Mass Effect 5 Holds a Key Advantage Over Dragon Age: Will BioWare Rise to the Challenge?

Following the much-anticipated launch and subsequent lackluster performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, BioWare has shifted its focus to the next installment in the Mass Effect franchise, tentatively titled Mass Effect 5. Unfortunately, a series of underwhelming releases, beginning with Mass Effect: Andromeda in 2017, followed by the critically panned Anthem, and culminating with the disappointing Veilguard, has left fans questioning the studio’s ability to craft another title that truly honors the legacy of the series.

Despite recent encouraging announcements regarding Mass Effect, the development struggles that have plagued BioWare’s recent projects cast a long shadow.Anthem, launched in 2019 amidst an industry trend toward live-service games, received widespread criticism for failing to align with BioWare’s strengths as a developer of single-player RPGs. While it may not have been as catastrophic as the anticipated 2024 release, Concord, its launch was nonetheless disheartening. Similar issues affected Veilguard, which also tried to embrace live-service mechanics but ultimately paid the price during its development phase and full release.

Learning from Veilguard’s Challenges

Avoiding Historical Mistakes in Development

Image of Liara T'Soni looking off to the horizon, toward a small spaceship and its three person crew.

Despite the prevailing skepticism surrounding BioWare’s capacity to deliver a compelling new title, there is at least some optimism regarding the upcoming Mass Effect installment as it appears to avoid the severe development pitfalls that plagued Dragon Age: The Veilguard. This title has encountered various challenges, including a complete overhaul of its initial vision during its years-long development process. Initially dubbed Dreadwolf and intended as a live-service game, it ultimately reverted to a single-player format, resulting in the current version, Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

While it is challenging to gauge how different iterations of Dragon Age: The Veilguard might have fared, it’s evident that these development trials have impacted not only its release timeline but also the quality of the game itself. In parallel, the live-service model has seen widespread failure across the gaming industry. Notable disasters, such as the launch of Suicide Squad and Concord, coupled with the cancellation of multiple live-service titles by big names like Sony, signal a declining trend, even among established franchises like Destiny 2.

Improving Development Practices at BioWare

The Need for Strategic Change

Mass Effect Shepard with the Omni-BLade facing down enemies.

A silver lining for the new Mass Effect is its potential freedom from the live-service trap that ensnared its predecessors. However, this does not fully diminish doubts about BioWare’s development framework. In an analysis by Jason Schreier on Kotaku, it was revealed that issues with “BioWare magic” and reliance on intense work hours have become ingrained in the studio’s routine, suggesting deeper systemic problems.

With several key figures, including the original creators of Dragon Age and Mass Effect, having departed, it is uncertain whether the studio has reformed its practices or remains entrenched in old habits. Nevertheless, the setbacks evident from Andromeda, Anthem, and Veilguard highlight the urgency for BioWare’s upcoming title to break free from past failures.

Overcoming Future Challenges for Mass Effect

The Pressure to Satisfy Longtime Fans

While the potential end of the live-service trend may hold some promise, the creation of a modern Mass Effect title remains an immense challenge, riddled with hurdles. After years of teasing and anticipation, updates from BioWare indicate that the project is still in its early stages, lacking the resources of a fully assembled development team. Thus, we may be several years away from an official launch.

Although a teaser was shared back in 2020 and another brief video appeared in 2023, the latest statements suggest that fans will have to exercise patience as the game remains in its pre-production phase.

Additionally, the upcoming Mass Effect faces the daunting task of addressing the contentious ending of Mass Effect 3 and tackling the mixed reception of Andromeda, moments that many long-time fans associate with a decline in quality from the franchise.

At this juncture, while the release of Mass Effect 5 is still on the horizon, it represents a pivotal moment for BioWare. With a history marked by failures, both moderate and significant, industry confidence in the studio has waned considerably. Though they are eliting some veteran talent for this next entry, there remains uncertainty whether BioWare can recapture the essence that fans cherished in the original games.

Source: Kotaku, BioWare

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