With reports that Mass Effect 5 may be in development, it seems safe to say that many are hoping to see the franchise return to form. After all, while Andromeda was met with a mixed reception, many consider the original ME Trilogy to be BioWare's prime. That's not to say it was perfect, though; no game or franchise ever is. Now, Mass Effect 2 writer Patrick Weekes explained how one of these imperfections came to me.
Many are likely aware of how unsubtle Shepard is when it comes to romancing Thane, awkwardly giving players the option of "I want you, Thane" just after the Drell Assassin explains how he lost his wife. As Weekes explains, it wasn't always this direct or obvious but needed to be. This paraphrase was the only way to enter into a relationship with Thane, and as it turns out, the original option in Mass Effect 2 was perhaps too subtle.
The conversation or cutscene could not be changed, and it's clear that Thane's writer Chris L'Etoile did amazing work by the scene. However, the original phrase was something like "I'm here for you," which was being missed by several testers. Many had completely missed it by mistake and were quite upset, or had opted into a relationship with Thane by mistake. The only thing at this point that could be changed to fix this 'bug' was the Mass Effect 2 paraphrase, and Weekes explains the 2009 version of themself could only come up with, "I want you, Thane."
At the time, Weekes was aware of how awkwardly timed and all it was but had to create a direct way of showing this choice initiated a relationship in the days before symbols and hover text. They also explain how they would've chosen something like "You matter to me, Thane" now as it would have hopefully been clear and more subtle, yet at the same time, they explained the err'd toward clarity as it was filed as a bug in the otherwise masterpiece that is Mass Effect 2.
Despite this being awkward and not subtle whatsoever, it's one of the small details about the game and franchise that does stand out. Every part of the development process leaves its mark, and while many may remember tough choices like ME2's Suicide Mission, there is plenty more bringing the game to life.
Mass Effect 5 is reportedly in development.
Source: Patrick Weekes