Halo theme composer and Maestro Chief Marty O’Donnell is no longer a Bungie employee, as the audio wizard has just been terminated by the company.
Here’s what O’Donnell had to say on Twitter about his termination:
I’m saddened to say that Bungie’s board of directors terminated me without cause on April 11, 2014.
— Marty O’Donnell (@MartyTheElder) April 16, 2014
One of the last remaining employees from the days before Bungie was absorbed into Microsoft, and sticking around when the studio became independent again, O’Donnell was responsible for creating the signature sound of the Halo franchise, from it’s heavy beats through to its iconic choruses.
Bungie issued the following statement (Via VG247), about the departure, utilising a WWE catchphrase to do so:
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.
Yep, O’Donnell just got future endeavoured. The composer had worked on Destiny prior to this, the next sort of RPG MMO shooter that Bungie has sunk plenty of effort into. At last year’s reveal, O’Donnell still spoke to us about the sound of the game, and the man was an encyclopedia of ideas and audio knowledge that could give Hollywood heavyweight maestro Hans Zimmer a run for his money.
Last Updated: April 16, 2014
Norm the Horrible
April 16, 2014 at 12:34
Sad news indeed.
Hammersteyn
April 16, 2014 at 12:42
“We wish him luck in all his future endeavors” a statement so meaningless they might as well use it on death row as well.
Admiral Chief in Space
April 16, 2014 at 12:43
You said it
MakeItLegal
April 16, 2014 at 13:06
might as well have sent him a birthday card ” your fired , and Good luck you are going to need it after today , cause everyone knows we just fired you for no reason”
Ps – we look like assholes
HvR
April 16, 2014 at 12:57
It doesn’t look like a mutual breakup; more like “Your clothes are on the sidewalk and I’m sleeping with your boss. But I still want to be friends”
Well Marty there is only one thing to do
FoxOneZA
April 16, 2014 at 13:02
His music is iconic and it made each and every Halo a memorable experience. The musical score was enough to make you feel just how epic the Halo universe.
In a way, it’s better that he goes where his music will span over a complete series of games or movies. Such talent can only enhance the directors vision.
MakeItLegal
April 16, 2014 at 13:02
“I’m saddened to say that Bungie’s board of directors terminated me without cause on April 11, 2014”
This my fellow gamers , is the dark side of the gaming corporate world…
with out cause ? oh my , i feel so sorry for this dude what a complete fuck up…
Geez , atleast be honest and say “this guy is too old , he doesn’t resonance with the younger demo graph so we decided to fire him so we can be more in tune with our younger crowd “….sounds to me like they dont want to give him profit share before destiny releases
Rince the Unhuggable
April 16, 2014 at 13:27
Ouch. Man that sucks.
oVg Errorist
April 16, 2014 at 14:04
Ryanza
April 17, 2014 at 05:49
The music in Halo is one of the reasons why I was such a big fan of the Halo series.