Award-winning video game composer Austin Wintory has shared a leaked soundtrack for Mass Effect 5, which was in development before BioWare's closure. Wintory was reportedly working on the soundtrack with EA and BioWare, but nothing was finalized. The leaked soundtrack features 20 minutes of experimental score, including seven unique tracks and one remix. Wintory wrote close to 20 minutes of music to explore where the franchise can go next, and shared the music alongside an image that reads, 'Mass Effect: Universe, the music that might have been.'
Wintory's post on Bluesky reveals his passion for the Mass Effect franchise, stating that it was his ultimate white whale, his all-time dream project. He wrote that he had been in discussion with BioWare and EA to take on the project, and that he was inspired by the work of Jack Wall and Sam Hulick on the first game. The soundtrack is a direct homage to their work, with a focus on true analog synths and a more complex integration of the orchestra.