A trailer for Mass Effect 5 intended solely for internal use at BioWare has leaked online, providing a glimpse into the project before its cancellation. IGN has verified the trailer's authenticity, which appeared on Reddit shortly after EA's announcement of the game's termination and the closure of its developer.
The trailer opens with a disclaimer stating, "The following is in-engine footage from our small team. It uses our pre-production assets." It features a variety of familiar elements from the Mass Effect series, including established weaponry, alien species, and iconic locations like Mass Effect relays, space travel sequences, and a nightclub. A galaxy map is also visible within the player's ship.
According to the trailer's narrative, players would have assumed the role of a former military operative engaged in a new line of work focused on proactive threat neutralization. The footage also shows an older Liara T'Soni assisting the player character during a bar altercation.
BioWare had spent several years hinting at the setting and narrative for the next Mass Effect installment. It was previously confirmed that Mass Effect 5 would be set hundreds of years after the events of Mass Effect 3, with a story that recenters the franchise in the Milky Way galaxy following the defeat of the Reapers.
Following the news of the cancellation, several individuals who worked on Mass Effect 5 have spoken about the game's development. Catherynne M. Valente, a writer on the project, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the team "did figure it out" and were working on "a great game." Cinematic supervisor Tony de Waal, who was laid off from BioWare, described the game on LinkedIn as potentially offering "a level of autonomy and choice that no other game has been able to match," aiming to elevate the Mass Effect experience while remaining true to the original trilogy.
Reports also indicate that a trailer for Mass Effect 5 was complete prior to the game's cancellation. This was initially suggested in a Reddit post by an alleged EA employee who expressed surprise at EA's description of the game being in "early development." This contradicts EA's official statement in a memo to staff, which mentioned Mass Effect 5 was in "early-development" and cited the decision not to proceed as a reason for closing BioWare's Edmonton studio.
Bloomberg reports that approximately 50 staff were working on Mass Effect 5 at the time of the studio's closure. This decision comes after the 2024 launch of Dragon Age: The Veilguard reportedly failed to meet EA's sales expectations. The studio closure is part of broader layoffs affecting around 400 jobs at EA.
The cancellation of Mass Effect 5 and the closure of BioWare occur shortly before the annual N7 Day on November 7. Last year, Mike Gamble, executive producer of Mass Effect at BioWare, expressed excitement about the game's ongoing development and the related Amazon TV series, stating EA and BioWare's commitment to further storytelling within the universe. Fans had anticipated updates on Mass Effect 5 during N7 Day, but this now appears unlikely. Gamble's recent cryptic response to a fan asking about N7 Day announcements suggests a somber outlook for the franchise's future.