Mass Effect 5
News, coverage and analysis tracking Mass Effect 5 across the outlets.
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As EA kills Mass Effect 5, BioWare co-founder slams "weird belief" you can "recreate great games with random people and AI" – "It doesn't work"
Following the cancellation of Mass Effect 5 and layoffs at BioWare, co-founder Greg Zeschuk criticized the industry's reliance on executives who lack game development experience and a "weird belief" in recreating games with AI. The article highlights concerns about morale at Electronic Arts amid ongoing layoffs and the publisher's embrace of AI tools.
BioWare Co-Founder Speaks Out on Studio Closure, Mass Effect Cancellation
BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk has commented on the recent closure of the studio, which resulted in 50 job losses and the cancellation of Mass Effect 5, internally codenamed Mass Effect: Universe. The article highlights the significant impact of these events on the company and its projects.
BioWare co-founder says EA's Saudi Arabia buyout was "the final nail in the coffin" for the RPG studio: "It's easier just to pump out sports games"
BioWare co-founder Ray Zeschuk believes Electronic Arts' acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund was the final blow to the RPG studio, citing concerns over human rights and potential policing of game content. Zeschuk suggests EA will now prioritize sports titles and Battlefield over complex RPGs like Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
BioWare’s Saudi owners reportedly ordered a flag to be removed from Mass Effect 5 because it was ‘too similar to the LGBTQIA+ one’
Reports indicate that Saudi owners of BioWare allegedly ordered a flag to be removed from Mass Effect 5 due to its similarity to an LGBTQIA+ flag. This alleged incident suggests cultural influences from conservative investors impacting game content.
Mass Effect 5 studio was reportedly told to tone down inclusivity by EA after Saudi Arabia buyout, former BioWare dev…
Former BioWare developers have reportedly stated that Electronic Arts instructed them to tone down inclusivity in the unreleased Mass Effect 5 following the company's acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Developers allegedly had to remove an LGBTQIA+ flag from a presentation to avoid causing offense, reflecting broader concerns about content policing after the buyout.
Leaked Mass Effect 5 trailer is being "re-scored" by one of the original trilogy's composers, so folks can get a taste of his musical vision for the game
A leaked trailer for the canceled Mass Effect 5, also known as Mass Effect Universe, is being re-scored by original trilogy composer Sam Hulick to share his musical vision. This effort aims to provide some closure following BioWare's closure and the game's cancellation, with another composer, Austin Wintory, also having released music for the project. The situation highlights the potential of the canceled game and the impact of the layoffs at BioWare.
Mass Effect composer Sam Hulick is working on a 're-scored' version of the leaked Mass Effect 5 trailer for N7…
Mass Effect composer Sam Hulick plans to release a re-scored version of the leaked Mass Effect 5 trailer with his own music for N7 Day. Hulick, who worked on the original Mass Effect trilogy, expressed sadness over BioWare layoffs and hopes to properly represent his musical vision for the game.
Assassin's Creed and Halo veteran who served as Mass Effect 5's art director says it's "heartbreaking" to see the team BioWare built split apart: "We were good at this"
Nicolas Bouvier, former art director for the canceled Mass Effect 5 and veteran of Assassin's Creed and Halo, expressed heartbreak over the closure of BioWare and the loss of the team's potential. He described the studio as a tightly knit and talented group whose work on the next Mass Effect installment will never be released.
"Mass Effect was my ultimate white whale": Journey composer shares 20 minutes of music created during talks to work on BioWare's recently cancelled RPG
Composer Austin Wintory, known for his work on Journey, shared approximately 20 minutes of music he created for the cancelled Mass Effect 5 during talks with BioWare. Wintory expressed his deep disappointment over the project's cancellation and BioWare's subsequent closure, calling it a "white whale" project. The music explored new directions for the franchise's score, blending synths and orchestral elements.
Composer shares 20 minutes of music created for Mass Effect 5 following tragic closure of BioWare
Composer Austin Wintory has shared 20 minutes of music he created as a pitch for Mass Effect 5, following the unexpected closure of BioWare. The music, a homage to the original Mass Effect composers, blends analog synths and orchestral elements. The closure of BioWare by EA resulted in significant layoffs and has drawn widespread criticism from the industry.
Here’s Another Mass Effect 5 Leak To Break Your Heart
Composer Austin Wintory has shared nearly 20 minutes of music he created for a potential Mass Effect 5 project, tentatively titled Mass Effect: Universe. Wintory expressed his long-held dream of working on the franchise and shared his experimental score, which was developed in discussions with BioWare and Electronic Arts before the project's apparent cancellation.
Mass Effect 5 was Journey composer's "biggest dream project," and he was in "serious discussions" with BioWare to handle the soundtrack – here's 20 minutes of music he composed for the RPG
Legendary composer Austin Wintory, known for his work on Journey, has shared 20 minutes of music he composed as early drafts for the canceled Mass Effect 5. Wintory described working on the game as his "biggest dream project" and had been in serious discussions with BioWare to handle the soundtrack. The music blends synths and orchestral sounds, aiming to build upon the original Mass Effect score.
Veteran game composer in talks to score Mass Effect 5 shares 20 minutes of music he wrote for the project: 'To even…
Composer Austin Wintory, known for his work on Journey and Stray Gods, has shared 20 minutes of music he created as an early draft for Mass Effect 5. Wintory was in serious talks with BioWare and EA to score the game, treating the original Mass Effect's synth-heavy score as a starting point while incorporating a large orchestra.
220,000-signatory petition to "save Mass Effect" doesn't mention BioWare, suggests giving Mass Effect 5 to somebody else
A Change.org petition with around 220,000 signatories is calling on Electronic Arts to "save Mass Effect" by committing to its continued development or licensing the IP to another studio. The petition notably omits any mention of BioWare, the original developer, which the article criticizes as a strange oversight given recent layoffs. The author expresses skepticism about the petition's corporate-friendly language and its effectiveness in addressing the underlying issues.
Save Mass Effect movement backed by The Expanse RPG devs inspired by BioWare: "The Expanse show was saved by fans…
Following the announcement of BioWare's closure and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game, a fan campaign to save the franchise has gained significant traction, amassing over 210,000 signatures. Owlcat Games, developers of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, have publicly backed the #SaveMassEffect movement, drawing parallels to how The Expanse TV series was revived by fan support. However, Mass Effect 5's former technical director, Romain Toutain, expressed skepticism about EA's willingness to revive dormant franchises.
"EA never actually sells anything," former Mass Effect 5 dev says – so don't expect the RPG to be saved as "they just shut things down and sit on their licenses"
A former BioWare developer suggests Electronic Arts is unlikely to sell the Mass Effect IP or Mass Effect 5 to another studio following BioWare's closure and the game's apparent cancellation. The developer stated that EA "never actually sells anything" and tends to "shut things down and sit on their licenses." This sentiment is echoed by former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah, who noted that executives are incentivized against taking risks with IP.
Mass Effect 5 was named Universe partly because it let players generate alternate timelines based on their choices in previous entries, technical director says
Romain Toutain, franchise technical director at BioWare, revealed that the internal title Mass Effect Universe was considered for Mass Effect 5 partly due to a system that allowed players to generate alternate timelines based on their choices from previous games. This ambitious feature aimed to give players "absolute autonomy" by creating branching narratives and even generating content to ensure mission completion, though it was complex to implement. The article also touches on the leaked internal trailer for the game and the studio's shutdown.
Almost 200,000 Mass Effect fans sign petition to save the series after BioWare's demise, and both Commander Shepard…
Following the unexpected shutdown of BioWare and the cancellation of Mass Effect 5, a fan petition to "Save Mass Effect" has garnered nearly 200,000 signatures. Voice actors Mark Meer and Jennifer Hale have voiced support for the initiative, which urges Electronic Arts to commit to continued development of the beloved RPG series, either internally or by licensing it to another studio.
'Save Mass Effect' petition hits over 180,000 signatures within days of BioWare's closure
A petition to save the Mass Effect series has garnered over 180,000 signatures following the reported closure of BioWare and cancellation of Mass Effect 5. The petition urges Electronic Arts to commit to the series' continued development or license the IP to another studio. Fans express deep disappointment and a strong desire for the franchise's survival.
FemShep Voice Actor Jennifer Hale Speaks Out After Mass Effect 5 Trailer Leaks Online
Voice actor Jennifer Hale, known for her role as Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect trilogy, has commented on the recent leak of a trailer for the upcoming Mass Effect 5. The leak has generated discussion among fans.