It's no secret that BioWare has been facing challenges lately. After the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the studio's troubles have become even more apparent, impacting Electronic Arts' stock. Now, news from a studio veteran suggests that the next installment of Mass Effect is quite a long way off.
BioWare's Struggles: A Look Behind the Scenes
Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah released a video discussing the studio's history and current situation. He revealed that as far back as 2016, BioWare recognized its inability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. During that period, they were working on both Anthem and Mass Effect: Andromeda, neither of which met expectations. Consequently, for the past several years, the studio has been exclusively focused on Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
This focus on a single project means that Mass Effect 5 is in the very early stages of development. The game isn't close to completion, and it appears that the release may be further away than anticipated.
The Roadblocks for Mass Effect 5
According to Darrah, speeding up the development of the next Mass Effect is unlikely. BioWare, he explains, struggles to operate efficiently with large teams. Moreover, many employees have left BioWare after the release of The Veilguard, seeking opportunities elsewhere.
It will be difficult to bring those employees back, since many are looking for career advancement, which BioWare currently isn't in the best position to offer. As a result, fans might have to wait quite a while for the next Mass Effect, and there’s little reason to expect EA will accelerate the game's development.
