During the Montreal International Game Summit (MIGS), IMGMR got the opportunity to interview Bioware Montreal's studio director Yanick Roy. During this interview, we were able to learn a little bit more about the upcoming Mass Effect installment after the conclusion to Bioware's popular trilogy.
The latest game in BioWare’s fantasy role-playing series went through ten years of development turmoil
In early November, on the eve of the crucial holiday shopping season, staffers at the video-game studio BioWare were feeling optimistic. After an excruciating development cycle, they had finally released their latest game, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and the early reception was largely positive. The role-playing game was topping sales charts on Steam, and solid, if not spectacular, reviews were rolling in.
Its easy they called the die hard fans people in their nerd caves who will buy anything and then went woke to reach modern audiences....insulting the nerds in their caves along the way showing utter contempt for their fan base. very hapy it failed and any company who insults their fan base and treat their customers with contempt and insults, in future, i also hope fail.
It’s disappointing but not surprising to see what's happening with Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the broader situation at BioWare. The layoffs are tragic — no one wants to see talented developers lose their jobs. But when studios repeatedly create games that alienate their own fanbase, outcomes like this become unfortunately predictable.
There’s a pattern we’re seeing far too often: beloved franchises are revived, only to be reshaped into something almost unrecognizable. Changes are made that no one asked for, often at the expense of what originally made these games special. Then, when long-time fans express concern or lose interest, they’re told, “This game might not be for you.” But when those same fans heed that advice and don’t buy the game, suddenly they're labeled as toxic, sexist, bigoted, or worse.
Let’s be clear: the overwhelming majority of gamers have no issue with diversity, LGBTQ+ representation, or strong female leads. In fact, some of the most iconic characters in gaming — like Aloy, Ellie, or FemShep — are proof that inclusivity and excellent storytelling can and do go hand in hand. The issue arises when diversity feels performative, forced, or disconnected from the narrative — when characters or themes are inserted not to serve the story, but to satisfy a corporate DEI checklist. Audiences can tell the difference.
When studios chase approval from a vocal minority that often doesn’t even buy games — while simultaneously dismissing loyal fans who actually do — they risk not just the success of individual titles, but the health of their entire studio. Telling your core customers “don’t buy it if you don’t like it” is not a viable business strategy. Because guess what? Many of us won’t. And when the game fails commercially, blaming those very fans for not supporting it is both unfair and self-defeating.
Gamers aren’t asking for less diversity or less progress. We’re asking for better writing, thoughtful character development, and a respect for the franchises we’ve supported for decades. When you give people great games that speak to them — whether they’re old fans or new players — they will show up. But if you keep making games for people who don’t play them, don’t be surprised when those who do stop showing up
I thought the writing and character development were fine. Sometimes things just dont resonate with people.
EA just hosted its quarterly financial conference call, and its executives have been asked to comment about the recent price hikes for games.
Today, Electronic Arts announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year 2025, alongside the full year.
Split Fiction has sold nearly 4 million copies, and the next battlefield is confirmed for a release by March 2026 with a reveal this Summer.
Frostbite 2 FTW!!!
I'd only be interested if they make it like the first Mass Effect, bring back the cool down weapons and make it more like an RPG.
I don't know about creating a new character, I put so much work into my Shepard and with the horrible ending we got...I don't know, it's like watching a TV series, liking the main character and his character development and then when you get to the series finale it turns out to be crap...your left there thinking "This guy and show deserve more then this, they should of went out with a bang".
We'll see I suppose but I'm not going to trust them.
Judging by the huge overhaul, it looks like its gonna be a long time before the next ME, imagine the work going into a game like that....where do you even start?
O M G you guys cant even wait a full year after ME3, take a vacation a break go to Hawaii. This gen devs announced there games way, way, WAY to early.
Love the idea of switching engines,but it will be the Same tedious back & forth make friends ,save a son ,save a race , save the universe, find something thought to be lost. Just not with Shepard ,guess the Trilogy pack will be my last buy of anything Mass Effect. i will forgo & pass on this game or any that follow.