Mass Effect devs have been practically radio silent for over 5 years because there's 'not a lot of time for tease'

A close-up of Shephard from Mass Effect awkwardly smiling. — (Image credit: BioWare)

We know very, very little about the next Mass Effect game. In fact, BioWare hasn't even revealed its name yet, so we've all been calling it Mass Effect 5 in the meantime. That aside, it was announced at The Game Awards 2020, and over five years later, there's little to show for it. But Mike Gamble confirmed in a 2025 N7 Day post that BioWare is now "heads-down and focused exclusively on Mass Effect", which was reassuring after EA downsized the developer.

When questioned about the awkward lack of updates on the new entry in one of the most treasured RPG series of all time, project director and executive producer Mike Gamble said it plain and simple: "Just busy workin. Not a lot of time for tease." Mic drop.

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The developers don't have time to put together a fancy trailer or info dump because they're hard at work constructing the thing, especially now that the studio is smaller post-Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

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Still, over half a decade on from its announcement, it would be nice to have more than two vague CGI trailers and a handful of (beautiful) concept images. It's frustratingly similar to The Elder Scrolls 6, which was also announced way too early in advance—a rough eight years early, in that case.

As for when we might get some more details on the next Mass Effect game, I'd say N7 Day, a ME celebration day on November 7 every year, is the most likely scenario. It's a good six months away, and a key date for any Mass Effect fan. Another option is The Game Awards 2026 on December 10, after all, that's where it was originally unveiled. Fingers crossed we'll get an actual in-game trailer next time we get an update, though that might be too hopeful.

Still, many fans (including myself) are fearful that the age of Mass Effect has passed, as it seems it has for BioWare's similarly beloved Dragon Age. PC Gamer's Fraser Brown argues that for BioWare to make a comeback, it needs to cancel Mass Effect and create something else to find a new identity for the studio all these years later. Honestly, I think I agree. But I'll still be eagerly awaiting any news on Mass Effect 5, whenever that comes.

Rory has made the fatal error of playing way too many live service games at once, and somehow still finding time for everything in between. Sure, he’s an expert at Destiny 2, Call of Duty, and more, but at what cost? He’s even sunk 1,000 hours into The Elder Scrolls Online over the years. At least he put all those hours spent grinding challenges to good use over the years as a freelancer and guides editor. In his spare time, he’s also an avid video creator, often breaking down the environmental design of his favourite games. If you can’t track him down, he’s probably lost in a cave with a bunch of dwarves shouting “rock and stone” to no end.

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