# Composer Sam Hulick Releases Re-scored Mass Effect Universe Trailer Original trilogy composer Sam Hulick shares a musical tribute following BioWare's studio closure. - **Source:** [PC Gamer](https://www.pcgamer.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e4e8266c-77ab-4f34-8657-6eb363bcd98b ## A Final Musical Tribute Composer Sam Hulick has released a re-scored version of the leaked Mass Effect: Universe trailer. Created as a personal love letter to fans on N7 Day, the project serves as closure for Hulick. He aimed to honor the original trilogy's legacy while reflecting on the project's abrupt cancellation following BioWare's closure. ## BioWare's Initial Collaboration BioWare had previously contacted Hulick to develop music for an internal demo of the new game. While no official composer had been selected for the full title, Hulick was actively brainstorming the project's sonic direction. This collaboration ended prematurely when the studio was shut down, halting all development on the project. ## Balancing Legacy and Innovation Hulick’s re-score balances the raw analog synths of the first game with the orchestral bombast seen in later entries. He describes the work as a balancing act between paying homage to the original trilogy and exploring new ground. The trailer highlights his range across ambient, cinematic, and intense combat musical styles. ## Evolution of Production Techniques Since his work on the 2013 Citadel DLC, Hulick has significantly refined his production process. He now creates custom sounds from scratch rather than relying on pre-made synth presets. This shift allows for a more polished, unique sonic palette that feels authentic to the Mass Effect universe while showcasing modern technical improvements. ## The Vision for Synthwave Hulick intended to incorporate more synthwave elements into the new score, particularly during high-action sequences. He believes this genre fits the series' aesthetic, though he maintains that orchestral arrangements remain essential. For him, removing all traditional instruments would hobble the emotional peaks that define the narrative soul of the franchise. ## Integrating Lyrical Tracks A key part of Hulick's vision involved integrating songs with lyrics to elevate emotional narrative moments. He cited the popularity of the Faunts track from the first game as inspiration. He had considered collaborating with synthwave artists like Gunship, NINA, and The Midnight to achieve this moody, cinematic, and evocative atmosphere. ## Historical Context of Scores The Mass Effect trilogy featured a rotating roster of composers, including Jack Wall, Jimmy Hinson, and Clint Mansell. Each entry evolved the sound, moving from analog-heavy tracks to grand orchestral arrangements. Hulick’s work on the original games remains a core part of his professional identity and his personal musical origin story. ## Industry Impact and Closure The cancellation of Mass Effect: Universe and the closure of BioWare mark a significant moment in the gaming industry. Hulick expressed deep sadness regarding the news, emphasizing the impact the franchise had on his career. His re-scored trailer stands as a final, poignant goodbye to a series he helped define. ## Sources covering this story - [PC Gamer — Composer Sam Hulick Releases Re-scored Mass Effect Trailer](https://www.pcgamer.com/games/mass-effect/mass-effect-composer-sam-hulick-releases-his-re-scored-trailer-for-n7-day-my-way-of-saying-goodbye-at-least-for-now/) - [Rock Paper Shotgun — Composer Sam Hulick Shares Unreleased Mass Effect Universe Score](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/this-trailer-is-my-way-of-saying-goodbye-have-a-listen-to-the-mass-effect-5-score-that-could-have-been-courtesy-of-one-of-the-original-games-composers) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._