Creation and development Mordin Solus

salarians mass effect s answer gray alien archetype.

mordin s race, salarians, intended take on gray alien archetype. due relative old age, mordin allowed developers explore later lifestages of aliens. vocal specifications, given auditioners, wanted able both dramatic , comedic, referencing marshall flinkman of alias.

the character voiced michael beattie in mass effect 2, though replaced william salyers 3. ginny mcswain served voice director. initially, beattie tried higher-pitched voice, salarians pitched-up used more natural voice. after being replaced, beattie wrote open letter thanking fans had vied return. beattie has said interested in reprising character, whether in movie adaptation or future game.

patrick weekes wrote character. when first handed character s description, scientist strengthened genophage, weekes initial reaction unrecordable, translated jerk , him being fan of first game s krogan squadmate wrex. weekes saw 2 ways take character: either have him unlikeable war criminal , or challenge himself make character believed had made hard choice , did right thing. mordin s final scene on tuchanka in third game, , variations, influenced both weekes , fellow senior writer john dombrow, wrote genophage arc in game. weekes wished give mordin send-off in scene.

each squadmate in mass effect 2 had music composed them, intended convey character; bioware gave composers detailed character studies each help. mordin s theme composed david kates, worked on themes other characters garrus. kates had worked on soundtrack first game. considered mordin s level 1 of fascinating do, , 1 of more electronic pieces. composition contained many counterpoint elements, retro synthesizer qualities .

design

concept art mordin s costume, featuring other suggested designs.

when creating salarians, on designers played around general image of gray alien archetype, having big eyes , grey skin. however, unlike regular gray aliens, salarians ended concave torso , doglike legs. different concepts of salarians drawn, though many rejected being human-looking. unlike of other races, salarians more of warrior poets , have higher sense of culture. heavy eyelids , long face add more sophistication. big black eyes express tranquility , alertness . concave chest more alien, unusual structure, , differed of other races. structure led stylistic choices clothing, under idea d stuff fabric there after meeting other races, art director matt rhodes compared bald man wearing toupée .

mordin s design tried balance scientific side , ability combat-ready tech specialist due time in salarian special forces. final appearance resembles labcoat, , similar other medical characters in series. metal collar serves break silhouette, though serves no purpose in dialogue or lore. sketches explored him field medic or experienced scientist.

other concepts tried altering head horns , eyeshape make him unique. in finished design, mordin missing 1 horn, unexplained origins left player s imagination. missing horn given alternate in-universe explanations in second game s lair of shadow broker downloadable content pack , in mass effect: foundation comic series. design brief mordin asked clint eastwood salarian like? , , end 1 piece of concept art directly took features picture of eastwood , incorporated them on salarian, leading mordin s aged look. compared other salarians, mordin s skin color more mottled , multi-colored, while eyes smaller, if in permanent squint.