'I believe we were making something special' — BioWare dev says the now-canceled Mass Effect 5 offered 'a level of autonomy and choice that no other game has been able to match'

Former BioWare cinematic supervisor Tony de Waal has shed light on the canceled Mass Effect 5 project, stating that the game aimed to provide unparalleled autonomy and choice to players, a feat unmatched by any other game. De Waal, who worked on Mass Effect 5 alongside a small team of around 50, expressed regret over the cancellation, noting that fans would not get to experience the innovative systems they were developing, inspired by Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077.

The developer, who has been with BioWare for nearly three decades, started his career with the company 29 years ago and returned in 2021 to help revive Dragon Age: The Veilguard. De Waal acknowledged the immense challenges faced during the development of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, describing it as a "herculean effort" that pushed the boundaries of the Frostbite engine, particularly in creating a variable player character across 3+ hours of cinematics.

Despite the setbacks, he is proud of the level of polish achieved in the final product. Reflecting on the cancellation of Mass Effect 5, De Waal expressed sadness for the fans and the dedicated, talented group of developers who worked tirelessly to bring the game to life. He emphasized the value of the remaining BioWare staff, urging potential employers to consider their skills and experience in cinematic production, narrative development, and blending gameplay with cinematic elements.