Writers Reveal What the Cancelled Mass Effect 5 Was Meant to Be

Writers Catherine Valente and Derek Künsken have discussed the cancelled next Mass Effect game after Electronic Arts shut down BioWare. They said the team had been developing a project intended to expand the series’ science-fiction universe.

Valente said she had worked on a “great game.” She also clarified that she was not involved with Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Mass Effect: Andromeda or Anthem.

Künsken said he had contributed to the project intermittently for the past five years. He worked with Valente on the next instalment’s story concepts, characters, lore and science-fiction elements.

Story work on the cancelled game

Künsken described the collaboration as the most inspiring and exciting work of his career. He said he hoped to learn in the coming weeks which development details he would be allowed to discuss publicly.

The writers did not reveal a specific plot, cast or gameplay systems. Following the studio’s closure and the project’s cancellation, players will likely never see the result of that work.

The future of EA’s franchises

Some fans hope Electronic Arts will sell the rights to Mass Effect and Dragon Age to another company. Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah urged caution, while suggesting that a sale could now become more likely.

Darrah cited EA’s financial obligations following a $55 billion buyout deal as one possible factor. The source reports no specific decision about the franchises’ rights.

Mass Effect is a BioWare role-playing series. Its original trilogy was released from 2007 to 2012, while 2017’s Mass Effect: Andromeda moved the action to another galaxy and received mixed reactions over technical and story issues.