# Mass Effect Could Still Be Saved, Ex-BioWare Developer Suggests, With Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Holding the Key

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/mass-effect-could-still-be-saved-ex-bioware-developer-suggests-with-clair-obscur-expedition-33-holding-the-key/
- Published: 2026-11-11T13:00:21+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T14:40:32+00:00
- Original publisher: IGN
- Original article: https://www.ign.com/articles/mass-effect-could-still-be-saved-ex-bioware-developer-suggests-with-clair-obscur-expedition-33-holding-the-key
- Topics: Entertainment, Gaming, Software, Technology

## Key points

- Christina Norman estimates a new Mass Effect could cost about $50 million.
- Clair Obscur reportedly cost less than $10 million to make.
- EA retains the rights, and fans are pressing it to reconsider.

## Summary

Christina Norman, a former BioWare lead programmer and designer, says a new Mass Effect game could be made for around $50 million, challenging estimates that completing the cancelled Mass Effect Universe project would cost more than $200 million. Her comments have renewed discussion about whether a smaller team and budget could keep the series going after EA shut BioWare and cancelled the project.

Norman pointed to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which was reported to have cost less than $10 million to make, as an example of what a focused team can achieve. Former BioWare co-founder Trent Oster has also said a cheaper Mass Effect might be possible, though it would differ from the cancelled project. EA still owns the franchise rights; a petition urging it to reconsider the cancellation has gathered more than 325,000 signatures.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.