In short
- A roughly two-minute trailer called ‘Mass Effect Universe’ has leaked, showing the game BioWare was making before EA closed the studio.
- Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier says his sources confirm it’s authentic.
- It shows a new lead in an N7 coat and the return of Liara T’Soni.
- EA hasn’t commented. The footage looks further along than EA’s description suggested.
It’s been a rough week for Mass Effect fans. A day after EA announced BioWare’s closure and the cancellation of the new game, a leaked trailer of what the studio was making showed up online.
Is it real?
Yes, according to Jason Schreier of Bloomberg, one of the most reliable reporters in the industry. He said his sources confirmed it’s a genuine trailer for the game BioWare was working on before the closure.
EA hasn’t commented.
What does it show?
The video runs about two minutes, is titled “Mass Effect Universe” and opens with a disclaimer that it’s in-engine footage using pre-production assets from a small team. According to several outlets, it shows:
- A new lead in an N7 trench coat who says he left the Alliance military. It isn’t Shepard.
- The return of Liara T’Soni in a bar scene that ends in a biotic brawl.
- A ship much smaller than the Normandy and a Milky Way galaxy map.
- A Krogan, a Quarian squadmate and a stop that looks like Illium.
Some parts look much more polished than others.
Why is it controversial?
Because EA’s letter described a small team in early development. The trailer looks a lot further along than that. Former team members, including writer Catherynne M. Valente, have also said the game was well underway and ambitious.
Is any Mass Effect project still alive?
The live-action series from Amazon MGM Studios. According to IGN, it’s still in development, with no release date, and is set after the original trilogy.
Quick answers
Is the leaked trailer real? According to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, yes.
Is Shepard in it? No, there’s a new lead.
Could the game be saved? EA cancelled it and closed BioWare. There’s no sign it’s coming back.
Sources: Gaming Route
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