A trailer for a fifth entry in the Mass Effect universe, believed to have been titled "Mass Effect Universe," has begun circulating online following the recent closure of BioWare by EA. The trailer has not been officially confirmed by BioWare representatives, but reporting from Bloomberg's Jason Schreier and IGN suggests the footage is legitimate. Schreier, who accurately reported on the layoffs that led to BioWare's shutdown, has stated the trailer is real, and IGN has also confirmed its authenticity.
The trailer, described as in-engine pre-production assets, does not showcase gameplay. Instead, it features a CG cutscene. The footage depicts a new protagonist interacting with an asari woman in a bar. As he recounts his experiences as a soldier and spy tracking conflicts, the asari woman reveals she has been "starting the fires." She is then confronted by another woman who lowers her hood to reveal herself as Liara T'Soni, a prominent character from the Mass Effect series. The trailer concludes with Liara and the protagonist teaming up to neutralize the woman and her associates using firearms and telekinetic abilities, before the game's title appears.
EA confirmed the closure of BioWare this week, which resulted in approximately 400 layoffs. The studio was responsible for numerous acclaimed titles, including the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The Mass Effect sequel was BioWare's last remaining project before its shutdown.