Shortly after Mass Effect veteran Casey Hudson's new AAA studio shut down, another BioWare veteran's venture has announced a pause in operations. Mac Walters, who spent nearly 20 years at BioWare, established his own studio, Worlds Untold, in 2023. This week, Walters shared the challenging news that Worlds Untold will be "pausing operations" as the studio looks for a "new partner" for its upcoming game.
The phrasing hints at potential issues with NetEase, the previous partner of Worlds Untold. NetEase was announced as the financial backer of the studio. Walters had earlier expressed that NetEase was the ideal partner due to shared vision and passion, along with the necessary creative freedom and funding.
"This was not a decision we made lightly—it's been a deeply personal journey, and we're all so proud of everything this team has built together," Walters stated. "In the meantime, our incredible team members will be exploring new opportunities." He added, "This is a heartbreaking moment for everyone involved, but I'm deeply grateful for the support of our partners, friends, and family, and for the time we've had together at Worlds Untold."
Although the project is on hold, Walters assured, "This isn't goodbye," promising that "more is to come." He concluded, "We look forward to sharing the next chapter with you when the time is right."
Worlds Untold, founded in 2023, was focused on creating "AAA action adventure games" emphasizing narrative and worldbuilding. The team aimed to develop franchises with "endless possibilities." The studio boasted a talented team, including Halo and Metal Gear Solid veteran Sotaro Tojima as audio director, Dragon Age veteran Elizabeth Lehtonen as head of production, and BioWare veteran Ramil Sunga as head of art.
Meanwhile, Hudson's studio, Humanoid Origin, is closing entirely due to an "unexpected shortfall of funding."
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