Austin Wintory, the composer known for Journey, recently shared 20 minutes of music he created while he was in talks to score BioWare’s cancelled Mass Effect RPG, according to Rock Paper Shotgun. Wintory referred to the franchise as his “ultimate white whale.”
This material is experimental and comes from discussions about his potential involvement with the project. It’s the latest update on Mass Effect 5 since the game was scrapped.
The release coincides with fans urging EA to clarify the series’ future. A #SaveMassEffect petition has surpassed 240,000 signatures, as reported by The Escapist. Following BioWare’s closure, the petition asks EA to either continue the series or license it to another studio.
The petition is gaining traction. Tbreak UAE reported it had over 200,000 signatures in a prior count, meaning the total rose by about 40,000 between reports.
Wintory’s music doesn’t confirm he was officially hired, nor does it reveal details about the cancelled game. However, it indicates that serious creative work was happening for the next Mass Effect before it was halted. It’s rare for composers to release this kind of speculative work for unproduced games, making this release particularly noteworthy.
| Music shared by Wintory | ~20 minutes |
| #SaveMassEffect signatures (The Escapist) | 240,000+ |
| #SaveMassEffect signatures (earlier Tbreak report) | 200,000+ |
| Mass Effect 5 status | Cancelled |
| BioWare status | Closed by EA |
Community Pulse
The petition numbers reflect fan sentiment clearly. Over 240,000 people have signed, asking for the series to either continue under EA or be handed off to a new developer. This second option shows fans are open to a different studio rather than losing the franchise entirely. Wintory’s description of Mass Effect as a “white whale” hints that the desire to work on it extends to its creators as well.
What To Watch
- EA’s response to the petition: So far, the company hasn’t addressed the request to license the series. Any statement about the IP’s future would be noteworthy.
- More leaks and releases: Wintory’s music adds to the ongoing trickle of material from the cancelled project. Other former contributors might follow suit.
- Petition momentum: The count grew by about 40,000 between reports. Keep an eye on whether it continues to rise or plateaus.
Marcus Webb
Marcus Webb covers esports, competitive gaming, and community stories for Explosion.com. A former semi-professional Counter-Strike player, Marcus transitioned to journalism 5 years ago and has since covered major tournaments including The International, League of Legends Worlds, and the Valorant Champions Tour. He brings a player's perspective to competitive gaming coverage and is known for his data-driven analysis of player performance and meta shifts.
