Mass Effect 5 gives some news and what some were expecting

BioWare has still barely shown anything about Mass Effect 5. Yet, every little bit of information gets people talking. This time, it was a simple emoji that rekindled fans' enthusiasm. Yes, just one. It just goes to show that players are on the lookout for the slightest bit of information. And it's reassuring compared to yesterday's news about the project possibly being jeopardized at EA.

Mass Effect 5 is getting (a little) attention

It all started with a message posted on X. A player jokingly wrote: "Mass Effect 5 absolutely must keep its good old lens flares." For those who don't know, it's this often exaggerated lighting effect that gives a very "space opera" style to the image. Response from Mike Gamble, game director? A simple "ok" emoji. But in the Mass Effect universe, this kind of wink is rarely innocent. Many fans see this message as a very clear sign and confirmation of their presence in the next installment.

Lens flares are one of the visual elements that marked the original trilogy. A style inherited from the 2000s and popularized by directors like J.J. Abrams. We could notably see them in the latest Star Wars trilogy. Seeing them again in the next installment would be a nice nod to the origins... and a way to reassure fans. Quite a program.

A discreet project

Even though the game has been official for a while, Mass Effect 5 remains shrouded in mystery. It is currently in pre-production, as confirmed by BioWare last February. At this stage, there is no gameplay, no trailer, and even less of a release date. Just a simple teaser. We only know that the game will aim for photorealistic rendering. And that it will offer multiple endings, like the previous episodes. For the moment, it seems to smell very good.

Choices with heavy consequences, then. A return to the roots that seems assumed. But beware: Mass Effect 5 will not be just a tribute. The game is also conceived as a new beginning. A new generation of stories is in preparation, probably with another way of telling the universe.

Source: Mike Gamble