What can you tell us about that game that we can get excited about? GP: With each Mass Effect game, BioWare really increased your responsibilities and now you’re overseeing Andromeda. The challenge there was: “well you got 22 pages, what are you gonna do with it?” For me those are the ones that stick out. Doing the story and writing for the Homeworlds comics was fun – we were doing these one-offs with different characters and shorter arcs. Telling the story of Redemption was where I found that learning process I mentioned, and I love challenges. MW: Well, it’s hard to beat the first Mass Effect comic. GP: What’s been your favourite story to write? There’s narrative, and dialogue but you also have to describe the scenes in your mind when you’re doing them. And with comics you have to be graphically-minded. As for the writing process itself, I wouldn’t say its simpler, but it is a linear narrative compared to the game’s scenarios. There’s a lot more we can do with the characters, because we’re seeing the world through their point of view. We went back and did The Illusive Man at one point, so we can do things like look at how our villains have developed. I can go into anyone’s head and make them the protagonist. But when we dive into the comics, I would say it’s freeing. The other thing is, the game is a human perspective and story, with a human protagonist. It has it’s own unique set of challenges. When the players make their choice, they want to feel like there’s consequence in the world.

We do things that are unique to the games, like branching narrative. Mac Walters: When we’re writing the video games, we’re taking things into account like player agency and choice. How do you find the writing process compares, between book format and a game script? There’s the franchise’s own ‘expanded universe’ with novels and comics, as well the games themselves. GEEKPR0N: You’ve worked on Mass Effect through various channels. Published through Dark Horse Comics, the company was wonderful enough to help make this interview happen. Mac was on site to promote the release of Mass Effect Omnibus Volume 1, a collection of the comics that expand upon the lore of this signature Sci-Fi series. So, it’s no surprise that we have a million questions for the game’s creators! At NYCC this year we got the chance to fire off a few at Mac Walters.Ī member of the series’ writing team from the first game, Mac is most known for his leadership on Mass Effect 3, as well as the upcoming Andromeda, the anticipated continuation to the series. As any gamer would tell you, there’s a universe of choices in the Mass Effect franchise.

Mac walters interview