Leaked trailer reveals canceled Mass Effect Universe after BioWare closure

A pre-production trailer for the canceled project Mass Effect Universe has leaked online, according to reports from VGC, Destructoid, and Windows Central. The leak appeared on Reddit following publisher Electronic Arts closing developer BioWare and canceling early development on the next game in the sci-fi franchise. Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier confirmed on Bluesky that the leaked video is authentic footage of the in-development project, VGC and Push Square reported. [3][4][5][8]

The leaked media shows pre-production footage featuring various alien species, including Asari and Quarians, Polygon reported. Engadget noted that the game appeared to focus on a new protagonist alongside series character Liara T'Soni. Destructoid reported that the video showed a cloaked figure wearing N7 armor. Science fiction authors Catherynne M. Valente and Derek Kunsken both confirmed on social media that they had been writing for the project prior to its cancellation, Ars Technica reported. [1][2][4][7]

An internal memorandum to staff from Electronic Arts executives Cam Weber and David Tinson stated that only a small team at BioWare had been working on early development for the game prior to its cancellation, according to Ars Technica. As FTMQ Gaming reported earlier, Electronic Arts shut down the 30-year-old studio and canceled early development on the fifth Mass Effect game as part of approximately 400 total layoffs across the publisher. [2][14][15]