BioWare reportedly removed a flag said to resemble a Pride flag from a Mass Effect: Universe presentation for EA management

BioWare removed a flag reportedly resembling a Pride flag from a presentation for EA management about the now-canceled Mass Effect: Universe, Kotaku reports, citing BFM Tech's interviews with anonymous former BioWare developers. Kotaku says the team feared the flag “could cause friction” with executives.

BFM reporter Sylvain Trinel told Kotaku the decision was made “in anticipation of potential negative feedback given Electronic Arts’ current shareholding structure.” He said the team was anticipating negative feedback from conservative executives, not trying to hide inclusive elements. Kotaku does not report that EA ordered the flag's removal.

Kotaku also says BFM's sources described video proposals that failed to convince new management the project was worth pursuing. It calls Mass Effect: Universe canceled but does not link the flag's removal to that outcome.