From Legendary Edition Closure to New Ventures: Walters Opens Up About His Departure and Fresh Beginnings
Mac Walters, the former lead writer of the iconic Mass Effect series, recently shared insights into his decision to part ways with BioWare after an illustrious 19-year tenure. In a candid conversation with MinnMax, Walters shed light on various factors that influenced his departure, ranging from a sense of fulfillment with the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition to the desire for a fresh start and the opportunity to work in a smaller team setting once again.
The Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, a compilation of the original trilogy presented in one collection for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, played a significant role in Walters’ decision to move on. The unexpected nature of the project, which was not part of the long-term planning typical for games, allowed Walters to adopt a more entrepreneurial approach. This unconventional process reminded him of BioWare’s early days—a time characterized by a small, scrappy team wearing multiple hats, akin to the camaraderie of the “good old days.”
As the lead writer for Mass Effect 2 and 3, Walters found a sense of closure with the Legendary Edition. The project’s success, both critically and financially, provided a satisfying conclusion to his journey with Mass Effect. Walters expressed that the experience felt like the “bow on all the things I’ve done with Mass Effect,” leading him to decide against further involvement in the series, stating, “I don’t want to do any more Mass Effect after this. Why tempt fate?”
With a desire to explore new creative horizons and BioWare already committed to projects like Mass Effect 5 and Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, Walters founded his own studio—Worlds Untold. This new venture, backed by Chinese game firm NetEase and based in Vancouver, Canada, aims to develop “triple-A action adventure games with an emphasis on narrative and worldbuilding.” Walters’ departure from BioWare marks not just an end to an era but the beginning of an exciting chapter in his career, as he ventures into uncharted territory with Worlds Untold.