"A great score is not heard" - From Indiana Jones to Star Wars, musical legend Gordy Haab on becoming a caretaker of some of video games' most prolific franchises

May 17, 2026 - 20:55

American composer Gordy Haab has built a career on a simple but profound belief: "A great score is not heard." In a recent conversation, he reflected on his journey from working on "Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings" to becoming the go-to musical caretaker for some of the most beloved franchises in entertainment history.

Haab's path into video games started with that 2009 LucasArts title, but his career quickly escalated into the stratosphere. He has since been tasked with composing for the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" universes, as well as the "Halo" series. For Haab, the challenge is not just writing good music, but writing music that serves the player's experience without drawing attention to itself. He compares his role to that of a steward, protecting the emotional core of these iconic worlds.

He notes that the transition from film to games requires a different mindset. In a movie, the composer writes to a fixed image. In a game, the music must be modular and reactive, responding to the unpredictable actions of the player. This requires a deep understanding of the source material and a willingness to let the player's journey dictate the emotional flow. Haab's work on "Star Wars: Squadrons" and the recent "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" shows his ability to blend classic John Williams motifs with his own original voice, ensuring the legacy of these scores continues for a new generation of players.