The composer of Destiny and Halo Marty O’Donnell spoke in an interview about the separation from Bungie, the time that followed, and a conversation with Paul McCartney about what it’s like to lose your band.
Marty O’Donnell was actually inseparably linked to Bungie, responsible for the music of the games. Then he left Bungie in a publicized dispute, he was fired, there was a lawsuit, all quite unusual for a business where separations are almost always amicable.
We will get back to you
In the interview with IGN, O’Donnell now spoke about the details. The separation had been looming but was still a surprise to him. He was led out of the building at that time, handed over his badge, and was told: We’ll get back to you over the weekend. O’Donnell thought at that time they would go through this, finding a narrative like: “We regret to announce that he is leaving. He wants to focus more on his family.” That’s what one usually writes in such cases.
However, the call did not come, and after 5 days, his own lawyers contacted him: “You are still listed as an employee of Bungie on Facebook and everywhere. This could be legally problematic.”
The tweet, in which O’Donnell announced his departure in dispute, was sent by his wife.
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
His contract was terminated without stating reasons. After that, it was clear that there would be conflicts. O’Donnell then talks about a time with lawyers, more lawyers, even more lawyers, dealing with contracts and rights. Overall, a tough phase for him. Why it all had to unfold like this, why Activision and Bungie decided to handle the matter this way, O’Donnell still does not quite understand.
It’s like a band breaking up
For O’Donnell, it was also hard because he felt so connected to the studio, had so many friends there. Later, during a car ride, Paul McCartney, with whom he worked on the Destiny soundtrack, called him, and they exchanged thoughts. McCartney said in a light tone: “That must be tough for you, those are your friends.” O’Donnell replied: “Yes, it’s like the band is breaking up.”
Before he realized that he was speaking with a member of possibly the most famous band of all time, one of the Beatles.
Meanwhile, O’Donnell seems to have left it all behind, working in a small studio on new titles and is critical of the development in the gaming industry towards large companies and anonymous teams:
