Mass Effect Universe trailer leaks after BioWare closure

Following the recent closure of BioWare, a trailer for a canceled Mass Effect project has surfaced online. The footage, titled Mass Effect Universe, was uploaded to the Mass Effect subreddit by a burner account believed to belong to a former BioWare employee. While no official BioWare representatives have confirmed the footage is real, reporter Jason Schreier has stated the trailer is authentic.

The two-minute video contains in-engine material using pre-production assets rather than actual gameplay. The footage features a new protagonist and an older Liara T'Soni in a crowded bar. The two characters eventually use weapons and telekinetic abilities to fight enemies.

The leak follows news that EA laid off 400 employees this week, including the entire BioWare staff. The studio's final project, which was a fifth entry in the series, has been canceled. Former team members have described the project as a special game that would have offered high levels of player autonomy and decision-making. A petition calling on EA to continue the Mass Effect series has reached nearly 17,000 signatures.