Home News > '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

'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

by Oliver Apr 22,2025

Composer Jack Wall, renowned for his work on the soundtracks of the first two Mass Effect games, recently shared insights into why he did not return for Mass Effect 3. Wall, who crafted the iconic 80s sci-fi inspired music for the series, saw his work on Mass Effect 2 (2010) particularly praised. The game is often hailed as one of the greatest action role-playing games ever made, with Wall's score, including the memorable 'Suicide Mission,' lauded as a standout achievement within the franchise.

In a revealing interview with The Guardian, Wall disclosed that his absence from Mass Effect 3 (2012) stemmed from a falling out with Casey Hudson, who was leading the Mass Effect development at the time. Wall expressed pride in his work despite the tension, stating, "Casey was not particularly happy with me at the end. But I’m so proud of that score. It got nominated for a Bafta, and it did really well… [even if] it didn’t go as well as Casey wanted."

While The Guardian hinted at "creative tension" between Wall and Hudson, Wall remained circumspect, noting that such fallouts are part of the creative process. "Fallouts like that happen, it’s just part of the deal," he remarked. "It’s one of the few times in my career that’s happened, and it was a tough time, but it is what it is."

Wall also elaborated on the challenges faced during the development of Mass Effect 2, particularly with the creation of the 'Suicide Mission' sequence. He described it as "the biggest mind-f***ing thing I’ve ever done in my entire life," emphasizing the lack of guidance and the intense pressure to deliver. Despite these hurdles, Wall's contribution resulted in what he considers "one of the best ending sequences to a game that I’ve ever played."

Following his departure from the Mass Effect series, Wall moved on to compose for the Call of Duty franchise, with his most recent work on Black Ops 6. Meanwhile, BioWare is currently developing the next installment in the Mass Effect series after the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The composer for the upcoming Mass Effect game has yet to be announced.