We’re tracking a curious twist in the ongoing fallout from BioWare's abrupt closure: a veteran series composer says he’ll re-release a re-scored version of the leaked trailer for what appears to be Mass Effect: Universe, the project widely tied to Mass Effect 5. Take this with a pinch of salt — the details are thin, but the names and quotes involved make this worth watching.
What Was Reported
According to GamesRadar, the leaked trailer that many fans believe was for Mass Effect: Universe suggested a new direction for the series, allegedly pairing returning party member Liara T'Soni with a new human protagonist in place of Commander Shepard. The trailer reportedly included the phrase "coming soon".
Now a notable musical footnote: veteran composer Sam Hulick — who scored the original Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 — tweeted that he plans to "release the re-scored Mass Effect Universe trailer for N7 Day." Hulick added that it’s "a little tight" because he’s "a bit busy pitching for a new game," but that "I don't wanna rush it, and I want it to properly represent my musical vision for MEU." That tweet is dated October 26, 2026.
N7 Day, the franchise celebration, happens on November 7 — a timeline Hulick himself described as "a little tight" for producing a careful re-score.
The Source & Credibility
Be cautious about reading too much into this. Per GamesRadar, Hulick is a freelance composer and "was never officially hired on as a BioWare employee," which the site notes likely limited his access to concrete development details for the next game. That caveat is important: while Hulick’s involvement with the series gives his statement weight, it does not confirm the legality or provenance of the leaked trailer.
There’s additional context around the score for the unfinished project: the composer behind Journey, Austin Wintory, recently released 20 minutes of music he wrote in an unofficial capacity for Mass Effect 5, and said "no one" had yet been hired to score the sequel. That remark, also reported by GamesRadar, suggests music for the project may have been handled informally or on spec — and that Hulick’s resurfacing involvement should be treated as unofficial unless otherwise confirmed.
For readers who’ve followed the leaks, this story ties into earlier appearances of the footage: see our other coverage of Mass Effect: Universe for more on the leaked in-engine material and reporting around it. And for the bigger picture on the studio situation, check our coverage of BioWare's closure and EA restructuring.
What It Could Mean
If true, a Hulick re-score could do a few things for the community. First, it would offer a more polished musical presentation of the leaked footage — a way for fans to hear how a seasoned series composer imagines the sound of the project. Hulick’s explicit desire to "properly represent my musical vision for MEU" implies he intends to treat the material as an artistic piece rather than a rushed grab for exposure.
Second, Hulick’s move could increase scrutiny of the leaked trailer itself. His participation may lend perceived legitimacy to the footage in the eyes of some fans, even though his freelance status and the unofficial nature of the trailer mean it should not be taken as proof of the game's development status or of any planned release.
Finally, this highlights how scattered the creative inputs for the cancelled project appear to have been. With Austin Wintory releasing unofficial music and Hulick offering a re-score, it looks like multiple composers engaged with material related to Mass Effect 5 without a single confirmed scoring hire, if GamesRadar’s reporting is accurate.
Why This Matters
Whether you’re mourning the end of BioWare or simply curious about what could have been, a re-scored trailer from Sam Hulick would be more than fan service — it would be a rare, creative touchpoint for a project that many expected to never see the light of day. If Hulick follows through for N7 Day, we’ll get to hear one respected composer's musical take on leaked footage that has already sparked debate about the future of the franchise.
That said, take all of this with a grain of salt. According to GamesRadar, key participants were operating unofficially or as freelancers, and the game itself is described as canceled. I’m excited to hear what Hulick produces if he releases the re-scored trailer, but I’ll be careful about reading it as a confirmation of anything beyond his personal musical vision.
