New Mass Effect 5 Leak Explains How It Was Going To Deal With Mass Effect 3's Multiple Endings

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1. 1h ago

   Canceled Mass Effect 5 Leak Reveals Ending Plans and Studio Closure

   Electronic Arts is shutting down BioWare and cutting 400 jobs, amounting to three percent of its employees in a studio restructuring, as details emerge regarding the canceled Mass Effect 5 project known as Mass Effect: Universe. A leaked trailer and reports from developers reveal that the abandoned sequel planned to address the multiple endings of Mass Effect 3 by setting the story more than 600 years later during a galactic Cold War. Meanwhile, Respawn and DICE are teaming up on Star Wars: Battlefront 3, and FemShep voice actor Jennifer Hale has spoken out following the leak.

   Why it matters

   BioWare has faced major operational changes alongside widespread studio restructuring at Electronic Arts. The unexpected leak of promotional material and developer commentary provides a rare glimpse into a shelved project that attempted to solve one of the most debated narrative hurdles in modern science fiction role-playing games.

   What is confirmed

   • Electronic Arts is shutting down BioWare and shedding 400 jobs to cut costs.
   • Electronic Arts is laying off 3 percent of its employees as part of a studios restructuring.
   • Respawn and DICE are teaming up on Star Wars: Battlefront 3.
   • FemShep voice actor Jennifer Hale spoke out after the Mass Effect 5 trailer leaked online.
   • Mass Effect: Universe has been canceled.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Mass Effect: Universe was set more than 600 years later and planned to carry all three Mass Effect 3 endings into its timeline.
   • The canceled sequel featured a galactic Cold War and a Geth conflict alongside N7 missions.
   • The game would have let players generate alternate timelines based on choices in previous games or used time and distance to fit its story into every decision Shepard could have made.

   What to watch next

   • Official statements from Electronic Arts or former BioWare developers regarding the leaked trailer and the studio's closure.
   • Further details from the technical director or voice actors regarding the mechanics of the canceled project.
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. Bloomberg.com — Electronic Arts to Shed 400 Jobs, Shut Down BioWare to Cut Costs
   2. Ars Technica — Leaked Mass Effect: Universe trailer gives a taste of what we’re all missing
   3. Variety — Electronic Arts Laying Off 3% of Employees in Studios Restructuring: BioWare Shutting Down, Respawn and DICE to Team on ‘Star Wars: Battlefront 3’
   4. IGN — FemShep Voice Actor Jennifer Hale Speaks Out After Mass Effect 5 Trailer Leaks Online
   5. Kotaku — New Mass Effect 5 Leak Explains How It Was Going To Deal With Mass Effect 3's Multiple Endings
   6. kotaku.com — New Mass Effect 5 Leak Explains How It Was Going To Deal With ...
   7. www.player.one — 'Mass Effect: Universe' Explained: BioWare's Canceled Sequel ...
   8. www.pcgamer.com — Mass Effect 5 was set in a 'galactic Cold War,' new leak ...
   9. www.pcgamer.com — Mass Effect 5 would have let players generate alternate ...
   10. pixeltwelve.com — Mass Effect’s Lost Sequel and the ME3 Ending Plan
   11. comicbook.com — Mass Effect 5 Developer Reveals New Details on Canceled Game
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