Mass Effect 5 will have “photorealistic” visuals and a “mature” tone, Bioware says
BioWare is all set to launch Dragon Age: The Veilguard on October 31st on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series S/X. Prior to release, the game’s character design, which favors a somewhat cartoonish style, proved to be divisive among fans. BioWare has now commented on the planned visual style of the next Mass Effect game currently in development at the studio. Unlike Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the sci-fi RPG will follow a more “photorealistic” and mature visual style and tone.
Mass Effect 5 art style ‘grows up’
The update on the art style of the next Mass Effect title comes from project director and executive producer Michael Gamble. In his comments on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday, Gamble said the approach to creating the next Mass Effect was different from Dragon Age.
“A lot of people are asking me about Mass Effect now that Veilguard reviews are out and October 31st is close,” Gamble said. “Both come from the studio, but Mass Effect is Mass Effect. The way you bring a sci-fi RPG to life is different from other genres or IPs… and it has to involve different kinds of love,” he added.
A lot of people are asking me about Mass Effect now that Veilguard reviews are out and October 31st is close.
Both come from the studio, but Mass Effect is Mass Effect. The way you bring a sci-fi RPG to life is different from other genres or IPs… and requires different kinds of love.
— Michael Gamble (@GambleMike) October 28, 2024
In a reply to the post, Gamble confirmed that the in-development Mass Effect game will feature a more realistic and grounded visual style and themes.
“As for tonal questions, Mass Effect will maintain the mature tone of the original trilogy. This is all I’m going to say for now,” he said.
Gamble, who leads the team working on the next Mass Effect game, also addressed comments about characters in Dragon Age: The Veilguard evoking a Pixar aesthetic. The RPG’s art style for its characters is a departure from previous Dragon Age titles, which had a grittier visual style. Gamble said the next Mass Effect game won’t give up on realism. “I’m not sure I agree with the Pixar thing, but Mass Effect is photorealistic and will remain that way as long as I use it,” he said.
The next chapter in the Mass Effect franchise was revealed with a teaser trailer at The Game Awards 2020. Mass Effect 5 does not yet have an official title or release date. The last game in the series was Mass Effect: Andromeda, released on PC, PS4 and Xbox One in 2017.
