Halo theme composer Marty O’Donnell has claimed on Twitter that Bungie’s board of directors fired him “without cause” earlier this month.
Marty O’Donnell, the man responsible for Halo’s legendary theme, has been fired by Bungie studios. This was revealed by O’Donnell himself over on Twitter, where he also claims that the termination by the studio’s board of directors was “without cause.”
Here’s O’Donnell’s tweet in full:
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
Over on the studio’s official site, Bungie has issued a statement confirming the recent layoff, but has not given the reason for the termination, nor does it address O’Donnell’s claims.
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
O’Donnell joined Bungie in 1999, just ten days before the studio was acquired by Microsoft. While working with Bungie on the Halo franchise, O’Donnell composed the now-iconic theme for the shooter. Before his departure from the studio last week, O’Donnell was composing music for Bungie’s upcoming sci-fi shooter, Destiny.
We’ll update the story once more developments unfold.
Earlier this year, former Bungie creative director who worked on Halo, Joe Staten, returned to Microsoft, though it’s said he won’t be working on the next entry in the Halo franchise as some assumed. Could O’Donnell be going back to Microsoft as well?
What do you think Bungie’s cause is for firing O’Donnell? I assume the studio just didn’t push out one of its most veteran employees without any cause, but then again, stranger things have happened.
