Mass Effect 5 Writers Break Silence After BioWare Shutdown
Catherynne M. Valente and Derek Künsken described their work on the canceled BioWare sequel, with Künsken saying around 50 team members deserve praise and new jobs.
Writers Catherynne M. Valente and Derek Künsken publicly commented on their work on Mass Effect 5 on October 21, 2026, after BioWare was shut down and the game was canceled. Valente stated she had worked on the project as a writer for three years, while Künsken confirmed he worked on it on and off for five years.
Valente said the Mass Effect 5 team had figured out how to make the sequel and was working on a great game. Künsken described working with Valente on character and lore as the most energizing, in-the-zone collaboration he had experienced.
Künsken also said around 50 people on the team deserve praise and new jobs. Valente clarified she was not involved in Mass Effect: Andromeda, Anthem or Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Mass Effect 5 was announced in 2020 and had only been teased a handful of times since. The first trailer featured original trilogy party member Liara T'Soni, and later teases implied a Milky Way team would answer an Andromeda distress call.
Valente wrote the novel Mass Effect: Andromeda Annihilation.
Quick answers
Was Mass Effect 5 canceled?
Yes, BioWare was shut down and Mass Effect 5 was canceled, as reported the day before the writers' comments.
How long did Catherynne M. Valente work on Mass Effect 5?
Valente stated she worked on the game as a writer for three years.
How long did Derek Künsken work on Mass Effect 5?
Künsken confirmed he worked on Mass Effect 5 on and off for five years.