BioWare Employee Says Company Was Asked to Remove LGBTQ+ Flag From ‘Mass Effect Universe’

An employee of the recently shuttered video game company BioWare say they were asked to remove a flag from the now-canceled Mass Effect Universe game for looking too similar to an LGBTQ+ Pride flag. In a new report by French outlet BFM TV, relayed in English language press by the video game outlet Polygon, a former employee of the Electronic Arts-owned developer said that after EA was acquired by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) in August, the company was asked to change several aspects of Mass Effect Universe. Specifically, the anonymous employee said that developers were asked to remove a flag from a presentation video for “looking too much like the LGBTQIA+ flag.” “I think the video proposals we presented to the new management weren't convincing,” the employee told the French outlet, per Polygon. “Especially since BioWare is known for its inclusive storytelling, which didn't help to dispel the skepticism.”The employee did not state whether the flag was removed or who the order came from. Publicly, EA has pledged that it will retain creative control over its game and that the company’s “track record of creative freedom and player-first values will remain intact.” Meanwhile, Mass Effect Universe will no longer be coming to consoles. Much to the disappointment of the sci-fi franchise's fans, the game was scrapped when EA closed BioWare on October 21, sending shockwaves through the video game industry.First released in 2007, and now spreading across multiple games and in-universe IP, the Mass Effect franchise has developed a strong queer and trans fan base who resonate with the queer characters included throughout the franchise, and with the inclusive romance options. BioWare has also made impactful contributions to the world of LGBTQ+ representation in gaming by producing Dragon Age, a franchise filled with queer characters and immersive worldbuilding.The allegation about the censored flag comes months after LGBTQ+ fans expressed conce