As a long-time Mass Effect fan, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nostalgia when I delve into these leaked packets. It seems that Michael Gamble, our friendly neighborhood insider, is giving us tantalizing glimpses into the upcoming Mass Effect 5, or perhaps we should call it Mass Effect: EON now?
The highly-acclaimed game developed by BioWare, titled Dragon Age: The Veilguard, is now available on both consoles and personal computers, receiving widespread praise.
Following some unimpressive releases similar to Anthem, there’s growing excitement among both critics and enthusiasts that the studio has regained its top form. As a result, anticipation for the launch of Mass Effect 5 is gradually increasing once more.
Last year during the N7 festivities, we got playful nudges towards a new game in the series. Since then, developers have shared updates on its development process and potential visual aspects of the upcoming fifth installment.
Read on for everything we know about Mass Effect 5.
When is the Mass Effect 5 release date? Our speculation
It appears that Mass Effect 5 is likely to be released quite some time from now, and based on recent speculation by Jeff Grubb of Giant Bomb, it might not be until the year 2029.
Based on my extensive background in game design and having played numerous RPGs, I find Grubb’s insights into the development of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, previously known as Dreadwolf, particularly fascinating. His unique perspective and understanding of the intricacies involved in creating such a complex narrative are truly remarkable.
It has been mentioned that the unveiling of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf in 2018 corresponds roughly to our current timeline… The announcement was made back in 2018, but it looks like we might not see this game until possibly next year.
Over the past six years, the highly anticipated game, The Veilguard, has been in the making – a timeframe that isn’t unusual for large triple-A productions these days. It is set to launch on October 31st, 2024.
Based on a rough calculation, Grubb suggested that the release of Mass Effect 5 might be around the year 2029.
This is obviously a tough pill to swallow – especially for fans of the series – but the likelihood is that this is a realistic time frame.
Back in 2022, I found myself immersed in the creative process as a member of the Mass Effect team at BioWare. We’ve been hard at work, brainstorming and testing out fresh concepts for the next installment of this epic franchise. So, buckle up, fans, because Mass Effect 5 is currently being shaped by our prototyping phase!
However, it’s important to emphasize the truth about AAA next-gen games: “These games require extensive development time.
It’s not for no good reason, however, especially when how poorly received Anthem was.
“Our number one priority needs to be quality, and that simply takes time to get it right.”
Based on these details, it seems that Grubb’s statement holds validity, and we might very likely see the next installment in 2029.
Can I pre-order Mass Effect 5?
At this moment, it’s not possible to reserve a copy of Mass Effect 5 for advance purchase. Given that the game is yet to enter full production, we’re likely several years away from having a pre-order option available.
When we have information regarding this, we will do our due diligence and update you.
It’s great news that the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition bundles together Mass Effect 1, 2, and 3, offering a wealth of gaming time and narrative experience right at your fingertips.
You can buy Mass Effect: Legendary Edition for Steam for £16.19 on CDKeys, the Xbox Series X/S version for £23.99 from CDKeys or the PS4 version for £22.49 from Amazon.
Which consoles and platforms can play Mass Effect 5?
With the project being several years away, it’s quite likely that Mass Effect 5 will be released for upcoming platforms such as the PlayStation 6, next-generation Xbox consoles, and personal computers (PC).
If Mass Effect 5 is slated for release during the upcoming console generation, it might possibly be a cross-platform game, making an appearance on the existing PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S as well.
Given that the anticipated next-gen Switch 2 might debut in 2024, there’s a possibility it could be somewhat outdated when Mass Effect 5 is released – however, past experiences have shown that some seemingly unfeasible ports can indeed find their way onto the Switch, as demonstrated by games like Doom: Eternal and Sniper Elite 5.
Mass Effect 5 gameplay and story news
From a gameplay perspective, it’s likely that Mass Effect 5 will build on the successes of its predecessors, offering engaging third-person shootouts and exploration, all within a vast Role Playing Game (RPG) environment that encompasses multiple planets and possibly entire galaxies.
In simpler terms, Mary DeMarle, known for her work on Deus Ex reboots and Guardians of the Galaxy, has been confirmed as the lead narrative director, according to VGC’s report. However, the specific details of the story are somewhat unclear.
In a recent interaction with fans on platform X, BioWare’s Michael Gamble discussed queries regarding the artistic approach of Mass Effect 5 following the unveiling of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
From my perspective as a movie lover, the latest installment leans towards a more exaggerated visual style, reminding me more of the whimsical world presented in the Fable series rather than the raw, realistic aesthetics of previous games I’ve played.
Nonetheless, Gamble made it clear that “Mass Effect will preserve the mature style of the initial trilogy. The game will have a photorealistic quality and will be as extensive as I continue working on it.
BioWare subtly scattered hints throughout their celebratory activities for N7 (November 7th), doing so across a set of three “instalments”.
In essence, these parts don’t provide much detail about the storyline, yet they successfully connect the original trilogy with Andromeda.
From what we’ve seen in the 2022 teaser trailer for Mass Effect 5, it seems likely that characters like Liara T’Soni and the Geth could make an appearance in the game.
In simple terms, since the Asari species can live for about 1,000 years, and the events of Andromeda occurred in the year 2819, it implies that, theoretically, she still has a number of years left to live based on this information.
These three packets were picked apart by user Forbidding on the Boardgame Geek forums.
First Packet
First packet intercepted.
(wait for your cache to clear)— Michael Gamble (@GambleMike) November 7, 2023
Below is the small transcript found in this First Packet.
- /////ACCESS CODE: EPSILON
- /////ACCESS CODE ACCEPTED
- /////SECONDARY ENCRYPTION DETECTED
- /////VJBSVU-XXXX-XXXXXXXX
- /////ANDROMEDA DISTRESS SIGNAL DETECTED
- /////YEAR SENT: [REDACTED]
- /////AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: ALTHOUGH THEY SHOULD KNOW BY NOW NOT TO UNDERESTIMATE HUMAN [REDACTED]
The “Audio Transcript” represents a spoken phrase by Liara, which was deciphered from the 2022 teaser trailer.
The most interesting part stems from “ANDROMEDA DISTRESS SIGNAL DETECTED“, which is where we see our first confirmation that the plot of the original trilogy and that of Mass Effect: Andromeda will be linked.
Second packet
Gamble wasn’t quite finished yet, however, and took to X again.
Second packet intercepted.
— Michael Gamble (@GambleMike) November 7, 2023
This second page has the following transcript.
- /////ACCESS CODE: OCULON-2819-DEFIANCE
- /////ACCESS CODE ACCEPTED
- /////TERTIARY ENCRYPTION DETECTED
- /////CLASSIFIED: REVIEW BRIEFING MATERIALS ON OFFICIAL ALLIANCE COMMS CHANNELS
The year 2819 is when the Ark’s Leusina, Natanus and Paarchero finally made it to the Andromeda Galaxy in Mass Effect: Andromeda, further solidifying the link.
The Oculon was supposedly a working title for the series.
Third Packet
Finally, Gamble had one more packet to share.
Packet 3 received.
— Michael Gamble (@GambleMike) November 7, 2023
This third packet contains the following.
- /////ACCESS CODE ACCEPTED: POST-NEBULA
- /////WARNING
- /////SECURITY BREACH DETECTED
- /////CONTACT SYSTEMS ALLIANCE
- /////EPSILON-OCULON-NEBULA
According to Forbidden, “Nebula: Guardans of the Citadel” was another working title.
Epsilon, Oculon and Nebula also form the acronym “EON”.
In simpler terms, “SECURITY BREACH DETECTED” means an unauthorized individual or entity has attempted to gain access to a system with the intention of stealing its data.
Is there a Mass Effect 5 trailer?
Over the past several years, I’ve had the pleasure of catching a few tantalizing sneak peeks, and the latest one is right here for you to enjoy!
Michael Gamble verified on X that the video presented was “in-game,” however, it’s plausible that the finished game will have a significantly distinct appearance.
This trailer assembles pieces from the packets and features an N7 operative, who wears a helmet reminiscent of Daft Punk.
At the N7 festivities in 2022, we took a peek at another sneak peek showcasing the encrypted message from Liara.
Apart from some limited observations, there’s not much yet – however, based on the hints and sneak peeks, it appears that the storyline gap between the trilogy and Andromeda will be addressed.
Don’t forget to tune into our “One More Life” podcast, sign up for our complimentary newsletter, and keep an eye on our Twitter feed for the most current gaming updates!
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2024-10-30 21:42