BioWare Veteran Jack Wall on Leaving 'Mass Effect'

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, known for his 80s sci-fi-inspired scores, collaborated with BioWare on Mass Effect (2007) and Mass Effect 2 (2010), the latter's soundtrack featuring the iconic "Suicide Mission" and considered a series highlight.

His non-involvement in 2012's Mass Effect 3 stemmed from a disagreement with then-development chief Casey Hudson. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Wall stated, “Casey was not particularly happy with me at the end,” attributing the conflict to creative differences. Despite this, he expressed pride in his Mass Effect 2 score, which earned a BAFTA nomination.

The Guardian alluded to creative tension, but Wall remained tight-lipped about specifics, stating, “Fallouts like that happen, it’s just part of the deal.”

Wall provided further context by detailing the immense 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 pressure and lack of support during the game's frantic final stages. Despite the difficulties, he considers the resulting sequence a career highlight.

Following Mass Effect 2, Wall composed for the Call of Duty franchise, most recently Black Ops 6. BioWare, currently developing the next Mass Effect installment after Dragon Age: The Veilguard, has yet to reveal its composer.

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