The next Mass Effect game, which was confirmed to be in the works back in 2020, is said to be using Unreal Engine 5. The studio is currently looking for programmers with Unreal Engine experience for the project, so we won’t be seeing it anytime soon.
BioWare appears to have exhausted its efforts to master the Frostbite Engine for its open-world action RPGs. After failing miserably with both Mass Effect Andromeda and Anthem, the team has decided to switch up the tools for the next Mass Effect game, which could be promising given the recent Matrix Awakens tech demo.
Brenon Holmes, a producer at BioWare, said that the studio is looking for programmers with UE4/5 experience to work on the next Mass Effect game. While he didn’t provide any other information about the project, it’s shocking to learn that EA is no longer requiring its companies to use Frostbite in every project.
The original Mass Effect trilogy (as well as the Legendary Edition) was developed on Unreal Technology 3, but since 2016, the publisher has mandated that internal games use DICE’s engine and that no license deals with other firms be made.
And just to confirm, I've heard from a handful of sources now that this is the case. Obviously. And this was a choice made by the team putting the game together, which is how it should work.
— Jeff Grubb (@JeffGrubb) December 18, 2021
Reporter Jeff Grubb spoke about the matter shortly after Holmes’ tweet, stating that he “heard from a few of people now that this is the case.” This was “a choice taken by the team putting the game together, which is how it should work,” according to Grubb.
Grubb revealed in September that BioWare was contemplating other options for Mass Effect. According to him, the business intends to adopt next-gen graphic technology, and Frostbite could be well behind Unreal Engine by 2023 when the game’s development begins in earnest.
It’s worth noting that BioWare is currently working on Dragon Age 4, which will use Frostbite technology. Despite its strength, the engine is thought to be unsuitable for massive third-person RPGs, causing additional issues for the studio. Except for some vague teasers and concept art, we haven’t seen much of Dragon Age 4, but hopefully, it won’t be too long before the game is released.
BioWare has yet to announce a release date for the next Mass Effect or Dragon Age 4.
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