Mass Effect 5 Leak Reveals Approach to Addressing Mass Effect 3’s Multiple Endings
As the dust settles following the closure of RPG studio BioWare and the cancellation of Mass Effect: Universe, which was set to be the fifth installment in the beloved sci-fi RPG series, more details are emerging about the project that the studio’s remaining team was developing before EA pulled the plug. Recently, someone claiming to be part of a community council providing feedback to BioWare shared more concrete insights about the game.
A video from a YouTuber dives into various aspects of the story and world. However, it does include some controversial opinions, so if you’d prefer not to watch it, we’ll summarize the key points. While the authenticity of the YouTuber’s claims hasn’t been verified, a separate source has confirmed that the information presented is accurate.
Some details align with what was hinted at in the leaked trailer, but the most intriguing aspect is that BioWare appeared to have no plans to establish a “canon” ending for Mass Effect 3. Instead, they intended to craft a narrative that would allow them to tell the story they envisioned without disregarding players’ choices. This approach echoes the studio’s previous statements about not prioritizing earlier player decisions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
“Honestly, we try to avoid the idea of there being a single canon,” said Veilguard’s creative director. “It’s a game about choice. This is a game about your decisions as a player. […] Our philosophy is to never invalidate your choices. If we can’t respect the choices made, we often choose not to reference them. […] We want you to feel that your world is valid.”
For me, this was the ideal scenario. If BioWare chose to return to the Milky Way instead of continuing the Andromeda storyline, it was crucial that they didn’t undermine the player’s legacy by declaring one choice as “correct.” Now, I have even more reasons to be frustrated with EA for its impact on BioWare and the Mass Effect series. It remains to be seen if the upcoming TV adaptation will prioritize respecting player choice as much as the games did.
