'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. Wall, celebrated for his work on the iconic scores of Mass Effect (2007) and Mass Effect 2 (2010), notably the acclaimed "Suicide Mission" track, did not return for the third installment. His absence, a surprise to many fans, stems from a disagreement with then-development chief Casey Hudson.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Wall revealed the rift, stating, "Casey was not particularly happy with me at the end," while expressing pride in the Bafta-nominated Mass Effect 2 score. He characterized the situation as a professional disagreement, a "fallout" that happens occasionally in the industry.

Wall provided further context, detailing the immense challenges involved in completing Mass Effect 2's score, 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 intense final development stages. Despite the difficulties, he remains proud of the final result, considering it one of the best game endings ever created.

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

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