Former Mass Effect 5 writers speak out after EA closes BioWare

Former Mass Effect 5 writers shared experience after EA cancelled game, and closed BioWare's Edmonton studio

Former writers on Mass Effect 5 have spoken out following Electronic Arts' (EA) decision to cancel the upcoming game and close BioWare's Edmonton studio, ending more than 30 years of the developer's history.

The announcement was included in an open letter published on October 21 2026. EA stated that it had decided not to continue early development on the next Mass Effect instalment and would close the studio and its Edmonton workspace.

The decision prompted reactions from former team members, including New York Times bestselling author Catherynne M. Valente, who responded to criticism of the industry's inability to deliver a successful sequel to the acclaimed series.

“We did figure it out. We were working on a great game. Just saying,” Valente wrote on X.

She also clarified that she had not worked on Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Mass Effect: Andromeda or Anthem, adding that she was “not, in fact, the personification of BioWare”.

Award-winning science fiction author Derek Künsken also shared his experience working on Mass Effect 5, revealing that he had contributed to the project intermittently over the past five years.

Künsken explained that he could now discuss his involvement following the studio's closure, although he expected to gain greater clarity about what he could disclose in the coming weeks.

“Over the coming weeks, I'll get more clarity on what I can say about what I did and saw and learned. I hope it's more than nothing — what we were cooking was really cool,” he wrote.

He also revealed that he had collaborated with Valente on developing storylines, characters, lore and science fiction concepts for the next chapter of the Mass Effect universe.

Describing their partnership, Künsken called it “the most energizing, in-the-zone collaboration I've ever had.”

Following the cancellation, fans have speculated about whether EA might sell BioWare's intellectual properties to another developer.

Former executive producer Mark Darrah suggested that possibility could become more likely as EA faces financial pressures.

Meanwhile, the planned Mass Effect television series for Prime Video remains in active development.