Mass Effect 5 reportedly won't exist after EA closed BioWare, IGN says

GG Brief Editorial Desk · AI-assisted, source attributed

IGN's Jackie Thomas reported in an opinion piece that Mass Effect 5 will never exist, claiming this is because EA closed down BioWare. Thomas wrote that she had hoped Mass Effect 5 would redeem the series after Mass Effect: Andromeda. She described the loss as personal, noting she has replayed Mass Effect games for nearly 20 years. The piece is an opinion column and does not present official statements from EA or BioWare.

• What happened: IGN's Jackie Thomas reported in an opinion piece that Mass Effect 5 "will never exist," attributing that outcome to EA closing down BioWare.
• Why it matters: Thomas said she had expected Mass Effect 5 to redeem the franchise after Mass Effect: Andromeda and framed the cancellation claim as the end of that hoped-for opportunity; she also noted she has replayed the series for nearly 20 years.
• Context: This is an IGN opinion piece by Jackie Thomas, updated Oct 21, 2026, and presents the author's personal view rather than an independently verified corporate announcement.
• What next: The IGN article does not include or cite official statements from EA or BioWare confirming the closure or the reported status of Mass Effect 5; no further corporate confirmation is reported in the piece.