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 installments. Wall collaborated with BioWare to create the iconic 80s-inspired scores for Mass Effect (2007) and Mass Effect 2 (2010), the latter frequently lauded as one of the greatest RPGs ever, with Wall's soundtrack, including the memorable "Suicide Mission," a fan favorite.
His non-participation in Mass Effect 3 (2012) remains a topic of discussion. A recent interview with The Guardian revealed a professional disagreement with then-Mass Effect lead Casey Hudson. Wall stated, "Casey wasn't particularly happy with me at the end," adding that despite the tension, he's proud of the work, which earned a BAFTA nomination. While he alluded to "creative tension," Wall remained tight-lipped about the specifics, calling it a "tough time" but a common occurrence in the industry.
Wall offered more detail about the challenges of completing Mass Effect 2, particularly the "Suicide Mission" sequence, hinting at potential underlying issues in his relationship with Hudson. He described the process as "the biggest mind-f***ing thing I've ever done," emphasizing the pressure and lack of support due to BioWare's intense development schedule. Despite the difficulties, he considers the resulting sequence one of the best game endings ever created.
Following Mass Effect 2, Wall transitioned to composing for the Call of Duty franchise, most recently Black Ops 6. BioWare, currently developing the next Mass Effect game after Dragon Age: The Veilguard, hasn't yet announced its composer.
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