Bungie fires composer Martin O'Donnell

[Argent]

Marty, the grizzled ancient behind the music of Myth, Oni, Halo and the upcoming title Destiny, reported on his twitter account today: 

 

 

 

Bungie themselves have a short note on their homepage reading: 

 

For more than a decade, Marty O’Donnell filled our worlds with unforgettable sounds and soundtracks, and left an indelible mark on our fans. Today, as friends, we say goodbye. We know that wherever his journey takes him, he will always have a bright and hopeful future.  

 

We wish him luck in all his future endeavors.

 

 

I'm sure the Board wouldn't fire someone who is so loved by its community for no reason. With the lose of Joe Staten earlier this year I can't help but wonder what is going on with one of my old favorite studios. What are your guys thoughts on this subject?  What could have brought this about: money, breach of conduct, something more sinister?  Do you see Marty heading to Microsoft and 343 Industries to go back to work on Halo, move to a different developer or just work from his company Total Audio?  Post your thoughts below.

 

Destiny releases September 9th, 2014.

 

UPDATE: 

I should probably clarify that Marty was not technically fired, but rather laid off, that is what the "without cause" part of his statement means.  This means that there was an impasse of sorts and the two sides could not reach and agreement.  The current theory is that Marty wanted a raise and the Board did not agree; there was a comment on Reddit from someone claiming to be an employee that supported this, but the comment has since been deleted because the user failed to confirm their identity in private.  I wouldn't trust the poster, but there may be a grain of truth there.  Still, the effect is the same to most fans, and is massively disappointing.

 

It should also be noted that the majority of the music in Destiny is likely to have been completed by now.  Mike Salvatori and Paul McCartney were also working on the music with Marty, so anything that needs to be finished will be left to those two.

 

Sources: https://twitter.com/MartyTheElder/status/456303189998841856

http://www.bungie.net/7_There-are-those-who-said-this-day-would-never-come/en/News/News?aid=11484

http://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/235t01/marty_odonnell_fired_by_bungie/cgtrzem?context=3

[KieranThePCGuy]

Wow. GG Bungie. (Yes - This is sarcasm)

[Camul]

"We know that wherever his journey takes him, he will always have a bright and hopeful future." You tell yourselves that if it makes you feel better Bungie. Success in the past does not mean you'll be successful in the future. Led Zeppelin were the biggest band on the planet in the 70s, but I don't remember Jimmy Page or John Paul Jones really doing anything that noteworthy after Zeppelin.

[Bluejay0]

Bungie turned into a huge dick... I'm gonna miss the Halo 3 styled community they once were...

[Ertman]

Reason: Cut cost. Could also be related to current development and wanting to take music in a different direction.

Don't know if it is worthwhile.

[MzCatieB]

This means he's free for hiring... this could be good for my project..

 

I think Bungie just needed someone with a Fresh view on the music... Keeping with 1 person can become stale after a while

[NinjaStyle013]

what the fuck

 

cmon really

 

he made music that when i listen to brings back memories so good i nearly cry

[coreRoss]

Very bad news. I wish I knew the internal politics of the company as it is now, to know if this is as serious as I feel it is.

[AlexGoesHigh]

Holy balls! WTH where they thinking, this man is a legend in the industry, his music is just amazing, I haven't heard something as good outside of the halos bungies has made, never, to the point I wouldn't be surprised if his inbox is flooded by contracts from everyone by now, provably by next week, we should know where is going to work, or if he went indie

[LAwLz]

I wish him the best of luck. I wonder why he was fired. It doesn't really make any sense firing someone so liked and well known.

Now I'm gonna go listen to some awesome music.

 

[TopWargamer]

What...but...why...Marty's awesome...

[RainColt]

This song still gives me goosebumps @1:58 eargasm

[wng_kingsley7]

What....noooooo  how do I unlike this..

[kaylexmorgana]

Probably gonna hire some clown that just graduated for 10$ a hour

[carolkarine]

So today I learned that bungie has gone literally insane.

[techswede]

Meh.. I've moved on to liking 343 industries anyways

[totjup5]

Wow. Why?!?! The music has always been so amazing in bungie games!

[bob345]

Im, wondering if he will move to 343. It would make sense for him to go back to halo.

[Entropy]

Well, at least Halo 5/6 will have a good soundtrack...

[Whiskers]

It seems like an insane move. Especially if it's true that they did so 'without cause'.

The man is a huge part of the reason Bungie have become so successful. To simply dismiss him in this way seems very out of character for the company. I really want to know more about what has happened here.

[Victorious Secret]

Marty got into a disagreement with a board member over salary, board thought it was easier to contract cheaper talent than to retain Marty's skills. 

 

So yea, there you go. 

 

Bungie fucked it up. Marty can write his own goddamn contract, he's done so much for Bungie. 

 

He didn't just compose, he practically ran the entire sound department. Seems like a dodgy move over what actually happened. 

[brownninja97]

NOOO april 11th is my birthday

[Misanthrope]

Probably gonna hire some clown that just graduated for 10$ a hour

 

Hire someone? If only, they might just get some "freelancers" which is to say "We only want to purchase your rights to the content and don't give a fuck about your employment security"

[Steven9595]

They could of just told him after Destiny, he'd be let go, instead of cutting him out like an unwanted tick. They're stupid to let him go to be honest, he's one of the most respected composers when it comes to game soundtracks...ugh.

[Misanthrope]

They could of just told him after Destiny, he'd be let go, instead of cutting him out like an unwanted tick. They're stupid to let him go to be honest, he's one of the most respected composers when it comes to game soundtracks...ugh.

 

They probably did, I think you guys are forgetting that "without cause" is not the same as "without reason". I'm sure there's a reason, and I'm positive he was either told or knows that reason, however that's not the same as legal cause. So this tells me he's a smart man and might (rightfully) take their asses to court.