The canceled Mass Effect 5 trailer has leaked online, surfacing on Reddit just one day after EA announced the closure of BioWare.

First, the bad news: BioWare has shut down

On October 21, EA revealed its decision to close BioWare. According to Bloomberg, around 400 employees are being laid off across the company, including 50 people from the team working on the new Mass Effect game. The game has also been canceled.

EA's internal memo described the game as being in "early development," even though BioWare first teased it back in 2020. That means a six-year project ended quietly.

Founded in 1995, BioWare was behind legendary franchises like Baldur's Gate, Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age. Its last release was Dragon Age: The Veilguard in 2024.

What's in the leaked trailer?

The video was posted on r/masseffect on October 22 by a newly created account. The trailer is about two minutes long, fully cinematic, with no gameplay footage.

• The opening note says "in-game footage, pre-production assets."
• A man in an N7 trench coat enters a bar, approached by an asari woman.
• The man talks about his military past and his "new job." There's a fight, Krogan, and a romance scene.
• The asari woman threatens him. Then Liara T'Soni appears, and a bar brawl breaks out.
• The video ends with the "Mass Effect: Universe" logo and a "coming soon" message.

This suggests the game's title might not have been Mass Effect 5, but rather Mass Effect: Universe. Liara's return is bittersweet for fans.

Is the trailer real?

There was some doubt at first, but Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier confirmed on Bluesky that the footage is real. IGN had also previously reported that a new trailer was being prepared at the studio.

The reason for the trailer is unclear. Some sites speculate it was made for N7 Day on November 7. EA has not commented on the leak.

The future of the Mass Effect series

Nothing is certain right now. EA hasn't said what will happen to the Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises. The series could be shelved or handed over to another studio.

Arguably the worst part: the trailer actually looks good. After the disappointment of Andromeda, the series could have made a comeback. This video is probably all we'll ever see of Mass Effect: Universe.

For those who want to replay the series

The original trilogy is still available as Mass Effect Legendary Edition. If you want to buy it through the EA app, you can top up your account funds with an EA Play Origin cash card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Mass Effect 5 canceled?

Yes. On October 21, 2026, EA shut down BioWare and canceled the new Mass Effect game.

What is the name of the leaked trailer?

The video ends with the "Mass Effect: Universe" logo.

Will the trailer be released officially?

EA hasn't made a statement. Since the game is canceled, an official release is unlikely.