Mass Effect’s former lead writer and BioWare veteran Mac Walters will be heading NetEase’s newest game studio, Worlds Untold. Read on to learn more about his previous works, his new position, and the studio's upcoming projects.
Former Mass Effect Lead Writer Helms NetEase’s Latest Projects
Chinese publisher NetEase, known for games like Marvel Super War and Knives Out, is opening a studio based in Vancouver. Promising a greater focus on narrative-driven games, the new studio, dubbed "Worlds Untold", will be headed by one of BioWare’s former lead writers, Mac Walters.
Mac Walters’ 20-Year Long Career at BioWare
Known for his work with the Mass Effect series, Mac Walters is considered a veteran among his peers in BioWare, leading the forefront of the company’s narrative direction for nearly two decades. After his humble beginnings as a writer for the martial arts JRPG Jade Empires, he became a senior writer for the first entry to the critically acclaimed sci-fi RPG series Mass Effect.
After this, Walters became the lead writer for Mass Effect 2 and 3, the creative director for Mass Effect: Andromeda, the project director for the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition remasters, and the production director for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. His tenure at BioWare ended earlier this year, citing "with a new year comes new adventures".
With such a storied career spanning 20 years, it’s easy to see why he was considered by NetEase to be the CEO of their newest studio.
Other Industry Veterans Joining Worlds Untold
Although he’ll be heading Worlds Untold, Mac Walters is far from being the only industry professional comprising the admittedly impressive lineup of its production team. Head of Art Ramil Sunga has two decades of experience in concept-art-related roles for games like Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem, and the Dragon Age franchise. Audio Director Sotaro Tojima previously worked on the Metal Gear and Halo series, while Head of Production Elizabeth Lehtonen previously worked on Dragon Age, The Sims, and Angry Birds.
Ben Goldstein, who will be joining Worlds Untold as its Head of Technology, has over 20 years of experience in the game industry, leading projects like the Xbox One version of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and the PlayStation 4 version of For Honor.
A Sneak Peek At Worlds Untold’s First Project
Though the title is yet unannounced, Worlds Untold’s newest project is shaping up to be an action-adventure game with a focus on narrative-driven gameplay and world-building. It also looks like whatever they’re working on may extend far beyond the realm of video games, as the announcement on the studio's website says that the project is meant to span several games and could not be restricted "by a single story".
"We’re creating incredible and meaningful stories that we believe are best told and experienced through play," Walters commented. "We are starting by crafting worlds that we all dream of discovering and then will put the player in the leading role of the most unforgettable adventures. The team at NetEase Games shares our vision and passion to utilize leading-edge technology to create the best possible new games. Their teams’ support and creative freedom afford us the opportunity to deliver on that vision."
The project’s promise of transcending the video game medium could mean anything from novels, comic books, or even TV and film. Considering that Walters’ previous works also had their own cavalcade of books, comics, and animated shows, this kind of transcendental media is well within his capabilities.
