A BioWare veteran has shared details about the ambitious scope of a planned, but ultimately canceled, Mass Effect installment. Tony de Waal, who served as cinematic supervisor, stated that the project aimed to deliver "a level of autonomy and choice that no other game has been able to match." De Waal rejoined BioWare in 2021 to work on Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and by the time of the studio's closure, approximately 50 individuals were reportedly working on the new Mass Effect title.
De Waal noted on LinkedIn that BioWare was closely observing the successes of studios like Larian and CD Projekt, intending to elevate the Mass Effect franchise while remaining faithful to its roots. "We saw what Larian and CD Projekt were bringing to the table with their latest offerings, and started down a path to bring Mass Effect to the next level while remaining true to the Trilogy," he wrote.
The development of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which utilized EA and DICE's Frostbite engine, presented significant challenges. De Waal described the effort as "herculean" and a test of endurance, expressing pride in the polish achieved despite the engine's complexities. He specifically highlighted the difficulty in implementing a variable player character across extensive cinematic sequences and managing numerous conditional scenarios in later game stages.
BioWare's closure is part of a broader restructuring at EA, following the company's acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. This shift has led to over 400 layoffs as EA refocuses on live service shooters and sports titles.
"I'm sad you won't ever get to see what we were cooking, and sad for the small, talented group of devs who were all punching above their weight to make something special," de Waal stated, urging support for the remaining BioWare employees. He also emphasized his own readiness for new opportunities, seeking roles in cinematic production, narrative realization, and blending gameplay with cinematics, leveraging nearly three decades of experience.
De Waal's full statement is available on LinkedIn.