More information on the now canceled event Mass Effect: UniverseThe development of continues to be felt after the closure of the BioWare studio. BFMTecha French media outlet, spoke with anonymous developers who were fired from the studio, and their comments provide insight into why the game was canceled, while also revealing that BioWare removed a flag that was apparently deemed too close to a pride flag before a demo that was being presented to EA management so as not to “offend” executives.
The report, written in French (Kotaku received an independent translation), confirms some things we know from last week’s leaks, including that the game would take place 600 years in the future, feature a new protagonist, and include original trilogy companion Liara T’Soni in a major role. The outlet’s sources say the game was still a long way off, although the team had concepts for entire sections of the game, including its story, and some narrative design elements that would incorporate choices from across the franchise. Anyway, BFMSources say the development has gone well, although some deadlines were missed along the way. BioWare planned to release the game in late 2028 and move to Unreal Engine after using the notoriously difficult Frostbite engine on Mass Effect: Andromeda helped things.
However, BFMElectronic Arts sources say that after Electronic Arts was acquired by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake Partners and Affinity Partners, video proposals to new management did not convince senior officials that the project was worth pursuing. A source says BFM that the BioWare team removed a flag from a presentation that would have looked like a pride flag, out of fear that it “could cause friction” between the studio and management at a time when the BioWare team already felt like Mass effect was not a priority for EA.
Following the closure of Bioware, I was able to speak with some of the studio’s employees to find out more about the development of the next Mass Effect.
I also learned that some diversity-focused elements were removed from the demos presented to EA executives. 👇👇 https://t.co/A5WidWlSKh
– Sylvain 🧡❤️🔥 (@SylvainTrinel) October 27, 2026
Sylvain Trinel, the journalist who wrote the original article for BFMtells us this was “in anticipation of potential backlash given Electronic Arts’ current shareholder structure.” and that “contrary to what is said on this subject on social networks, (the decision to remove the flag) was not (taken) out of a desire to hide inclusive elements, but rather in anticipation of negative reactions from conservative leaders”.
We have contacted EA for comment on the situation and will update this story if we receive a response.
Following the acquisition of EA in August, sources said Kotaku that EA management had told employees that the new owners would not make creative decisions after some expressed concerns that the Saudi government’s repeated violations of queer people’s human rights, as well as Affinity Partners founder Jared Kushner’s ties to the Trump family, meant that historically inclusive studios and series would not be able to include queer characters and themes in the future. However, even if the private equity monster doesn’t make direct decisions, this is an example of how the threat of being reprimanded can lead to compliance in advance. BioWare was shut down following the acquisition, and it remains to be seen if series like The Sims will become less inclusive as EA adjusts to the company’s new ownership.
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