalactic holiday, BioWare is once again loaning out Commander Shepard's ship for people to use in No Man's Sky. (He won't be needing it any time soon, anyway.)

"To celebrate N7 Day, we are again collaborating with our friends at BioWare and EA to run the Beachhead expedition," a blog on the space sandbox's website reads, "and offer the No Man's Sky community another opportunity to claim the legendary SSV Normandy SR1."

The iconic ship was first shot out of a mass relay and into No Man's Sky's orbit straight after the release of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, and it's since come back to the game a couple of times, last year included.

"We've welcomed many new Travellers to No Man's Sky since the Normandy's last appearance in the Euclid galaxy, and we hope this news comes as a welcome surprise to our fellow Mass Effect fans," the blog continues.

You can complete the Beachhead Expedition and grab the Normandy from now until November 18, at which point the game will cycle through this year's other expeditions every two weeks until mid-January 2026. So, go get it while you can. And if you can't, well, the Normandy's sure to pop back up at some N7 Day in the future.

"We remain THE BIGGEST Mass Effect fans and I can't describe how happy this makes us," Hello Games founder Sean Murray tweeted.

Speaking of, we haven't seen the long-awaited Mass Effect 5 in years, but BioWare put everyone's worries to bed by reconfirming that "the next Mass Effect game is in development, and EA and BioWare remain committed to telling more stories in this universe," earlier today.

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Prolific video game actor Jennifer Hale - who's been in everything from Bayonetta 3 to Halo - has said she'd return to Mass Effect almost instantaneously should developer BioWare ask her to.

As one of the two actors to bring Mass Effect's Commander Shepard to life, Hale obviously had a big hand in making the character and the trilogy as a whole so special, but it seems the iconic series had just as big an impact on her as it did on the fan base.

Speaking to IGN, 'FemShep' said she "would be there before they [BioWare] finish the sentence," even though the famed studio hasn't picked up the phone to call her just yet.

Mass Effect 5, or whatever it ends up being called, is obviously in development right now, but the ending of the initial trilogy makes it a bit hard to simply return to Shepard. One possible finale does show our Commander battered but still breathing under rubble - though another theory points to a possible connection to Mass Effect Andromeda, which was set hundreds of years after Shepard's first adventure.

Still, that doesn't rule out Jennifer Hale's comeback to the universe, as she said she'd play "anyone." Krogan, hologram, bug, rotting corpse - it's all fair play. "I love that universe. I'm ready. Anytime."

"Everyone out there, the more you tell them what you want, maybe the likelier it is that it'll happen," she said, calling on fans to also poke BioWare about it.

Earlier in the year, we learned that the next Mass Effect was "still in pre-production" amid more layoffs at the studio. Things haven't gotten any more optimistic since, as EA is taking on $20 billion in debt to help fund a $55 billion buyout to private equity firms, meaning the publisher might probably cut corners somewhere. Here's hoping the developers stay unaffected through it all.

Jennifer Hale says she didn't see a single line as Mass Effect's Commander Shepard until it was time to record: "It was all cold reading on the spot"

EA is officially going private as part of a $55 billion dollar deal led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, private equity firm Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner's investment firm Affinity Partners. The deal will be partially financed by EA taking on $20 billion in debt – and as the industry wonders how the publisher will deal with that financial burden, BioWare fans in particular are terrified of what might await the beloved RPG studio in the future.

"The transaction will be funded," a press release explains, "by a combination of cash from each of PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners as well as roll-over of PIF's existing stake in EA, constituting an equity investment of approximately $36 billion, and $20 billion of debt financing fully and solely committed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., $18 billion of which is expected to be funded at close."

You may have heard about leveraged buyouts funded by private equity in the past, and this is essentially how they work. An investor, or group of investors, puts up some amount of cash to buy a company, while the rest of the purchase price is funded through debt taken on by that company. In grossly simplified terms, once the deal closes, EA will have a $20 billion mortgage on itself.

No one yet knows precisely how EA will pay off that debt, but other leveraged buyouts have often been swiftly followed by money-saving efforts that, well… calling them "aggressive" would be a substantial understatement. As Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier notes on Bluesky, the EA deal "could mean mass layoffs, more aggressive monetization, and other big cost-cutting measures."

EA's success is propped up by massive franchises like its annual sports games, but the company also owns no shortage of beloved IP. Would the risk of another Titanfall happen when there's $20 billion in debt to pay off? Would a new Skate, whatever issues it might have, ever have been greenlit?

But nobody's more frightened of the possibilities than BioWare fans. The beloved studio has produced some of the most beloved RPGs of all time – the likes of Baldur's Gate, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age – but it hasn't had a bonafide hit in years. Finally getting to launch a single-player RPG last year seemed like a victory, but Dragon Age: The Veilguard underperformed financial expectations.

"It's over, Commander," as one thread on the Mass Effect subreddit laments, and you'll find a lot of similar sentiments in other comment threads across the internet. The general feeling among fans seems not to be fear about what might happen to BioWare with those financial concerns in mind – they're acting as if the studio is already dead, that Mass Effect 5 is already canceled, and they're mourning accordingly.

Goodbye BioWare, we had an exceptional run, even Andromeda. 💔

— @maisey.bsky.social (@maisey.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-10-01T00:51:08.201Z

If BioWare gets added to the pile of Origin, Westwood, Bullfrog, Maxis, and Pandemic, it will really help cement that EAs most meaningful legacy might be shutting down some of the greatest and most foundationally important teams in game development history. That's like killing the Avengers.

— @len.bsky.social (@len.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-10-01T00:51:08.215Z

I knew the future of Bioware was bleak, but I didn't think it was gonna be *this* bleak.

— @luke-garou.bsky.social (@luke-garou.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-10-01T00:51:08.187Z

Even if BioWare does survive whatever EA does in the future, there's one more concern with the company now owned by investors tied to Saudi Arabia and the US conservative political apparatus. Would BioWare's historic depiction of LGBTQ+ content remain intact? That's a concern even former Mass Effect and Dragon Age narrative designer Trick Weekes seems to share on social media.

Buyers: So your games... guns and football, yes?EA: Mmhmm, mmhmm, mostly guns and football, yep.Buyers: No gay stuff? No politics we're not going to like?EA: Haha, definitely not! Hey, could you give me one sec? I just need to shut down a studio real quick.kotaku.com/report-saudi...

— @trickweekes.bsky.social (@trickweekes.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-10-01T00:51:08.084Z

Of course, none of these concerns have yet come to fruition, and it's too early to tell what the future of EA will look like – frankly, it's impossible to predict what will happen because we've never seen a deal like it.

"$20,000,000,000 of debt financing is a shockingly large number to have to service," as games market analyst Mat Piscatella says on Bluesky, "while also transitioning from a public to private organization and all the implications that has on the people that work in it. We've obviously never seen anything like this at this scale in the industry before."

At least the best BioWare games will always be there.

Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah says the studio should use Dragon Age: The Veilguard as a "scapegoat" to get the resources it needs for Mass Effect 5.

The next Mass Effect game is BioWare's only big project known to be in development, and Darrah reckons this perceived focus on one, single game will make its development cycle "less messy" than previous titles, which in the past have "cannibalized" each other, in his words.

In an interview with MrMattyPlays (thanks, PC Gamer), Darrah straight-up advises the Mass Effect 5 team to point to Dragon Age: The Veilguard's lengthy development, which endured a shift from single-player RPG to live-service multiplayer and then back again, as an example of what not to do.

"To be frank, the Mass Effect team is going to be able to point to The Veilguard and say, 'We should steer away from some of these things, because look what happened'," Darrah says. "I would honestly encourage that team to scapegoat Veilgard as much as they need to to get what they need from the organization, whether it's true or not."

Darrah adds that, "the problem with being single project is you have this sort of boom and bust thing happening, where you get really big, and then you have to slim down.

"Now, EA seems to be trying to move to some sort of model where people flow within the overall organization a lot more. So maybe that will be fine. Maybe that'll work out great, but it remains to be seen."

Darrah left BioWare in December 2020 alongside longtime Mass Effect director Casey Hudson after more than two decades with the company. With Mass Effect 5 having been announced in 2020 but presumably kicking into full development post-The Veilguard, that means Darrah hasn't had his hands in its development, but his insights as a BioWare veteran from the very beginning nonetheless carry a lot of weight.

One thing's for sure: Both the Mass Effect series and BioWare as a whole are in desperate need of a bounce back after Andromeda and The Veilguard, respectively, and all eyes are on Mass Effect 5 to see whether it sticks the landing.

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Mass Effect 5 won't be dropping the RPG series' penchant for one of sci-fi's most notorious visual effects, according to a hint from its project director.

Last week, Twitter user Gray commented that "Mass Effect 5 better stick to tradition and have an excessive amount of lens flare." As any good sci-fi project with its roots in the 00s should, the original trilogy makes plenty of use of lens flaring - a visual effect that occurs when light is scattered by passing through a lens.

In filmmaking, lens flares were once avoided but became so popularized by directors such as Steven Spielberg and particularly J.J. Abrams that they eventually became ubiquitous in sci-fi. Clearly, the original Mass Effect trilogy didn't have an actual lens to aim that light through, but that didn't stop BioWare from creating them in its series.

And it sounds like that's not likely to change. Mass Effect 5 project director Mike Gamble - who served as a producer and project manager across Mass Effect 2, 3, and Andromeda - responded to Gray's tweet with an affirmative 'ok' emoji. It's a minimal clue, but it's one of still relatively few that we've got to go on when it comes to the next Mass Effect game. If nothing else, it's evidence that the sci-fi visual language that the Mass Effect team has spent nearly 20 years nailing down isn't going anywhere immediately.

We have learned snippets of information about Mass Effect 5 over the years; back in February, we found out that Mass Effect 5 is officially in pre-production; back in October 2024, he confirmed that Mass Effect 5 "is photorealistic" and will be staying that way for now, and hinted that it will feature "multiple endings." The recent release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard likely means that we're still a considerable distance from Mass Effect 5, but at least the details are starting to come together.

While you wait, check out our list of the best RPGs.

A former Dragon Age boss says he felt his team was "jerked around" by EA, but that BioWare's corporate overlords weren't really interested in Mass Effect either.

In a new video, former Dragon Age executive producer Mark Darrah explains how, in 2017, he witnessed a BioWare first: In the "final push" towards the release of Mass Effect: Andromeda, he led a "final team" that came on to help the series' black sheep get out the door. Unfortunately, it seems that wasn't a decision Darrah was particularly happy with.

"My feeling at the time," he explains, "was the Dragon Age team was feeling jerked around. We were feeling like we were getting no support from BioWare or EA, which was basically true."

He maintains that moving senior leadership away from a project - in this case the game that would eventually become Dragon Age: The Veilguard many years later - was an "incredibly dangerous" strategy that stemmed from EA being "disinterested" in BioWare.

That disinterest didn't last too much longer, however. Darrah says that EA wasn't "particularly interested" in Mass Effect: Andromeda, "because they had little to gain from the success of Andromeda and little to lose from its failure." In fact, the company "had a lot more incentive for BioWare to move onto the next thing that they could tie themselves to."

That "next thing" was Anthem. While theoretically that loot-shooting service game could have become a major BioWare cash-cow, it failed utterly, grinding to an abrupt halt barely a few weeks after launch.

BioWare initially discussed rebooting the game, but those plans were eventually abandoned in favor of a return to the single-player RPGs that made its name - last year's Veilguard and the upcoming Mass Effect 5.

BioWare remains responsible for many of the best RPG games out there.

Longtime video game voice actor Jennifer Hale says that her role as Commander Shepard in Mass Effect boiled down to a lot of last-minute performances since she didn't see any scripts until it was time to record them.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Hale reckons that "85 to 90%" of video game voice capture work boils down to cold reading. "The entirety of Mass Effect, I saw no line before the moment I recorded it," she says. "It was all cold reading on the spot. A couple takes, maybe a few, and it goes out to market. That's it."

The Mass Effect games were obviously recorded quite a while ago, but the games industry is still often secretive and late when it comes to recordings. Hale says "voice performers have to be incredibly skilled in the game arena, even more so than in other arenas" due to the demands this production schedule puts on performances.

Many voice actors don't even know what they are being cast in until much later in the process. Lady Dimitrescu actor Maggie Robertson had no idea what was in Resident Evil Village until after she'd been cast. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's Matthew Mercer didn't learn he was playing Vincent until a cryptic message was shared with him at the studio and on camera. Stewart Clarke voiced Strohl in Metaphor: ReFantazio, but didn't realize he was in a big Atlus game until that recording was near its end. This kind of thing happens a lot, and it's just a glimpse into the controlled chaos that goes on behind the scenes.

Actors supporting AI protections didn't know they were being replaced in Zenless Zone Zero update 1.6: "I found out the role was recast today alongside all of you."

Over a decade has passed since Mass Effect 3 first graced fans with its stellar story and sci-fi world, and BioWare lead Michael Gamble is celebrating its 13th birthday with a post – but at the same time, he's also ensuring that readers are aware that's all his post is.

It's not a cryptic hint, a mysterious teaser, or any other flavor of a masked reveal – it's just a celebratory post commemorating the monumental release of Mass Effect's third entry. "Happy birthday, ME3," writes Gamble, who is currently directing Mass Effect 5. The game means a lot to us. I'll leave it there. That way nobody can say I purposefully teased them or created some sort of news story hinting at the next game details."

Gamble's words are certainly funny, but he does have a point. As a fan of anything BioWare myself, I admit the community seems to look into things – even when it shouldn't. It doesn't help that actual hidden hints do often drop, either, with past situations like the N7 Day 2023 teaser coming to mind. BioWare's full focus shifting to Mass Effect 5, which is currently in "pre-production" now, after Dragon Age: The Veilguard is also significant.

After all, fans yearn to know more about the beloved sci-fi RPG series' upcoming entry – and so far, BioWare hasn't revealed too much. Mass Effect 5 is the studio's only big project after The Veilguard currently, though, which means that the community might get the long-awaited news it's hoping for soon. Until then, however, there are four brilliant Mass Effect gems to go back and replay – so I know what I'll be doing in the meantime.

Here are some of our most exciting new games this year and beyond to keep an eye on.

A lot of artists dislike working for big companies, and BioWare's co-founder Greg Zeschuk explained why in a less-than-glowing assessment of EA.

"I like to comment that EA gives you enough rope to hang yourself," Zeschuk says in an interview with Eurogamer. "And what I mean by that is you have to learn to work within the structure."

It might seem like the dream of an artist to have a huge company footing the bill, but that backing also comes with a lot of restrictions creatives need to deal with. "I think we did quite well, if you look at the Mass Effect [trilogy that] came out of there," says Zeschuk. "It was actually a pretty successful run. But you have to understand how to work within a big company. And, for me, that was the end. It was like, 'oh, I don't like big companies'. So I knew by year two that I was going to leave at some point. I just didn't know when."

It seems that BioWare actually enjoyed reasonable freedom within EA, though. "There's all kinds of shenanigans we did," Zeschuk admits. Some BioWare devs made games for Facebook under a fake company name, and when EA spotted "a couple of Apple development devices and we weren't in the mobile division, they were like 'what are you doing?'"

I suppose when you make a series as successful as Mass Effect, you're given a longer leash. But EA isn't the only big company BioWare worked with. Zeschuk shared another story about a time Microsoft gave "the worst advice, absolute moronic advice from them, the stupidest thing ever."

The advice was to release Jade Empire on the original Xbox in 2005, just before the Xbox 360 came out. "Microsoft was like 'no no, you should release it now, right at the end of the cycle, because it's a great time.'"

Now Zeschuk makes craft beer. He must be happier being away from all the big companies, especially considering that EA just laid off a lot of BioWare devs and WB games shut down Monolith and cancelled the Wonder Woman game. It's not a great time for big game companies.

In other news, there was a Pokemon Presents today that revealed a lot more information about Pokemon Legends Z-A.

Amid changes at BioWare as the studio shifts its focus to Mass Effect 5, while shuffling some devs to other EA studios and reportedly laying some off, the project director of the upcoming sci-fi RPG has clarified that the game is "still in pre-production."

Last week, BioWare general manager Gary McKay said that considering Mass Effect 5's current "stage of development," the team doesn't "require support from the full studio," noting that "many colleagues" had been matched up with other EA teams with open roles. In a statement sent to IGN, a BioWare spokesperson confirmed that with Dragon Age: The Veilguard now shipped, "the studio's full focus is Mass Effect." The spokesperson didn't provide comment about the reported layoffs, however – Bloomberg has since claimed that less than 100 employees are left at BioWare.

In a Twitter thread responding to this news, the project director of the upcoming Mass Effect game, Michael Gamble, has clarified what stage of development the RPG is currently at and it sounds like it's still quite a ways off being completed. "As the notes have said, we are still in pre-production," Gamble writes. 

Considering how little we know about the game, it makes sense. Hell, we still don't know if it'll pull a Witcher 4 or Switch 2 and be given the "unofficial" name that everyone's been using for it – Mass Effect 5 – or be called something else entirely. 

As for the current team size, this lines up with comments made by former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah, who claimed in a video after The Veilguard's release that Mass Effect 5 "isn't ready to suddenly have a team of 250, 300 people working on it." In the same video, he said that he believed that since the project wasn't "up and running at full speed" yet, "there is a need to find other work for them within the rest of the EA organization while the Mass Effect team figures out what Mass Effect is going to be, figures out the structure, and then gets ready to ramp up to a much bigger team size."

As layoffs reportedly hit BioWare, former Dragon Age writer tells fans not to worry: "DA isn't dead because it's yours now."

Now that Dragon Age: The Veilguard is out, one BioWare veteran suggests that the developer has found itself in a unique situation with Mass Effect 5 being its only known ongoing project. Despite this, he believes that the upcoming sci-fi RPG "isn't ready" to suddenly take on a large team of people, leaving them looking for other work within EA for the time being.

Mark Darrah was an executive producer at BioWare for almost 24 years up until 2021, and also served as a consultant on Dragon Age: The Veilguard. As highlighted on ResetEra, he's now publicly released one of his members-only videos (below) from last year on what's next for BioWare now that The Veilguard has been released, touching on the developer's history of focusing on multiple projects at once, which now seems to have been totally flipped.

He points to 2023, when the MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic was moved out of EA and into Broadsword Online Games' care. At this point, Darrah says, "for the first time since arguably 1995, maybe not even then, BioWare is only working on a single project, which is Dragon Age: The Veilguard." He believes that once the developers wrap up any final patches they're working on for The Veilguard, with there being no plans for DLC, "there's only Mass Effect, so everyone at BioWare will be working on Mass Effect."

Things aren't quite as straightforward as that, though. Darrah says that "Mass Effect isn't ready to suddenly have a team of 250, 300 people working on it." He notes that, in the past, when the developer absorbed talent from one of its projects into another in order to focus on it, it was already "up and running at full speed" and "had enough existing infrastructure that it was able to absorb everything." 

This isn't where Mass Effect 5 is at, Darrah says, which means "there is a need to find other work for them within the rest of the EA organization while the Mass Effect team figures out what Mass Effect is going to be, figures out the structure, and then gets ready to ramp up to a much bigger team size."

This situation could end up being a positive one overall, Darrah argues: "This might be great because what it means is that BioWare, for the first time really ever, is able to singularly focus on a single project, is able to put all of its tension on a single project, is able to put everything it has towards a single goal, which is making the best Mass Effect it possibly can." 

However, there's the potential problem of BioWare finding itself unable to reclaim the staff who've moved onto other EA projects when the time to ramp things up comes – be that because timings don't line up, or staff simply want to stay where they are – but obviously that remains to be seen. 

Though the game was announced years ago, details about the next Mass Effect remain incredibly light on the ground, which adds up with Darrah's suggestion that things aren't exactly running at full speed yet (although it's worth keeping in mind that this video was originally published in November for his channel members). There's still no telling when Mass Effect 5 may actually be released. 

As Dragon Age: The Veilguard director leaves and studio closure rumors surface, Mass Effect 5 director appears to hint the RPG is just fine: "Every week is a good week at work for me."

It's been a rather strange few days online for BioWare fans, with Dragon Age: The Veilguard's director confirmed to be leaving BioWare, and unconfirmed rumors that the developer's Edmonton studio could be closing. However, after some clarification from the Dragon Age director herself regarding her departure, some vague comments from the project director of Mass Effect 5 seemingly hint that fans of the sci-fi RPG series have nothing to worry about when it comes to the next game.

Corinne Busche had been at EA for over 18 years, but just a few months after the Dragon Age game she directed was released, she's off to a new role "in the CRPG space." In a statement sent to Eurogamer, she confirmed that her "departure was voluntary, as I have been presented with an opportunity I couldn't turn down," and said that she ultimately "did what I set out to do at BioWare. That is to come in and help right the ship." Before this, Eurogamer already claimed that BioWare had been unaffected by any other changes despite rumors that suggested otherwise – journalist Jeff Grubb separately stated that "I don't think EA is closing BioWare Edmonton" and "was told there is nothing solid about that part of the rumor."

Needless to say, you should certainly take the rumor with a pinch of salt, but if it'd left you concerned at all for the state of the next Mass Effect game, it appears that project director Michael Gamble has been offering some subtle reassurance that everything is going just fine with the upcoming sci-fi RPG. After simply stating "I love Mass Effect" on Twitter, one fan questions if that means he'd "hopefully had a good week at work?" To this, Gamble says: "Every week is a good week at work for me. [Mass Effect 5 producer] Brenon Holmes knows."

Gamble doesn't directly acknowledge Busche's departure from BioWare or the rumors about the developer's Edmonton studio, but he seems to be sending a pretty clear message that work on the next game is still going ahead as normal. Recent rumors aside, these sorts of messages are always nice to hear when details on the game itself have been so light on the ground in the years since we found out it was happening. Hell, we don't even know if it's actually called Mass Effect 5 yet. Here's hoping we'll get some more solid updates at some point soon. 

Dragon Age: The Veilguard went for stylized art, but Mass Effect 5 project director says the sci-fi RPG "is photorealistic and will be as long as I'm running it."

BioWare fans are theorizing that the next Mass Effect will bring back the iconic series' moral binary system, making players decide between Paragon (good-ish) and Renegade (bad-ish) choices in the game.

That's based on a potentially hidden detail spotted in one of the upcoming game's posters, as well as a new comment made by BioWare producer and Mass Effect 5 project director Michael Gamble.

BioWare first shared a poster of our faceless protagonist's silhouette on N7 Day in 2023, but as you can see in the embedded post below, eagle-eyed fans have finally sussed out that Mass Effect's Paragon and Renegade logos can be superimposed onto the image. Adding more fuel to the fire is Gamble's quotes from a couple of days ago, which seemingly kickstarted a fresh round of speculation.

"Yes, it’s true that more people played Paragon," he tweeted. "But, it would have been meaningless if Renegade had not existed. The ability to choose is stronger than the number of people playing any option." It would probably be odd if he didn't take that mindset to the game he's leading now.

The OG Mass Effect trilogy handled morality slightly differently than the studio's other big series, Dragon Age, by adopting more clear cut 'good' and 'bad' choices. Doing or saying something a little morally ambiguous - like punching an exploitative journalist - would net you Renegade points, while more empathetic dialogue options and decisions would give you Paragon points. Sliding far enough to either side of the spectrum would then open up especially devilish or gentle options.

 You can occupy the wait for the next Mass Effect with the 25 best RPGs available right now. 

Now that Dragon Age: The Veilguard is in players' hands, many BioWare fans are already looking ahead to what's to come with the developer's upcoming project Mass Effect 5. And BioWare project director and executive producer Michael Gamble recently shared a recommendation for what new fans should experience when getting into the sci-fi series - especially if you've been using the recent $5 steal on the Mass Effect Legendary Edition as a jumping-in point.

In a post on the social media site formerly known as Twitter, Gamble suggested fans should revisit the infamous Mass Effect 2 DLC Lair of the Shadow Broker. So far, details on the next Mass Effect are slim aside from a teaser poster and an early reveal trailer showing the familiar N7 logo and a returning Liara T'soni, which makes Lair of the Shadow Broker a particularly interesting suggestion.

As a refresher, Lair of the Shadow Broker is a DLC mission pack for Mass Effect 2 focusing on Liara T'Soni's quest to find and hunt down the elusive Shadow Broker, the leader of a mysterious black market organization with access to vital information that high-profile clients pay to gain access to. The DLC mission is perhaps best played as a post-game quest, which saw players reunite with Liara from the original Mass Effect, continuing her story and a possible relationship if players formed a bond with her previously.

What makes the Lair of the Shadow Broker mission so vital is that it carried over into Mass Effect 3, which saw – sorry for spoiling – Liara assume the role of the Shadow Broker and take over the organization in secret. Given that Liara is one of the characters highlighted in the Mass Effect 5 teaser and that she's become one of the most influential people in the galaxy in her new role, it should stand to reason that her part in the post-Reaper invasion of the galaxy will be a large one.

While some community members are still sore about Andromeda being left unresolved in favor of a sequel to the original trilogy, it is interesting to see BioWare looking to continue with threads and a new storyline following Mass Effect 3's still-controversial ending.

If you're looking for another RPG to play along with Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the Mass Effect series, check out our roundup of the best RPGs to play right now.

Worlds Untold, a new studio formed by Dragon Age and Mass Effect veteran Mac Walters, is pausing all operations and leaving its unannounced AAA sci-fi game on hold indefinitely.

Announcing the news in a recent LinkedIn post, Walters explains Worlds Untold's decision to pause work until the company finds "a new partner" in the future. "It's hard to find the right words for this," the unexpected announcement reads, "but I wanted to share that we've made the very difficult decision to pause operations at Worlds Untold while we search for a new partner to help bring our vision to life."

The company head then goes on to imply that the pause on operations is likely indefinite, as "team members will be exploring new opportunities." Walters clarifies that Worlds Untold isn't going away for good, however. "While we're pausing for now, this isn't goodbye," writes the developer, as "there's more to come, and we look forward to sharing the next chapter with you when the time is right."

News of Worlds Untold's indefinite pause on operations comes only a day after another studio led by a BioWare vet, Humanoid Origin, shut down after "an unexpected shortfall of funding" before ever revealing its debut title. Worlds Untold had also previously discussed its own first project, a new sci-fi game unlike Mass Effect or any of BioWare's iconic RPGs, but there's no telling what will come of the unfinished project now.

Explore the best BioWare games of all time.

Amazon MGM Studios is now developing a Mass Effect TV series written and executive produced by the writer of Fast and Furious 9.

The news was reported by Variety, and fortuitously comes on November 7, referred to as N7 Day and observed as a May the 4th-style fandom celebration day. The show is reportedly set to be written and executive produced by Daniel Casey, with additional executive production credits going to Karim Zreik of Cedar Tree Productions, Borderlands and Uncharted producer Ari Arad, and Mass Effect game head Michael Gamble.

No details on the actual content of the series have been revealed so far. The games focus on Commander Shepard, a character whose identity, backstory, and appearance are all determined by the player, as they recruit an ensemble cast of allies and travel the stars to stop an ancient threat from another galaxy. The outcome of the story depends largely on the choices players make along the way, so there's plenty of room for the show to find its own voice.

The announcement of this Mass Effect series comes after the success of the Fallout TV show, which takes place in the world of the games without directly adapting any existing storyline. Amazon's more recent Like a Dragon: Yakuza series adapts existing game stories, but hasn't met with nearly the same acclaim as Fallout. Still, it seems Amazon is keen to keep adapting games for television.

The last Mass Effect game, Andromeda, was released in 2017, and while developer BioWare has announced that Mass Effect 5 is in development, details on the game remain scant and there's no clear indication of when it might be released.

For more, check out our guide to the best shows on Amazon Prime, or stay up to date with a list of every upcoming video game movie you need to know about.

While today might be a "quieter" edition of Mass Effect's celebratory N7 Day, BioWare's promise of "a little fun" is already paying off. Three years after No Man's Sky pulled off one of the coolest gaming Easter eggs ever, the Normandy is returning to the galactic sandbox.

"In the intervening years since that event, we have welcomed a huge number of Travellers, not least a whole new cohort of Switch players and an increasingly large number of Chinese fans," No Man's Sky boss Sean Murray writes in the announcement. "Many of these new players have envied those who proudly displayed their Normandy in their frigate collection. Mass Effect fans know that this legendary frigate only appears when it is most needed! Today, and for the next two weeks, as a love letter from one science fiction game to another, we are giving everyone another chance to encounter the Normandy in an overhauled version of the original mission and add it to their collection." 

So, if you want to grab the Normandy for your own fleet, you'll need to do so before November 21. There are plenty of other reasons to dive into No Man's Sky as of today, too. Chief among them is cross-save, which is now going into beta. You can head to the official site and link your accounts there for now. "Participants in the beta will be able to upload and download saves from any connected platform via the in-game save screen," as Murray explains. "In the coming weeks, all players will be invited to do so."

Finally, if you're awaiting a PS5 Pro pre-order, Hello Games has just lifted the veil on what No Man's Sky's enhancements will look like on the console. You'll get PSSR upscaling for 60 FPS performance at 4K, alongside improved visual effects like lighting, reflections, and ambient occlusion. If you're one of the vanishingly small number of 8K TV owners, you'll also have access to an 8K 30 FPS mode with more pixels than you could ever dream. 

Anything to make the wait for Mass Effect 5 a little bit easier...

Dubbed a return to form for BioWare by critics, Dragon Age: The Veilguard only released a few days ago to patient fans after a decade of waiting for the RPG - and as the community is still exploring all the long-awaited game has to offer, BioWare says Mass Effect stans should expect a quieter N7 Day than usual this year.

Speaking in a recent post online, the beloved studio reveals that N7 Day likely won't be as big this time around due to the new Dragon Age entry's monumental launch. "We hope everyone is enjoying their time in Dragon Age: The Veilguard," writes BioWare. "It's only a few days until N7 Day and this year will be quieter because of launch. Be sure to check back then for a little fun, though!"

Project director and executive producer Michael Gamble confirms the same in his own post on the matter, saying that this year's N7 Day is "gonna be a quiet one" since "Veilguard just released so the focus is on Dragon Age." There's no telling what BioWare has in store for the day, even if it's a quiet one in comparison to its predecessors, as the company did hint at "a little fun" of some sort to come.

It's now November 7, but no news has popped up just yet - although admittedly, there's still plenty of time for it to drop. As a longtime fan of the developer myself, however, I'm not personally holding out for any Mass Effect 5 news today. I would recommend checking the recent Dragon Age out to fellow stans, though - as our own The Veilguard review describes, it's one of this year's new games you won't want to miss. 

Craving more BioWare-esque fun? Here are some of our favorite games like Dragon Age to play right now.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is here to satisfy one half of BioWare's rabid fanbase, but what of Mass Effect 5? If you were hoping for a big update on the sci-fi RPG this N7 Day, you should maybe place your expectations this year, as BioWare warns things are going to be a bit "quieter" this year.

"We hope everyone is enjoying their time in Dragon Age: The Veilguard," BioWare says in a tweet. "It’s only a few days until N7 Day and this year will be quieter because of launch. Be sure to check back then for a little fun, though!" N7 Day is, of course, on November 7, and a reference to the N7 military rank that appears in the series. It's become quite a date for BioWare to share news with series fans

In 2020, N7 day brought us the announcement of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition. In 2021, it revealed a new Mass Effect 5 image teasing the return of the Geth. In 2022, it was another ME5 teaser featuring a secret message from Liara. In 2023, things escalated even further with a mysterious video teaser for the new game that sent fan theories into overdrive.

If BioWare's downplaying this year's N7 Day already, I'd have to guess that the studio's not planning any big teaser for Mass Effect 5, though what that "little fun" might be remains to be seen. Mass Effect 5 was reportedly still in pre-production as of earlier this year, and there's only so much concept art you can show to people.

In a first for Dragon Age, The Veilguard director reiterates the RPG won't have DLC as BioWare pivots to work on Mass Effect 5.

Today in our ongoing series where we highlight small anecdotes about beloved games from developers on Twitter, we've got a humdinger: the origin of the infamous BioWare turn.

You might not immediately recognize the term "BioWare turn," but if you've played more than three seconds of a Mass Effect or Dragon Age game, you'll almost certainly have an inkling of what it is. A conversation ends, then a character dramatically turns their head to side, moves their shoulders to follow, and slowly walks out of the scene. It's all over those games, to the point where there are 10-minute-long supercuts of the animation appearing in each of the two RPG trilogies.

"I'm responsible for some of the 'Bioware Turns,'" Violet McVinnie, who served as a cinematic designer on Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age 2, and Dragon Age Inquisition, says on Twitter. "This anim is part of a set called 'Posebreakers' which are intended to move characters around the area if a scene is feeling too static. We'd combine them with the infamous 'Exit Left/Right' between cuts." 

McVinnie goes on to note that "many animations propagate through lots of Bioware franchises. ME3's Thane/Kai Leng fight cutscene has a lot of Jade Empire combat animations stitched together." If the DNA of these animations goes back that far, I can't help but hope at least a couple of them have been carried forward into Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Sure, some people might complain about reused content from old games, but the real BioWare fans will just be happy about the Easter egg.

Check out our Dragon Age: The Veilguard review for our full verdict on BioWare's latest. 

Mass Effect 5 is side-stepping the debate that Dragon Age: The Veilguard kicked up with its more stylized art by sticking to the sci-fi RPG's established look.

That comes from project director Michael Gamble, who has been talking to fans on Twitter following Dragon Age: The Veilguard's reviews going live. In reply to one person asking BioWare not to "Pixar" Mass Effect like it apparently did with Dragon Age, Gamble says there aren't any plans to change how the sci-fi RPG series approaches visuals.

"I'm not sure I agree with the Pixar thing, but Mass Effect is photorealistic and will be as long as I'm running it," he says.

More broadly, Gamble says that while Mass Effect and Dragon Age come from the same studio, they're different games requiring different handling.

"Lots of people asking me about Mass Effect now that Veilguard reviews are out, and Oct 31 is close," he says. "Both are from the studio, but Mass Effect is Mass Effect. How you bring a sci-fi RPG to life is different than other genres or IPs... and has to have different kinds of love."

Gamble also says he won't say much more for now but will say that, regarding tone, Mass Effect "will maintain the mature tone of the original trilogy."

Regardless of whatever the next Mass Effect game ends up being called, development has largely rumbled on behind the scenes aside from an odd tease on N7 Day, which just so happens to be November 7. Thankfully, "development has been proceeding very well," so hopefully it's not too long until we see more of it now that Dragon Age: The Veilguard is set to release.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard lead celebrates seeing one of his biggest goals for the RPG come true, as he admits it was "the greatest privilege and hardest dev cycle of my career."

Mass Effect and Metal Gear Solid icon Jennifer Hale has warned that "AI is coming for all of us," and asked that "If you use something that originated in our body or our voices, can we please get paid?"

In a new interview with Variety, Hale, who's gargantuan acting credits stretch all the way back to 1988, warns of the dangers of AI taking jobs away from not just voice actors, but other games industry professionals well. "AI is coming for all of us. Because the truth is, AI is just a tool like a hammer. If I take my hammer, I could build you a house. I can also take that same hammer and I can smash your skin and destroy who you are," the veteran actor said.

Video game actors under the SAG-AFTRA union have been on strike since July 26, chiefly striking against protection from AI. "Frankly, it’s stunning that these video game studios haven’t learned anything from the lessons of last year - that our members can and will stand up and demand fair and equitable treatment with respect to AI, and the public supports us in that," said SAG-AFTRA's national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.

Hale explains that the National Association of Voice Actors has gone before Congress with proposed bills, including the 'No Fakes Act.' This would protect actor's voice and visual likeness against generative AI, which can take someone's voice and physical identity, and create brand new speech and movements from scratch. Hale encourages everyone to call their representatives and ask that they vote in support of bills like this.

"If you use something that originated in our body or our voices, can we please get paid?" Because now you're using technology to take away our ability to feed our kids," Hale adds. "What I wish everyone would do was keep asking the actual question, which is, 'there’s a lot of money being made here. Where is it going?' And in the current setup, the way our system operates, and this whole idea of shareholder supremacy, it’s flowing to the 1%. If you flow so much money, you can’t even feed the people who made it possible," the veteran actor explains.

The Variety interview points out that, when recording the role of Naomi Hunter in the iconic Metal Gear Solid in 1998, Hale was paid just $1,200 for two recording sessions, while the game itself went on to gross around $176 million. 

Video game actors being woefully underpaid is nothing new, then, but others have been speaking up about monetary issues recently. Late last year for example, Baldur's Gate 3 actor Samantha Béart pointed out in a YouTube Q&A that around 98% of actors in the UK earn less than £20,000 a year from acting, and game actors, who don't earn royalties from their work, are in an even more precarious position.

As game actors strike for AI protections, Amazon Games boss says we need more AI and it's not "taking work away" because "for games, we don't really have acting."

You can get three entire Mass Effect games for $3 each right now on the PlayStation Store, in a deal that's almost too good to be true.

PlayStation has its big 'Summer Sale' running right now, wrapping up next month on August 1. As part of the massive sale, as spotted by the eagle-eyed Mass Effect fan in the tweet below, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is on sale for exactly $9. That's three ground-breaking RPGs for the equivalent of $3 each.

Seriously, this deal is so good that it's almost too good to be true. As the tweeter points out above, not only is this three genre-defining games in the RPG category for $9, but it also includes every add-on and expansion ever released by BioWare for the trilogy, which totals well over 40 pieces of individual DLC.

Hell, this is less than $1 per romance option throughout the original Mass Effect. And yes, I am going to categorize this astounding price like that, because I know exactly why a lot of Mass Effect players love the series, as does the Twitter user above: "You can bang hot aliens."

This is a damn good deal, but it probably won't have Mass Effect veteran Michael Gamble running to BioWare's sales team to make sure the price tag is correct, again. That's precisely what the series developer did when BioWare offered Mass Effect: Legendary Edition for $6 earlier this year, which is admittedly a fair bit less than the current price tag. 

Meanwhile, Mass Effect 5 rumbles on in the background of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which is out later this year.

The voice actor behind the male version of Commander Shepherd says he's not worried if you choose to play as FemShep instead, because he voices so many of the game's NPCs that you'll end up hearing him no matter who you pick.

Speaking to PC Gamer, Mark Meer said that when people tell him they've only played as 'his' version of Commander Shepherd, he hits back with "'why are you denying yourself the excellent performance of Jennifer Hale?'" Hale, of course, voices the female version of Shepherd, and while the majority of Mass Effect playthroughs opt for Meer's performance, FemShep has a noted cult popularity.

Beyond the chance to offer his support for Hale's performance, Meer has another reason for encouraging players to pick FemShep: Even if they don't hear his Shepherd, they'll almost certainly hear his voice somewhere else in the game. "I'm afraid you'll be forced to encounter me as Niftu Cal and Blasto and any vorcha you run into and various other things in the game."

Meer's full Mass Effect credits run to a total of four named NPC roles; Niftu Cal is a Volus who can be found in a Mass Effect 2 sidequest; Prazza is a quarian who's encountered in a similar way; the Vorcha are an entire species, all of whom are voiced by Meer; Blasto is a Hanar action hero who appears in several in-universe films. Meer also boasts 'additional voices' credits across all three games in the trilogy, with those voices also encompassing the vast majority of the Hanar species, as well as several more Volus.

It's not uncommon for voice actors to lend their talents to several roles in the same game, especially for sizeable RPGs like the Mass Effect series. It's a little more rare, however, for those RPGs to boast two protagonists, and for one of them to have left a bigger audio footprint on the game than the other. I'll confess to having only played Mass Effect as BroShep, but if I return to the series ahead of Mass Effect 5, I'll be sure to play as FemShep so that I can be on the lookout for Meer's other roles.

Mass Effect 5 is in good hands, as its director confirms the long-awaited RPG sequel is being led by four BioWare veterans.

Over a decade ago, between the launches of Mass Effect 2 and 3, fans got really invested in Tali'Zorah. The Quarian party member was always beloved, but by the sequels she'd become a romance option and the subject of even more affection - to the point that one fan used science to determine what her sweat would "smell and taste like." The results are the stuff of fandom legend, and the community still can't forget it all these years later.

The original post came from the now-defunct BioWare forums and has long since been lost to time, but it lives on in screencaps and copypastas. Community accounts of the whole thing it created suggest it all started around 2010, but I just learned about the sweat analysis thanks to Kala Elizabeth, a prominent Mass Effect content creator who just tweeted a screenshot of the whole thing.

In the post, a user named Thundertactics said that their analysis "started off as an analysis of Tali's sweat, trying to figure out what it'd smell and taste like." In Mass Effect lore, Quarians have very weak immune systems and tightly control their environments. So, Thundertactics says, "I quickly realized that most scents originate from bacteria, which would be minimal to non-existant for quarians."

Another component of sweat is a chemical called urea, which Thundertactics goes on to argue features chemical components including an addictive depressant, a "natural performance enhancer" that boosts testosterone and thus libido, and an amino acid that'd kill some odors.

So "we can tell that Tali would not smell nearly as bad as those filthy humans," Thundertactics says, arguing instead that "her sweat's a drug and a natural performance enhancer." I'll readily admit that my knowledge of chemistry is extremely limited, but it feels a little too convenient to believe your favorite video game crush might literally make you high and horny.

Looking up urea on Wikipedia just now, it seems that it's a very minor component of sweat, but a very large component of urine. Thus, it seems you'd get a much stronger version of the effect by drinking Tali's piss. Somehow that detail seemingly slipped Thundertactics' notice.

Anyway, this post quickly became legendary among Mass Effect fans, generating no end of debate and jokes. Eventually, it was even referenced in Mass Effect 3's Citadel DLC, in which a very drunk Tali randomly says, "It just smells like sweat. Why would you even ask that?"

Please, BioWare, get us some Mass Effect 5 info soon so the community can have something else to focus on. 

Another Dragon Age: Dreadwolf lead has departed BioWare.

As Eurogamer reported earlier today on January 23, BioWare veteran Mac Walters has officially departed the studio. Walters has been working at BioWare for an incredible 19 years, starting out with the developer by working on the original Jade Empire.

What Walters is undoubtedly known for with audiences around the globe, though, is the Mass Effect trilogy. Walters would go on to serve as lead writer for both Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, rounding out the trilogy as focal point for character development and story, two aspects of which BioWare's series is obviously beloved.

Walters would then go on to serve as the creative director on Mass Effect Andromeda, stepping up from his position as lead writer on the main trilogy. Next for the veteran came a role at the head of Anthem, BioWare's sadly ill-fated venture into the online multiplayer shooter space a few years after Mass Effect Andromeda.

Now though, Walters departs BioWare partway through the development of Dragon Age 4, a project on which he was production director. The long-awaited follow-up to 2014's Dragon Age: Inquisition, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is currently without a release date after years of development, and BioWare originally revealed it was in the middle of production as of last year in June 2022.

Unfortunately, Walters is the latest in a long line of high-profile departures from the Dragon Age: Dreadwolf development team. Executive producer Christian Daley departed the studio in early 2022, and the sequel's creative director departed the year prior in 2021. 

A previous report claimed Dragon Age: Dreadwolf would launch in 2023, although as the months tick by, there's ultimately less and less chance this materializes. 

Mass Effect's director is glad someone finally noticed how the game's opening mirrors Top Gun's.

On January 17, a Twitter user fondly recalled how Mass Effect's opening strangely apes Top Gun's introduction. The two openings, which you can see in the original tweet below, both open with a wall of text to set up their stories, explaining the efforts humanity has gone to in founding a new organization.

On January 18, former Mass Effect trilogy director Casey Hudson acknowledged the discovery, writing that he's been "waiting so long" for someone to finally notice the similarities between Mass Effect and the original Top Gun.

Perhaps it's only with Top Gun: Maverick reviving the 80s franchise that people are revisiting the original movie and realizing the similarities between it and Mass Effect. To be fair, who would've ever thought Mass Effect would deliberately look to Top Gun for inspiration?

No matter the circumstances, it's definitely strange that it took people 15 years to pick up on this detail. Then again, perhaps Mass Effect fans outside of the Twittersphere stumbled upon this discovery years ago, but this particular circle is only just now being alerted to it.

We can't help but wonder if BioWare's forthcoming Mass Effect 5 might open with a similar setup. Top Gun's opening is a painfully 80s creation, with synth beats rumbling away in the background while the opening text emerges. Is there a way the opening could be gracefully transitioned to a modern style?

Last we heard of the new Mass Effect game, fans were split on what new Mass Effect 5 artwork meant back in November 2022. 

A Mass Effect developer has shared a very fun video, showing two unlikely characters sharing a kiss that was made when Mass Effect 3 finished production.

Ex-Bioware dev Violet McVinnie took to Twitter to share a video of a unique tradition she used to have at the developer when production on a game finished. McVinnie said she’d throw a video together of what the game would look like if the characters would 'kiss and make up.'

And that’s just what the video shows, too. In an animation made during the end of Mass Effect 3’s production, McVinnie put together the video of male Commander Shepard running through various funny scenes (including an uncalled-for body check on James Vega), to reach The Illusive Man where, with Aerosmith’s I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing blaring, the two characters share a rather impassioned kiss. 

Commander Shepard and the Illusive Man share a rather complex relationship in the games, with the latter bringing the series protagonist back to life in the second game, but them being opposed ideologically. With the inclusion of Reaper indoctrination, the relationship eventually flies off the rails and has them up against each other, but maybe all they ever needed was to share a heated moment of passion to work out their differences. The games were always known for their romance options, after all…

This kind of in-joke from developers is always fun to see and makes you wonder what other kinds of fun animations have been made for internal use only. One would have to imagine there is some real fun gold out there, hidden behind closed doors.

As for the future, Mass Effect 5 is being worked on by Bioware. There's some speculation that Commander Shepard could return somehow, but what we know for sure is that it’s a single-player game and it will feature fan-favorite Liara. However, it doesn’t seem like we should expect it any time too soon, so for now, you’ll have to get your fill by watching Commander Shepard and the Illusive Man making out. 

Looking for a dense narrative experience to hold you over before Mass Effect 5? Check out our list of the best RPGs.

Details of Casey Hudson's pitch for the original Mass Effect game have popped up online.

Reportedly from September 2003, the pitch for the game then-known as SFX leaned on the Xbox 360's cutting-edge online capabilities, and talked of "an epic BioWare story" that would be "powerful and character-driven" from the team that developed Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic "making a bigger and better franchise".

"Following the success of KOTOR, Casey Hudson first pitched his idea for a new sci-fi IP in September 2003," tweeted the Twitter account, Mass Effect News, which shared the pitch. 

"Here are some early concept and plot outlines for the project, which was to be centered around story progression, planetary exploration, and online trading."

The sci-fi RPG was described as a "spectacular new sci-fi role-playing game", with "online capabilities and gameplay features that [would] redefine the genre".

Interestingly, the pitch document quite accurately foresaw that it would become a "mainstream phenomenon" and a "must-have game for the Xbox 2" - the Xbox 360, in other words.

"SFX takes place in a thrilling futuristic setting, with a combination of familiar locations and exotic worlds," it teases. "It is the dawn of the interstellar age, with only a few explored worlds and many more accessible via exploration.

"Sleek vehicles and spectacular vistas create a unique identifiable look to the universe, whilst special rendering techniques depict the player's experience with a stylish ultra-realism."

The pitch also goes on to detail how party and cooperative play would work, including the ability to switch party members "at any time" whilst AI companions would "perform player-designated actions". It also talked about Mass Effect's trading and planetary explorations, as well as a combat system that was described as featuring "dazzling combat choreography and intense ranged combat".

Did you catch the new piece of concept art that seems to be teasing one of the locations we'll be visiting when Mass Effect 5? 

As Dustin described so wonderfully at the time, both images depict "towering cityscapes bathed in sunset shades of yellow, orange, and red. In one image, a turian, salarian, and krogan are all depicted wearing breathing masks".

Fans are split on what these images depict, however. Some think they have connections with the asari as the architecture and lighting look quite similar to the asari homeworld, Thessia, which you may recall from our time with Mass Effect 3. It also looks a lot like Illium, the asari corporate colony where we're reintroduced to Liara in Mass Effect 2. Where do you think it may be?

Did you know George Clooney helped inspire Shepard's face in Mass Effect?

Here are all the new games of 2023 (and beyond).

Another bit of concept art seems to be teasing one of the locations we'll be visiting when Mass Effect 5 finally launches.

The images were initially revealed as part of N7 Day (on November 7, naturally), but they got a new round of scrutiny over the weekend when they were re-shared by the official Mass Effect Twitter account. Both images depict towering cityscapes bathed in sunset shades of yellow, orange, and red. In one image, a turian, salarian, and krogan are all depicted wearing breathing masks.

Fans are split on what these images depict, but many of the most likely options have pretty close connections with the asari. The architecture and lighting look quite similar to the asari homeworld, Thessia, which we visited in Mass Effect 3. It also looks a lot like Illium, the asari corporate colony where we're reintroduced to Liara in Mass Effect 2.

Liara likely has some connection to the location in the images, as her line from the big N7 Day teaser was quoted in project director Mike Gamble's initial post for one of them. There, Liara is credited as "doctor, Shadow Broker, and redacted," hinting at some sort of mysterious new role for her in the upcoming game.

But there are also other possibilities. Many fans have speculated this might be the Omega space station. The idea seemed a bit improbable to me, until fans started comparing the signage in one of the images to some storefronts from Omega in Mass Effect 2 - they're identical. If it is Omega, it's vastly expanded since its appearance in the previous games, lending credence to a theory that the upcoming game will feature a major time skip after the trilogy.

The reality, of course, is that even BioWare might still be undecided on what this concept art represents. The devs have been clear that they're still "envisioning" the next Mass Effect, and anything appearing in concept art could certainly change before release - though if BioWare is confident enough to be showing this sort of stuff to the public, it's probably safe to expect they're similarly confident it will be part of the game.

Did you know George Clooney helped inspire Shepard's face in Mass Effect?

Games like Mass Effect can offer up engrossing experiences, with strong character progression, dialogue choices, and sometimes a dash of romance. BioWare's beloved series has long been counted among some the best space games out there, with the original trilogy also being home to some the best game stories.

If you find yourself searching for something similar to dive into, then some of the best RPGs around are well worth considering - even if some aren't set in space. Whether you're looking for more adventures with memorable characters, you want to get stuck into more action, or you're looking to explore, there's plenty out there for you.

As our Mass Effect Legendary Edition review will tell you, the Mass Effect series speaks to BioWare's strengths, with excellent world-building, characters you care about, engaging storylines, and plenty of role-play goodness. And while we await Mass Effect 5, now's a great time to see what else is out there that you might enjoy.

Read on below as we take you through our pick of the best games like Mass Effect to get swept up in.

10. Starfield

Developer: Bethesda
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S

If you're looking for more space-faring adventures, Bethesda's sprawling, galaxy-spanning RPG could just be the ticket. As a member of the Constellation, you set out in search of answers, but outside of the core story, there are lots of worlds to explore. Those who enjoy venturing to alien worlds with companions at your side will also be happy to know that you can also take to the stars with some company. With a host of different followers to get to know and bring along with you, there's also the chance for some romance if you want to develop a relationship with them - although it's not as in depth as Mass Effect in that regard.

Plus, if you adored being aboard the Normandy and having a place to call your own in space, Starfield allows you to buy new ships that you can alter to your liking, or even build your own from scratch with its ship builder mechanics. It's not as linear as the later Mass Effect games, of course, but there's plenty here that might speak to you if you're looking to dive into another adventure in space. And with the Starfield Shattered Space expansion and a slate of updates, now's a great time to consider giving it a go.

For more, check out our Starfield review.

9. Prey

Developer: Arkane Studios
Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One

One of the sleeper hits of the PS4/Xbox One generation was Prey, a game that has a die-hard community of loyal fans, just like Mass Effect. Prey is interesting because it has a dynamic world that encourages exploration and experimentation with its mechanics. And, much like Mass Effect, Prey features numerous choice-driven scenarios that impact the outcome of the game.

Once again, the story in Prey is excellent, with certain story beats that rival even some of the best films out there. It’s a moody, creepy, space game that will likely make you think. Prey is certainly a lot darker and scarier than Mass Effect, but if you’re looking for something unique, while borrowing some familiar mechanics from other space games, you should absolutely give it a try.

For more, check out our Prey review.

8. Fallout: New Vegas

Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Available on: PC, PS4 (PS Now), Xbox One

While Fallout: New Vegas might not resemble Mass Effect in aesthetics, the two have a lot more in common than you might think. Fallout: New Vegas is arguably a more polished version of the acclaimed Fallout 3, with lots of branching paths, memorable characters, and quests to embark on. If you’re a fan of Mass Effect’s RPG elements, you’ll be right at home with Fallout: New Vegas.

This game allows you to build your character exactly how you'd like, with lots of opportunities for replayability. You won’t save the galaxy in Fallout: New Vegas, but it does offer an engaging story that will likely sink its teeth in you. It’s remarkable how well this game holds up, considering it's a decade old at this point.

See why it comes out on top in our ranking of the best Fallout games.

7. Greedfall

Developer: Spiders
Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Much like other entries on this list, Greedfall is an action RPG that prioritizes player choice. In Greedfall, you're able to develop relationships with different factions, and the one you side with changes the outcome of the story. In fact, there are multiple endings that are both worth experiencing, so it's well worth playing through multiple times.

Greedfall differs from Mass Effect in that it focuses more on melee combat instead of shooting, but the action is compelling and will probably keep you engaged. Tying the whole thing together is a story that has its fair share of twists and turns - perfect for those looking for an interesting narrative.

6. Destiny 2

Developer: Bungie
Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Sure, Destiny 2 is a live-service shooter that doesn’t seem to have a lot in common with Mass Effect, but after spending time with both series, the similarities are clear. One thing both share is a satisfying progression system, leaning hard into the RPG mechanics that let you create the character you want.

And of course, Destiny 2 allows you to explore various unique planets - each with numerous resources to uncover. While the original Destiny was criticized for its narrative, its sequel was much better received in this regard. It’s nowhere near as compelling as Mass Effect, but it's enjoyable enough to warrant a playthrough, for sure.

For more, check out our Destiny 2 Final Shape review.

5. Cyberpunk 2077

Developer: CD Projekt Red
Available on: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

You may not be venturing through the stars and meeting (or maybe smooching) aliens that inhabit the universe, but Cyberpunk 2077 is a immersive RPG that you might very enjoy when you're ready to step away from Mass Effect. With the chance to create your own custom character in merc V, you'll get swept up in a memorable adventure across the Night City with a rocker by the name of Johnny Silverhand for company.

Not unlike Mass Effect, you'll meet a host of different characters in the world, and you can even form a romantic relationship with a handful of people you meet if you so wish. With plenty of role-play goodness in store, you can also shape your V to your perferred playstyle in combat and pick dialogue options that let you inject some personality and play to your strengths. With a slate of updates and the Phantom Liberty expansion, there's never been a better time to give it a go.

For more, check out our Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty review.

4. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Developer: Ubisoft
Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One

The later Assassin's Creed games doubled down on the RPG systems, giving you more agency over how you build your character. Mass Effect has similar features in place, offering numerous ways to play, and a slew of weapons at your disposal. Assassin's Creed Odyssey is one of the best in the series and is the second entry to truly feel like an RPG (after Origins).

It's built similarly to Mass Effect, with quests, side-quests, optional romances, lots of different gear, and even includes dialogue options. The various dialogue selections might not be as impactful as they are in Mass Effect, but they function in a similar way - making this game a great alternative after you've finished Shepard's adventures.

For more, read our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review.

3. Baldur's Gate 3

Developer: Larian Studios
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

While you won't be able to scratch your space or sci-fi itch with Larian's fantasy RPG, Baldur's Gate 3, has a lot of ingredients that may speak to you if you're a big fan of the Mass Effect series. Shepard's adventures deliver some of the best game stories around, along with strong character development and worldbuilding. Similarly, Baldur's Gate 3 also takes you through an engrossing story, which is yours to mold and shape with a host of choices and approaches at your disposal. And not entirely unlike the way to flesh out Shepard through the classes and military profile, you can also select from a myriad of classes, subclasses, and races for your lead protagonist in Larian's RPG.

Baldur's Gate 3 also features a cast of loveable characters you'll enjoy getting to know, and who will fight and journey alongside you as you head out in the Sword Coast. Just like Mass Effect, you also form romantic relationships if you want to, and each companion has their own story to tell. While the combat is quite different since it plays to D&D rules, and the choices can hinge on a dice roll, there's so much here that you're likely love if you enjoy BioWare's RPGs.

For more, read our Baldur's Gate 3 review.

2. Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Developer: BioWare
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

BioWare's latest RPG, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, is a great option for anyone out there that's looking for more games like Mass Effect. Not only does it feature a lot of the same elements as the space-faring RPGs, but it also draws inspiration from Mass Effect 2 for its approach to some of its quests. In fact, there's a lot of similarities when it comes to overall structure, too. With a cast of companions you can get to know and romance, you set off to face ancient elven gods and go up against impossible odds together. Naturally that means there are some risks involved, not unlike the memorable suicide mission in ME 2.

And scaling back from the open-world approach of Dragon Age: Inquisition, The Veilguard spins a more linear story that takes you to different open-zone locations. As the same developer behind both RPG series, it's well worth checking out anyone of the Dragon Age games if you haven't already, but The Veilguard has a lot of ingredients that tap into the Mass Effect series strengths.

Read our Dragon Age: The Veilguard review for more.

1. The Outer Worlds

Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

The Outer Worlds shares similarities with many beloved franchises, but it’s hard to overlook how much it has in common with Mass Effect, specifically. Most notably, The Outer Wilds sends you to a slew of planets to meet various characters who have a wide range of personalities. Choice is at the heart of this game, much like Mass Effect, so you’ll have plenty of reasons to replay it multiple times.

It’s got a little bit of everything - action, a witty, lovable cast, and a story that you’ll likely fall in love with. One thing The Outer Worlds does fantastically is the way it encourages exploration, with tons of items and resources hidden around every nook and cranny. This is not one to skip if you have to have more Mass Effect in your life.

For more check out our The Outer Worlds review.

If you're a fan of BioWare, it could also be worth checking out games like Dragon Age.

The Mass Effect 5 teaser video released by developer BioWare yesterday has been decoded, and it features a secret message from Liara.

As spotted by our friends at PC Gamer, there's a lot more to the vague teaser that BioWare released in honor of N7 Day. In case you missed it, yesterday the official Mass Effect Twitter account shared a video with the caption: "Happy N7 Day from across the stars! We found this interesting footage you may want to [magnifying glass emoji] a bit more closely."

At first glance, there really isn't much to go off of in the video. This didn't stop Soundcloud user Mosaic Horse from digging deeper into the teaser though, and uncovering what is assumed to be a secret message from Dr. Liara T'Soni from the original Mass Effect trilogy. In Mosaic Horse's sound clip we can hear: "Exactly, the council will be furious, although they should know by now not to underestimate human defiance."

If you're a big enough Mass Effect fan, we're sure you can tell it's Liara just from hearing voice actor Ali Hillis alone. However, it was later confirmed by project director at BioWare Michael Gamble on Twitter that this is in fact Liara after he tweeted the exact quote and credited it to the character in question. 

A few hours after fans went to the effort of figuring out the teaser, BioWare actually released a "clean transmission" of the video which features the exact same voice line heard in Mosaic Horse's file. Which pretty much confirms that the theories were correct. 

Although a fun activity for those celebrating N7 Day, the teaser doesn't give us much to go on in terms of the future of the Mass Effect series, or more specifically, Mass Effect 5. We did however get a separate tidbit of information from BioWare who said in a blog post that Mass Effect 5 is still in pre-production but "proceeding very well."

Speaking of that vague teaser, Mass Effect 5's intriguing relay footage has my mind reeling.

Mass Effect's Commander Shepard was loosely inspired by George Clooney, a developer on the first game has revealed. 

Speaking to TechRadar Gaming, Derek Watts, who worked as an art director on the Mass Effect series, has shed some light on how the look of the iconic character came together.

"We had [the design] up to a certain point, but it wasn't quite there. So we opened it up to the team," Watts recalls. "There are a lot of people that took it seriously, and a lot of people didn't," Watts continues before going on to recount how one member of the team thought that Shepard should have the head of a "rugby team player" with their face "all bashed up with tape on their ear." 

One person who did understand the assignment at BioWare, though, was level artist Mike Jeffries who suggested that the commander should have George Clooney's head. "It was a good picture, he darkened the armor and then he put this little logo on the chest." 

The art director continues: "That for us, as we showed people, we were like, 'OK, this is going in the right direction.' Not because of George Clooney, but a bit of that look – the short hair, square jaw." So next time you're playing Mass Effect, take a good look at Commander Shepard and see if you can see traces of the Ocean's Eleven actor in him. 

If you're also taking part in N7 Day today - aka a day to celebrate the Mass Effect series - it's probably a good idea to get up to date on all things Mass Effect 5. We haven't seen much about the next Mass Effect title since its reveal in 2020, and it still doesn't have a firm release date yet. But what we did recently find out is that BioWare is still "envisioning" Mass Effect 5, but it knows it's a single-player game.

Still haven't found the perfect follow-up game? Take a look at our games like Mass Effect list for ideas on what to play next.

For years, BioWare was perhaps the most glaring omission in my gaming library. It was never a conscious effort; Fallout: New Vegas and Skyrim shoulder some of the blame for their domination of my formative sci-fi and fantasy RPG experiences, but it's also a question of timing. I was too young for the first games in each series, and mired in student debt by the time their latest outings rolled around. As Mass Effect: Andromeda struggled and Anthem fell, it became easier to consign the studio to 'has-been' status, a forgotten gem tarnished with time.

But then came Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, and a chance for fans to step back on board the Normandy, the jank of 2007 largely ironed out. Even for three decade(ish)-old games, the $60 bundle seemed like a pretty good deal, and my interest in the series was piqued. I then swiftly proceeded to entirely forget about it until this summer, when Prime Gaming gave it away for free.

It was a tricky start. Even with a fresh coat of paint, the original Mass Effect couldn't hide the rougher edges caused by its relative age. For better and worse, I was reminded of another 2007 RPG - The Witcher. Geralt's interactive debut has aged far worse than Shepard's first adventure, but the hardware limitations resulted in some similarly clunky dialogue and scene transitions. In many ways, it seemed like both BioWare and CDPR had overshot, attempting to draw sprawling narratives, deep character relationships, and complex combat into a system stretching at the seams to contain them all.

For their faults, both games retain devoted audiences, and with Mass Effect it was easy to see why. Having the Normandy as my base of operations  brought the fantasy of Star Trek's Enterprise or Doctor Who's Tardis to life. Shepard could explore the galaxy, complete their  mission, move onto the next with their  crew and their  ship by their side. Every time I set foot on a new planet, there was a sense of trying to achieve something specific, that each part of this galactic whole could yield something new and exciting. Choices mattered, your crew mattered, and even as Mass Effect strained against its hardware, it was easy to understand why this series meant so much to its fans.

Getting calibrated

All that made stepping into Mass Effect 2 a joy. After that gut-wrenching opening, it was clear from the start that this was a step up in almost every way. That galaxy-spanning fantasy was expanded into something matched only a handful of times since - I spent far too long trawling the outer edges of the Milky Way, hoovering up whatever resources or distress calls I could. Streamlined combat brought my Infiltrator Shepard new relevance, hundreds of mercs falling to the satisfying clunk of my rifle. Omega and Ilium showed off the breadth of BioWare's world design, two dramatically different yet equally lifelike, equally important areas of civilization in a lonely galaxy.

But Mass Effect 2 would be nothing without your crew. From the outset, its Rogue's Gallery is the jewel in its narrative crown, a line drawing you ever onwards to the game's dreaded but inevitable final act. Mordin was one of my earlier recruits, but even by the time I'd discovered him and his delightfully distracted chattering, I knew I'd want to see everything ME2 could offer. Even Zaeed, whose aggressive, trigger-happy attitude was antithetical to everything my Shepard (Paragon, of course) stood for, got his companion quest. My only regret is that it felt as though there wasn't enough time to get to know the whole gang. I preferred to play with Biotics as a crowd-control complement to my sniper tactics, so I often headed into battle with Jack, Miranda, or Samara by my side. That made it harder to find time to spend with some of my other favourites; at least Garrus, Mordin, Grunt, and Kasumi are ripe for a second playthrough.

Entering the relay

When I finally reached Mass Effect 2's climax, I was genuinely worried. The Suicide Mission's reputation precedes it; to this day, it's held up as one of the series' best moments, maybe one of the best individual missions of the last decade. While I knew it was coming, I still wasn't prepared for the dread I felt at every cutscene, knowing a single misstep  - potentially made a dozen hours back - could cost me a companion. In reality, I got through almost unscathed, one single supporting cast member succumbing to a tiny, frustrating mistake. As I returned to the bridge after the credits had rolled, the absence of that minor figure still came as a gut punch, testament to the depth of BioWare's character design.

As I start my journey through Mass Effect 3, I'm firmly a convert. Linking back up with Ashley and Liara feels like being back among friends, and while I'm aware of the scepticism that some have for the trilogy's finale, I'm looking forward to skirting the Reapers as I delve into another BioWare galaxy and building connections to a brand-new Normandy crew. Beyond that, Andromeda beckons, and while I'll probably never venture to Anthem, even Dragon Age appeals in a way it never did before. As I write this ahead of the first N7 day I get to appreciate as a fan - and as Mass Effect 5 looms over the event horizon - I'm fascinated to see what BioWare will show us next. 

Mass Effect 5 is officially on the way, and as a longtime BioWare fan, I've brought together absolutely everything we know so far about the next entry in one place right here.

Mass Effect 5 was first confirmed back in 2020, but we're still likely going to be in for quite a wait before the new game arrives. With some cryptic teasers dropping during N7 days past – which included some artwork and a curious trailer with a transmission – there are still so many questions about the upcoming RPG. But from the sounds of it, those questions will probably stay unanswered for some time yet. Early last year, Mass Effect 5 was in the pre-production phase amid reported layoffs following the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Then, publisher EA went into $20 billion debt as part of its $55 billion buyout, and things went a bit quiet on the Mass Effect 5 front.

But after a fan asked why we haven't had an update for some time, project director Mike Gamble recently said more hasn't been shown off as the team is busy working away on the project. So, while you can expect to be in for a wait until the next Mass Effect arrives, I've broken down everything that's been shown and speculated on so far when it comes to Mass Effect 5 below, with some pretty interesting theories included about where it may lead us whenever it arrives.

Release date speculation

The question we all want an answer to is, of course, 'when can we expect to see the next Mass Effect adventure arrive?' Well, we probably won't be seeing an official Mass Effect 5 release date for quite some time.

Initially, it was revealed that Mass Effect 5's development reportedly wouldn't begin in full until 2023, but a blog post came in January 2025 detailing a studio restructure "between full development cycles", reportedly resulting in layoffs, following the launch of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

"We have worked diligently over the past few months to match many of our colleagues with other teams at EA that had open roles that were a strong fit," the post read.

The focus is now fully on Mass Effect, but with it in pre-production at the start of 2025, it seems safe to assume we won't be seeing the new entry for a long time yet. In fact, executive producer Michael Gamble shared via social media that the team is currently too busy to give any teasers as of April 2026. So, I personally don't foresee any kind of release date announcement for a good few years.

Mass Effect 5 gameplay

Mass Effect 5 will be a single-player game

In the last Alpha milestone update for Dragon Age: The Veilguard before the game was released in 2024, BioWare touched on the new Mass Effect game and its commitment to making it a single-player experience.

"We have a team hard at work envisioning what the future holds for a new single-player Mass Effect game," general manager Gary McKay noted towards the end of the post.

The Mass Effect series has always been single-player for the most part, with the exception of a multiplayer experience in Mass Effect 3, which was actually pretty darn fun (and ended up being omitted from the Mass Effect Legendary Edition release). Still, it's good to have single-player confirmed, especially in light of EA's push for live service games in the past.

First Mass Effect teaser trailer

The 'next Mass Effect teaser trailer' breakdown 

During The Game Awards 2020, BioWare dropped the very first Mass Effect 5 trailer (which you can watch above)… and holy Liara T'Soni was it quite the reveal. Running at just under two minutes, fans were quick to dig into every second of footage shown to try and piece together what it might mean for the future of the franchise.

BioWare project director Michael Gamble caused a lot of excitement when he said, "there's a lot to unpack" on Twitter, and the Mass Effect fan base erupted with interesting theories and thoughts about what the trailer may be hinting at.

Firstly, you can hear the very recognizable horn of a Reaper ring out during the opening sequence. Later on, eagle-eyed fans also noticed you can spot the silhouette of a Reaper in the background as a mysterious figure (who turns out to be Liara) walks through a snowy landscape.

Gamble confirmed you do in fact see Reapers in the trailer, so we're likely seeing the remnants of what was left behind after the final showdown with Shepard in Mass Effect 3.

Mass Effect 5 Liara T'Soni

The presence of Liara in Mass Effect 5 is also very interesting. There is a lot of speculation surrounding whether the area we see Liara in is in the Milky Way, given that she uncovers some N7 armor. Some have even been theorizing that she's in fact on Earth, which may suggest that the next adventure is likely a direct sequel.

There's also a lot of substantial theories around the possibility that the upcoming game is in some way tied to Mass Effect: Andromeda. If it is, it could give us an idea of the timeframe the next adventure will take place in. Andromeda is set some 600 years after Mass Effect 3, and interestingly, you can even listen to voice recordings from Liara in Andromeda that she recorded for Ryder's father before the family made the cryo-jump to the Andromeda Galaxy.

The very first time Ryder takes off in the Tempest ship, "godspeed," is said over comms, which can be heard in the trailer. Gamble also confirmed on Twitter this was "intentional," which has also added more credence to the idea that the next adventure will be linked to Andromeda. Prior to the release of the trailer, many believed it was connected to Andromeda because of the official artwork that was released on N7 Day in the blog post announcement.

The concept art titled "Mud Skipper" (which you see just above) shows the silhouette of four figures, one of which has the same build as the Angara, which is a race we first encounter in Andromeda. Could it actually be Jaal? There also appears to be a Salarian and Drell, but who they are is currently unknown. The very same image can be seen for a moment when we see Liara turn and smile in the trailer, suggesting she could have been the fourth figure on the far left of the original image.

Since Liara is an Asari, she has a long life span (of up to a thousand years), so it would also make sense for her to be still knocking around long after Shepard. For now, all we can do is speculate about where Mass Effect 5 will sit in the timeline, but there's certainly plenty of food for thought out there.

N7 Day 2023 and 2024

2023's N7 Day (on November 7) brought us some new info for the next Mass Effect - well sort of. Over the course of a few hours, BioWare drip-fed snippets of footage which led up to the reveal of the above 34-second teaser trailer.

It was initially pitched as a countdown for "Mass Effect Epsilon" - which just so happens to be the number five - but then the teasers evolved to be titled other things like 'Defiance' and 'Post-Nebula' , with notes of access codes of "Oculon-2819-Defiance". That 2819 reference makes us think this will be when the game is set. Could 2819 be the year they arrived in Andromeda?

Within all the accompanying text, there were a few interesting notes:

• /////ANDROMEDA DISTRESS SIGNAL DETECTED
• /////AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: ALTHOUGH THEY SHOULD KNOW BY NOW NOT TO UNDERESTIMATE HUMAN [REDACTED]
• /////CLASSIFIED: REVIEW BRIEFING MATERIALS ON OFFICIAL ALLIANCE COMMS CHANNELS
• /////SECURITY BREACH DETECTED /////CONTACT SYSTEMS ALLIANCE
• /////EPSILON-OCULON-NEBULA

References to Andromeda is immediately interesting, both for the Mass Effect game of the same name, and the planetary system itself. Then the references to the Alliance seem to suggest that will be a core focus for the story.

The N7 Day 2023 teaser eventually showed a helmeted figure - fairly feminine in outline - wearing a quilted N7 jacket with a Cyberpunk-worthy collar, which everyone on the Subreddit is calling very Daft Punk. She pulls out a gun and heads out of the building towards an open area that seems to be very dusty or sandy, with golden hues.

The trailer was also accompanied by new Mass Effect art - the full-resolution version you can see below and zoom right in.

Within that coat, you can see a number of other characters in a bar of some kind - possibly Afterlife on Omega - including Geth, Salarian, Asari, Human, Angaran, Turian, Krogan, and Hanar.

Fan theories circulated that the image could point towards the return of the Paragon and Renegade morality system, and the red and blue with the outline of the symbols does appear to hint at that.

N7 Day 2024 was then prefaced with BioWare confirming it would "be quieter", with the focus remaining on the then newly released Dragon Age: The Veilguard. And indeed, we didn't learn anything new about Mass Effect 5, with Veilguard instead getting some free cosmetic N7 Day armor that brings a splash of Mass Effect to Rook's adventures.

Mass Effect 5 developer

Who's making the new Mass Effect game?  

The new Mass Effect game is being made by a "veteran team" at BioWare. Shortly after the release of the teaser trailer, BioWare project director Michael Gamble highlighted some of the names returning to help create the next step in the franchise on Twitter.

For starters, Dusty Everman has rejoined the development team as a principal narrative designer. Gamble mentions that Everman was one of the key contributors when it came to bringing the Normandy ship to life and was previously a senior level designer at BioWare. Parrish Ley, who previously worked as a cinematic director for the Mass Effect Trilogy, is also returning to bring "his vision" to the new adventure, along with longtime BioWare programmer and technical designer Brenon Holmes and original Mass Effect art director, Derek Watts.

In the BioWare blog post detailing the studio restructuring, which came in January 2025, some of the aforementioned names were highlighted among the "core team":

"A core team at BioWare is developing the next Mass Effect game under the leadership of veterans from the original trilogy, including Mike Gamble, Preston Watamaniuk, Derek Watts, Parrish Ley, and others".

Mass Effect 5 concept art

Mass Effect 5 art released so far

Revealed as part of N7 Day 2021, this Mass Effect poster came out, teasing the next game. Not only does that crater look a heck of a lot like a Geth helmet, but if you zoom in on those teenie figures, one appears to be wearing Krogan armor.

Interestingly, in January 2022, BioWare GM Gary McKay revealed in a post on the BioWare blog that the poster contains "a handful of hidden treats", including "at least five surprises, all of which point to an amazing future in the Mass Effect universe".

Of course, McKay doesn't go into detail about what any of those are, but does add that he's seeing "some incredible work from both teams", speaking of the Mass Effect and Dragon Age development crew.

On N7 Day in 2022 (November 7), we then got a handful of Mass Effect 5 images that obviously made fans start diving deep into theories as to what they could mean. Both images can be seen above, showing off ships flying over futuristic cityscapes, with one featuring a Turian in the bottom right corner. Most people are convinced that the cities have Asari connections, as the lighting and architecture have definite vibes of the Asari homeworld, Thessia, which we visited in Mass Effect 3.

It also looks a lot like Illium, the Asari corporate colony where we're reintroduced to Liara in Mass Effect 2. Interestingly, those images were accompanied by the video below, which the community proceeded to decode:

It very much sounds like the voice of Liara T'Soni, the Asari from the original trilogy that has seemingly appeared in other teases for the next Mass Effect game.

Want more future titles? Check out our roundups of all of the upcoming PS5 games, upcoming PC games, and upcoming Xbox Series X games.

It seems Mass Effect 5 is still in the pre-production phase, but developer BioWare is committing to it being a single-player game.

"We have a team hard at work envisioning what the future holds for a new single-player Mass Effect game," as BioWare general manager Gary McKay says in a small note at the end of its latest update on Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.

EA's historic push toward multiplayer and live-service titles have made players skeptical about new entries in beloved single-player franchises from its studios, though the success of games like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and the promise of titles like the Dead Space remake suggest there's room for solo titles there. Either way, BioWare's emphasis on calling the new Mass Effect 'single-player' is clearly intentional.

McKay also says the studio looks forward "to celebrating our community on N7 Day next month." N7 Day, of course, takes place on November 7. Last year, BioWare published a teaser image of the new Mass Effect for N7 Day, and while we could certainly get a similar sort of look at the game this year, you should probably keep your expectations modest - especially if the new game is still in the 'envisioning' phase.

Last year, some insider reporting suggested that development on the new Mass Effect won't start "in full" until 2023, and that matches up with this wording from BioWare. It's safe to expect that it's going to be a long time before we'll be able to get our hands on the next entry in the sci-fi RPG franchise.

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf has hit alpha, which means BioWare is able to play it from start to finish.