Austin Wintory released about 20 minutes of music from the scrapped Mass Effect 5 as a fan petition passed 249,000 signatures.
Wintory shared the music on YouTube on October 26, 2026, giving fans a glimpse of how the next Mass Effect game might have sounded. He developed the material while discussing a potential role as the game's composer with BioWare and EA.
The petition asks EA either to resume work on Mass Effect or to let another publisher take over the intellectual property. Its hashtag is #SaveMassEffect, and the number of signatures is still rising.
| Measure | Reported figure or status | |
|---|---|---|
| Petition signatures | More than 249,000, according to the article's cited report | |
| Petition status | Active; signature totals may change | |
| Campaign | #SaveMassEffect |
The reported petition total varies across coverage published at different times. One account cited more than 249,000 signatures, while another reported a lower figure. Because the counts may reflect different reporting times, they should not be treated as directly conflicting measurements.
The music came before the cancellation
- 2025Recording
Wintory produced nearly 20 minutes of music with synths, vocals and a large orchestra in LA.
- Earlier in October 2026Project scrapped
BioWare announced that it was closing and that early development on the next Mass Effect project was ending. The game is commonly referred to as Mass Effect 5, while reports have also used the name Mass Effect: Universe.
- After the cancellationTrailer shared
A former BioWare employee released a work-in-progress trailer for the new game.
- 26 October 2026Music uploaded
Wintory posted the material on his YouTube channel.
Wintory said he had spent the previous couple of years in serious discussions with BioWare and EA about joining the project, describing the work as a personal ambition and the Mass Effect series as his favourite franchise.
Working on Mass Effect 5 was my career’s biggest dream project, my white whale. It is my favourite franchise of all time, and for the last couple years I’d been in serious conversations with BioWare and EA to jump in.
Wintory recorded the music in 2025 as a creative proposal for the project. He said he had not yet received details of the game's narrative, so the compositions explored possible musical directions rather than responding to a confirmed storyline. He had not been officially hired to compose the game's soundtrack.
As part of the ongoing dialogue, I decided last year (2025) to surprise the folks with an elaborate production: nearly 20 minutes of music, fully recorded and produced with synths, vocals and a large orchestra here in LA. I’d not yet learned any narrative details of what they were planning so this was just pure musical exploration
The released music and the recording
Uploaded release
Reported by one account
Around 20 minutes
- Posted on 26 October 2026
- Shared on YouTube
Recorded production
Wintory’s description
Nearly 20 minutes
- Made in 2025
- Included synths, vocals and orchestra
Wintory described the original production as nearly 20 minutes of music. Reports subsequently described the published YouTube collection as approximately 20 to 22 minutes long. The difference appears to reflect how the music was described or measured in the respective reports.
Wintory said he learned about the project's cancellation and BioWare's announced closure when the news became public. He described the decision as a personal loss, expressing concern for former colleagues who had lost their jobs and disappointment over the uncertainty surrounding the franchise's future.
Receiving the news alongside everyone else that EA had decided to not only cancel the project but shutdown BioWare entirely was a deeply felt loss. It’s been hard to see dear friends lose their jobs, and this beloved franchise seemingly vanish forever.
He also thanked BioWare and EA’s music department for giving him the opportunity to work on the franchise. The music was a pitch and it is not known whether Wintory would have been hired as the game’s composer.
Fans look back as the series faces an uncertain future
The original Mass Effect launched in 2007, followed by Mass Effect 2 in 2010 and Mass Effect 3 in 2012. The trilogy follows Commander Shepard and a crew of allies as they confront the Reaper threat while navigating political conflicts, personal relationships, and consequential choices. Mass Effect: Andromeda followed in 2017, exploring a different group of characters and a new setting.
Wintory is known for his video-game scores, including Journey and Sword of the Sea. His work has earned recognition in the video-game music industry, making his proposed contribution to Mass Effect of particular interest to fans.
Radio Times reported that many fans responded to the released music with disappointment, while BioWare said the work built by generations of its staff was something to celebrate and remember and credited players with shaping the series’ worlds.
In its October 21 announcement, BioWare reflected on its legacy and thanked players for helping shape its games and fictional worlds. The statement acknowledged the studio's closure and the end of early development on the next Mass Effect project, leaving the franchise's future uncertain.
What we know
- Wintory uploaded the music on 26 October 2026.
- The petition has passed 249,000 signatures in one reported count.
- A former BioWare employee shared a work-in-progress trailer after the cancellation.
Still unclear
- Whether EA will respond or continue Mass Effect’s development.
- Whether EA will allow another publisher to take over the intellectual property.
- Whether the game was officially titled Mass Effect 5 or Mass Effect Universe.
- Whether the reported television adaptation will proceed.
Some reports have referred to the cancelled game as Mass Effect: Universe, but the article's available sources do not independently establish that as its official title. Reports have also discussed a potential Mass Effect television adaptation. Its current status and future, however, should be confirmed through an authoritative update before being described as an active production.
The petition remains active. No response or commitment from EA is reported.
