Mass Effect Writer Mac Walters Pauses Work on Worlds Untold Amid Split with NetEase
Another setback has struck the sci-fi gaming landscape, as Mac Walters, the writer of Mass Effect 3 and game director for Andromeda, announced the temporary suspension of development at his studio, Worlds Untold. This decision follows a split with funding partner NetEase, leaving the team searching for a new collaborator to bring their ambitious project to life.
Mac Walters' Statement
In a heartfelt post on LinkedIn, Walters shared the news:
“We’ve made the very difficult decision to pause operations at Worlds Untold while we search for a new partner... This was not a decision we made lightly—it’s been a deeply personal journey, and we’re all so proud of everything this team has built together.”
Walters expressed optimism that this isn’t the end for the studio or the game, emphasizing their commitment to the vision and the talented team behind it.
Revealed last year, Walters’ new title was set to be a story-driven action-adventure game rather than a traditional RPG. Walters drew inspiration from cinematic and narrative-rich games like The Last of Us, Uncharted, and Tomb Raider, aiming to craft a linear yet deeply engaging story exploring choice and consequence in fresh ways.
In a previous interview, Walters explained:
“I’ve done RPGs, and I love them, but I wanted to do something that led with story... something that allowed me to tell a great adventure story.”
The game was positioned to channel the narrative depth of Mass Effect but in a more streamlined format, promising a unique sci-fi experience.
The news of Worlds Untold’s pause follows another major blow to the genre: the closure of Casey Hudson’s Humanoid Studios, also due to funding challenges. Hudson, a fellow Mass Effect veteran, had been working on an ambitious sci-fi project before his studio was forced to shut down.
Walters hinted at the possibility of a comeback for the studio and the project, but for now, the team has been encouraged to seek new opportunities. With the studio’s talent and Walters’ pedigree, there’s hope that Worlds Untold will find a new partner and resume development.
