Leaked Trailer Unveils BioWare’s Last Mass Effect Adventure

After the news of BioWare’s closure, fans were left scratching their heads: how could Mass Effect 5 still be in “early” development when it was announced five years ago in 2020? The following day, a brief clip purportedly from the project surfaced online, shedding light on the actual state of Mass Effect 5’s development.

The footage hints at an unannounced title called Mass Effect: Universe and opens with a disclaimer that it was created using pre-production assets by a small team. In the roughly two-minute clip, we meet a new protagonist who once belonged to the same organization as Commander Shepard. While this character bears a resemblance to the iconic hero, he does not seem to be Shepard himself. The presence of Liara T’Soni suggests that the game may be set shortly after the events of the original trilogy, given that Asari are known for their long lifespans.

While the authenticity of this footage can’t be independently verified, there are compelling reasons to consider it genuine. Reports from individuals on the team for the next Mass Effect installment indicate that they have resolved early development challenges and are “working on a great game.” Additionally, a recent LinkedIn post from someone claiming to be an EA employee mentioned that Mass Effect 5 was complete and ready for release. The new footage lacks the usual signs of AI-generated content and appears to feature voice work from actors who have previously contributed to the series.

The trailer showcases many beloved elements of Mass Effect: biotic powers, alien races like the Krogan, romantic interactions, and the interactive galaxy map. While the gameplay feels familiar, this title introduces a range of new close-quarters maneuvers and biotic power combinations that amp up the action. If this turns out to be a hoax, it’s certainly a convincing one.