EA has put the brakes on Mass Effect 5‘s development, moving some BioWare staff to other projects. The game is still in early pre-production, meaning full-scale development hasn’t even begun. This shift comes as BioWare adopts a “one game at a time” approach, focusing on completing Dragon Age: Veilguard before diving into their next space adventure.
The delay isn’t entirely surprising given BioWare’s recent track record. The studio has struggled with managing large-scale projects, often needing to shuffle staff around to meet deadlines. This has led to extended development times and, in some cases, less-than-stellar releases like Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem.
BioWare’s challenges haven’t gone unnoticed by the gaming community. Fans are worried about the studio’s future, especially if upcoming titles don’t perform well. Some even speculate that EA might consider closing BioWare if things don’t improve. These concerns stem from EA’s history of restructuring or shutting down studios that don’t meet expectations.
The Mass Effect series holds a special place in gaming history, known for its deep storytelling and player-driven narratives. Fans have high hopes for the fifth installment, but the delays and staff reassignments have raised doubts. Some gamers are even suggesting that a fresh studio might be better suited to tackle the beloved franchise.
EA’s decision to reallocate resources isn’t uncommon in the industry. Publishers often juggle projects based on timelines and potential returns. In this case, EA seems to be prioritizing other titles, like the next Battlefield game, over Mass Effect 5.
Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah has shed some light on the studio’s new approach. The shift to focusing on one project at a time is meant to optimize development and avoid the pitfalls of juggling multiple large-scale games. While this might lead to longer waits between releases, the hope is that it will result in higher-quality games.