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Mass Effect Fallout: Why One Composer Left BioWare

Ever wonder why the iconic music of Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 took a different turn in Mass Effect 3? Composer Jack Wall, the musical mastermind behind the first two games, didn’t return for the third installment, and the reason might surprise you.

Creative Differences

In a recent interview, Wall revealed a strained relationship with Mass Effect director Casey Hudson. Wall mentioned that Hudson “was not particularly happy with me at the end.” While Wall expressed immense pride in his work on Mass Effect 2, even earning a BAFTA nomination, he acknowledged that the overall game “didn’t go as well as [Hudson] wanted.”

“Fallouts like that happen; it’s just part of the deal,” Wall admitted, though he emphasized that such experiences were rare in his career.

A Shift in Direction

Mass Effect 3’s music was ultimately composed by a team including Sascha Dikiciyan, Sam Hulick, Christopher Lennertz, Cris Velasco, and Clint Mansell.

After his departure, Hudson left BioWare after Anthem flopped. He then began a new studio. The studio was making a new IP before the game was canceled, followed by the studio shutting down.

The Suicide Mission and Beyond

• Wall also reflected on his experience crafting the music for Mass Effect 2’s legendary Suicide Mission.
• He called the process the “biggest mind-f**king thing” he ever done.
• Wall also lauded BioWare’s developers, for delivering a special ending in the gaming industry.

Following Mass Effect 2, Wall moved on to the Call of Duty franchise, lending his talents to multiple titles, including, Black Ops 3, Black Ops 4, Black Ops Cold War, Call of Duty: Vanguard, Modern Warfare 3 (2023), and most recently Black Ops 6.

The Future of Mass Effect

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