Former Mass Effect Developer Places New Game ‘On Hold’ Indefinitely

The AAA studio Worlds Untold, headed by Mass Effect alumni Mac Walters, has announced a pause of operations after a split with publisher NetEase. Worlds Untold launched in 2023 with ambitions to create a narrative-focused action-adventure title that moved decisively away from the RPG format prevalent in the Mass Effect franchise.

Walters previously worked with BioWare for almost two decades as lead writer for Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, and creative director for Mass Effect: Andromeda, among other projects. Walters left BioWare in 2023 before establishing Worlds Untold later that year, stating that he felt he’d reached his natural conclusion with the Mass Effect franchise and wanted to focus on creating original IPs with a strong narrative core.

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Posting on LinkedIn, Walters described the studio’s suspension as “very difficult,” saying that the formation of Worlds Untold was an intensely personal undertaking. He goes on to note that the pause is not intended to be the final stop for the studio and that it will be looking for new partnerships to continue its work. Worlds Untold had built a notable team of industry veterans, including Sotaro Tojima, Elizabeth Lehtonen, Ramil Sunga, and more. Despite the lack of finality in the studio’s pause, Walters and other former team members have confirmed that all employees will be seeking new opportunities.

Reasons for Split From NetEase Remain Unclear

The cause of the split between NetEase and Worlds Untold was not specified by either party. While studio closures and staff reductions have been a common thread in the games industry over the past two years (including layoffs at BioWare in 2023), NetEase has been a leader in the launching of new studios, with BulletFarm, Fantastic Pixel Castle, T-Minus Zero Entertainment, and more all being announced since November 2023.

Whether the unraveling of the relationship with Worlds Untold was the result of blowback from NetEase’s recent expansion, a rift born of creative differences, or some other cause, is not yet known. NetEase has had tumultuous partnerships in the past, amid its aggressive record of acquisition and investment.

Whatever the cause, the gaming world has suffered a loss, with a team of accomplished veterans led by a visionary interactive storyteller having to at least temporarily shelve their ambitious personal vision. While the studio’s talent will most likely find safe harbor in other projects, the fate of this particular game remains unclear. With any luck, Worlds Untold will be able to reestablish financial support for the project and carry on with its work.

Mass Effect

Created by

Casey Hudson

Creation Year

2007

Developer(s)

BioWare , Edge of Reality , Demiurge Studios , Straight Right