Composer Austin Wintory, known for his work on games like Journey, has shared approximately 20 minutes of music he pitched to BioWare and EA for the development of Mass Effect 5. This release follows the recent and unexpected closure of BioWare. Wintory uploaded the music to his personal YouTube channel, stating it was created as a "direct homage" to the original Mass Effect composers, Jack Wall and Sam Hulick.
The music incorporates analog synthesizers and a hybrid orchestral approach, which Wintory likens to the scores for The Matrix films. The collection includes eight tracks, with titles such as "The Legacy of Shepard," which features deliberate nods to the first Mass Effect theme, and "Sailing the Relays," showcasing the blend of synth and orchestra. The final track is a remix of "The Legacy of Shepard."
Wintory shared a somber message in the video description regarding the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of the project, expressing gratitude to the music departments at BioWare and EA for the opportunity to contribute. He noted the difficulty of seeing friends lose their jobs and the franchise seemingly disappear.
The closure of BioWare by EA, which resulted in layoffs of 50 employees at the studio and an additional 350 across other EA-owned studios, has drawn criticism from many within the industry. The decision has also prompted a response from a Canadian party leader who has suggested supporting BioWare employees in buying back the studio. This situation arose shortly after EA's significant private acquisition by Jared Kushner and Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group.