In a twist that has left both Mass Effect and Star Wars fans reeling, a new report suggests that EA's decision to greenlight Star Wars: Battlefront 3 came at the direct expense of Mass Effect 5—and ultimately contributed to the closure of BioWare. According to Bloomberg, executives weighed two costly sci-fi projects, each with budgets in the hundreds of millions, and ultimately bet on the safer franchise: Star Wars.
The report describes a pivotal moment when EA leadership compared the two ventures. They reportedly viewed Star Wars as the more predictable investment, a known quantity with a massive built-in audience. Meanwhile, the next Mass Effect—a project that had been teased for years—was left on the chopping block. Perhaps most frustrating for fans: Battlefront 3 hadn't even entered development when that call was made.
Why EA Reportedly Chose Battlefront 3 Over Mass Effect 5
EA's hesitation around BioWare wasn't entirely unfounded, at least from a business perspective. The studio's recent track record included Mass Effect: Andromeda, Anthem, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard—all of which underperformed commercially or critically. Those disappointments reportedly colored how executives assessed any new expensive project from the studio.
By contrast, Battlefront 3 represented a familiar genre backed by one of the biggest entertainment franchises on the planet. A multiplayer shooter set in the Star Wars universe seemed like a safer bet than another narrative-heavy RPG from a studio that had struggled to recapture its former glory. But that cold calculus offers little comfort to players who fell in love with BioWare's unique blend of relationships, decisions, and consequences.
The Mass Effect series was never just about shooting aliens or exploring space. It was about the people you met along the way—the conversations, the romances, the impossible choices that carried across three games. A multiplayer shooter, no matter how polished, wouldn't fill that void. And for many, the loss of Mass Effect 5 stings even more because of what it could have been.
Adding to the heartbreak, a leaked trailer for the canceled Mass Effect 5 recently surfaced, revealing a spy-thriller tone set in space. It was a tantalizing glimpse at a game that will never see the light of day. Meanwhile, the Mass Effect TV series is reportedly still alive at Prime Video, offering a sliver of hope that the universe might continue in another medium.
What We Know About Battlefront 3
Details about Star Wars: Battlefront 3 remain scarce. Earlier reports linked DICE and Respawn to the project, suggesting a potential team-up between two studios with shooter pedigree. However, the latest account offers no release date, no gameplay details, and no confirmation of what the finished game will include. Its reported position in EA's plans shouldn't be mistaken for a public reveal.
For now, the connection between Battlefront 3 and Mass Effect 5's cancellation is still just a report—but it's one that paints a stark picture of how corporate priorities can shape the fate of beloved franchises. The overlap between fans hoping for another Battlefront and those mourning BioWare's next galactic adventure is significant, making this a trade-off that few are celebrating.
As the industry watches to see what becomes of both franchises, one thing is clear: the decision to prioritize Star Wars over Mass Effect has left a wound that won't heal anytime soon. Whether Battlefront 3 eventually delivers a worthy experience remains to be seen, but it will always carry the shadow of what was sacrificed to make it happen.
