Mac Walters is a video game developer best known for his work at BioWare as a writer on the Mass Effect series.[1]
Mac Walters | |
|---|---|
 Walters in 2011 | |
| Occupation(s) | Video game writer, director |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Notable work | Mass Effect |
| Title | Founder and studio head at Worlds Untold |
Career
editWalters joined BioWare in 2003 as a writer on Jade Empire.[2] He followed this with a senior writer on the first Mass Effect game, before becoming lead writer on the second and third entry in the series.[3] As the writing team worked on the story, Walters encouraged the team to focus more on characters, to get players invested in the events of the game.[4] Around the time of the second Mass Effect game, Walters also wrote the story for a spin-off comic called Mass Effect: Redemption.[5] In 2013, Walters was also nominated for a BAFTA award for his writing on Mass Effect 3.[6]
He briefly served as narrative director on Anthem,[7] before returning to the Mass Effect universe as creative director on Mass Effect: Andromeda.[2] As they began work on Andromeda, Walters encouraged the team to return to a creative place where "anything is possible", rather than simply making Mass Effect 4.[4] During this time, Walters also penned a novel to bridge the narrative events of the Mass Effect trilogy and Andromeda.[8] The planned fourth novel was effectively canceled, as Walters' duties as creative director of Andromeda eventually took precedence, and development has stalled for the Mass Effect film.[9] After the release of Andromeda, Walters became project director for Mass Effect Legendary Edition.[2]
Walters became the production director on Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.[3] In 2023, Walters announced he was leaving BioWare after 19 years with the company.[2] In November 2023, NetEase announced the establishment of Worlds Untold, a new studio in Vancouver, Canada led by Walters.[10][11][12] In November 2024, NetEase withdrew its funding from Worlds Untold, resulting in the studio "pausing" its operations.[13]
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Jade Empire | Writer |
| 2007 | Mass Effect | Writer |
| 2010 | Mass Effect 2 | Lead writer |
| 2012 | Mass Effect 3 | Lead writer |
| 2017 | Mass Effect: Andromeda | Creative director |
| 2019 | Anthem | Narrative director |
| 2021 | Mass Effect: Legendary Edition | Project director |
References
edit- ^ Orland, Kyle (2023-01-23). "Dragon Age: Dreadwolf loses another veteran BioWare producer". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ^ a b c d Bankhurst, Adam (2023-01-23). "Mass Effect Writer Mac Walters Leaves BioWare After Nearly Two Decades". IGN. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ^ a b "Dragon Age Dreadwolf Loses Production Director As 19-Year Veteran Mac Walters Is Leaving BioWare". GameSpot. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ^ a b "Mass Effect: Andromeda Mac Walters Interview". GameSpot. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ^ "Mass Effect comic arrives Jan. 6". GameSpot. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ^ Pitcher, Jenna (2013-03-06). "Journey sweeps this year's BAFTA Game awards". Polygon. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ^ "Mass Effect veteran Mac Walters leaves BioWare after 19 years". Eurogamer.net. 2023-01-23. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ^ "Mass Effect is getting four spin-off novels bridging the gap to Andromeda". Eurogamer.net. 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ^ "BioWare talks Mass Effect Andromeda squadmates, cut content and that missing release date". Eurogamer.net. 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
- ^ "NetEase Games establishes new studio Worlds Untold led by Mass Effect series writer Mac Walters". Gematsu. 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ^ YIN-POOLE, WESLEY (2023-11-16). "Mass Effect Writer Mac Walters Founds New Studio, Worlds Untold". IGN. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ Andy Chalk (2023-11-16). "Mass Effect veteran Mac Walters is heading up a new studio with NetEase". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ Phillips, Tom (27 November 2024). "Mass Effect veteran will "pause operations" at fresh AAA game studio while seeking new partner". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved 27 November 2024.