Mass Effect 5 Graphics: Not Pixar-esque

Mass Effects fans who are worried about how BioWare will handle the franchise's next game—especially considering how Veilguard's new stylistic features have been received—your concerns have been addressed by Mass Effect 5's project director.

Mass Effect's Mature Tone Lives On In Mass Effect 5Mass Effect's Next Game Will Remain Photorealistic and Mature

The next entry in the Mass Effect series by EA and BioWare, currently being dubbed as "Mass Effect 5," will feature the same, well-established mature tone of the Mass Effect trilogy. Mass Effect launched to critical acclaim and received praise for its realistic visuals and masterful storytelling that depicts strong subjects, all of which hinge on a deep "level of intensity and cinematic power," as trilogy game director Casey Hudson put it.

With the well-established branding of the sci-fi series, Mass Effect 5 project director and executive producer Michael Gamble recently took to Twitter (X) to address questions about the next game, especially at the current moment that BioWare’s latest Dragon Age title, Dragon Age: Veilguard, nears its release tomorrow, October 31.

One of the main concerns surrounding Mass Effect 5 has to do with how much of The Veilguard's overall tone is perceived as entirely different from previous Dragon Age titles. To put it simply, fans have expressed that BioWare has taken on a Disney or Pixar-like style in executing the game's visuals.

In light of fans' concerns, Michael Gamble confirmed that The Veilguard's stylistic features won't affect Mass Effect 5 in any way. "Both are from the studio, but Mass Effect is Mass Effect. How you bring a Sci Fi RPG to life is different than other genres or IPs...and has to have different kinds of love," Gamble started, adding in a separate tweet that "Mass Effect will maintain the mature tone of the original Trilogy. This is all I'm gonna say for now."

In his series of recent tweets, Gamble also gave his thoughts on BioWare's new take on Dragon Age, saying that he's not sure he agrees "with the Pixar thing," and that Mass Effect will continue to be photorealistic and "will be as long as i'm running it," he added. While other specific details regarding Mass Effect weren't shared, fans shouldn't expect the next entry in the military sci-fi franchise to veer off course especially with regard to its visual style.

N7 Day 2024 Could Bring New Mass Effect 5 Trailer or Announcement

With N7 Day, aka Mass Effect Day, right around the corner, fans have wondered if there is "a chance of setting expectations for N7 day," as one fan asked Gamble on the social media platform. Every year on November 7, BioWare has made noteworthy announcements regarding Mass Effect. In 2020, the Mass Effect community was particularly thrilled as the studio unveiled the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition trilogy remaster pack.

On Mass Effect 5 specifically, fans were treated to a series of cryptic posts during last year's N7 Day. The slew of cryptic posts sparked excitement among Mass Effect fans, hinting at the upcoming title's storyline, possible character returns, and even the game's working title. The clips feature a mysterious character wearing a full-face helmet and suit with an N7 logo print.

The teasers culminated in the release of a full 34-second clip, and apart from these teaser clips, nothing major has been shared regarding Mass Effect 5 so far, but we're holding out hope for some form of new teaser or major announcement to be made during N7 Day 2024.