Composer Austin Wintory, known for his work on games like Journey and Sword of the Sea, has released 22 minutes of music he created for the now-canceled Mass Effect 5. Wintory had been in discussions with BioWare and EA regarding the project, which was officially shuttered along with the studio recently.
Wintory described Mass Effect as an "all-time dream project" that ultimately did not come to fruition. He detailed his initial discussions in a social media post, explaining his proposal to build upon the foundational scores of the original Mass Effect games. His vision involved incorporating deeper use of analog synthesizers and a more integrated orchestral sound. Driven by his excitement, Wintory produced an "elaborate production" of approximately 20 minutes of music, intended as "pure musical exploration" for the next installment.
He stated that the music was fully recorded and produced using synthesizers, vocals, and a large orchestra in Los Angeles. Wintory noted that while this material might have been reworked or discarded before any official release, he invested significant effort into its creation. He expressed that the news of BioWare's closure and the cancellation of the game was a profound loss, particularly for his friends who lost their jobs and for the beloved franchise.
In a subsequent message, Wintory shared the music on YouTube, calling it a "pure love letter" to the franchise and hoping it does justice to the original compositions by Jack Wall and Sam Hulick. He thanked his contacts at BioWare and EA, stating that the opportunity to "dream in your sandbox was a privilege."
The closure of BioWare and the cancellation of Mass Effect 5 have sent ripples through the gaming industry. The studio, responsible for numerous acclaimed titles, was shut down by EA last week. Since then, leaked materials, including a trailer for a project referred to as Mass Effect: Universe and details about its development, have surfaced, offering glimpses into what might have been. Fan efforts to revive the game, including a petition that has garnered over 230,000 signatures and a billboard displayed in Times Square, underscore the community's dedication to the series.