'Fallouts Like That Happen, It's Just Part of the Deal' — Mass Effect 1 and 2 Composer Jack Wall Discusses Why He Failed to Return for Mass Effect 3

Composer Jack Wall explains his absence from Mass Effect 3's soundtrack, a departure that surprised fans given his acclaimed work on the first two games. Wall, collaborating with BioWare, crafted the distinctive 80s sci-fi-inspired scores for the original 2007 Mass Effect and its 2010 sequel, Mass Effect 2. The latter's soundtrack, notably featuring the iconic "Suicide Mission" track, is widely considered a series highlight.

However, Wall's absence from the 2012 Mass Effect 3 soundtrack remains a topic of discussion. A recent interview with The Guardian revealed a creative clash with then-Mass Effect lead Casey Hudson. Wall stated, "Casey wasn't particularly happy with me at the end," adding that despite the Bafta nomination and overall success, the collaboration didn't meet Hudson's expectations.

While Wall remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the disagreement, hinting at "creative tension," he acknowledged the professional fallout. He described the experience as "a tough time," but emphasized that such occurrences are an occasional reality in his profession.

Wall offered more detail about the challenges in completing Mass Effect 2, particularly the "Suicide Mission" sequence. He described the process as "the biggest mind-f***ing thing I've ever done," highlighting the intense pressure and lack of support during the game's final stages. Despite the difficulties, he expressed pride in the final product, deeming the ending sequence one of the best he's ever worked on.

Following Mass Effect 2, Wall transitioned to composing for the Call of Duty franchise, recently contributing to Black Ops 6. BioWare, currently focused on the next Mass Effect installment following Dragon Age: The Veilguard, has yet to announce its choice of composer for the upcoming title.

The Best BioWare RPGs

Pick a winner

New duel1ST2ND3RDSee your ResultsFinish playing for your personal results or see the community’s!Continue playingSee results