Mass Effect’s running was also an illusion, just like Dragon Age’s horse

Last year, we found out that Dragon Age Inquisition’s ability to “run” your horse was just an illusionThis is a fact that surprised many fans of the nearly decade-old game.

Now, perhaps even more surprising news is this: this wasn’t the first time BioWare pulled this same trick, and no one noticed.

Believe it or not, Mass Effect 1 also has the same fake sprint effect – where when “running” your speed is exactly the same, although it appears faster due to camera effects. Mind boggling.

Former BioWare veteran John Ebenzer, who also exposed the truth about Dragon Age’s horses, dropped the bombshell on social media platform X this week and explained why it happened.

In short, Mass Effect’s sprint didn’t actually let you move faster, for the same reason as Dragon Age: games at the time couldn’t load an area that fast, so it was all about making the player experience such that it felt like you were moving faster.

“It was the same thing in Mass Effect 1 when you try to run across the Citadel,” said Ebenzer wrote“There’s no change in speed, just a change in the FOV of the camera to give the illusion that you’re moving faster.”

“I don’t remember if this was also true for 2 and 3, or if load times had gotten better by then.”

To be clear, this refers to the original version of Mass Effect – and actual sprinting has now been implemented in the very entertaining Legendary Edition trilogy release of the trilogy.

BioWare is back this week with a first proper look at Dragon Age: The Veilguard, out today at 4pm UK time, but You can take a look right nowThe developer has a The small team is hard at work on their next Mass Effect gamewhich is set to mark the return of the Milky Way and fan-favorite character Liara.