Martin-ODonnell
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Jukebox Heroes: Destiny's soundtrack
Is there any MMO soundtrack that arrived with such incredible expectations and baggage as Destiny? If so, I can't recall it. We have not only the legacy of Halo's scores (which are for some gamers the only soundtrack they know and revere) but also the saga of Composer Martin O'Donnell's firing and the boon of picking up (of all people) Paul McCartney -- because when you think "space epic video game," you of course think "former Beatles septuagenarian." However, here on Jukebox Heroes, we do not give preference to a soundtrack's pedigree, the game's popularity, or how many members of the Beatles it boasts. We listen to the music for what it is. And what Destiny's score is... is above-average. It's a good, but not great, orchestral album that's heavy on action and Star Wars influences. I was hoping for a little more when I listened to it, but upon a second evaluation, I found myself appreciating more what it does as a whole to construct a solar system under siege.
Halo composer sues Bungie CEO over unpaid benefits
Former Halo series and Destiny composer Martin O'Donnell is suing Bungie CEO Harold Ryan over allegedly unpaid benefits, according to a filing issued with the King County, Washington court. O'Donnell's filing reaffirms his claim that he was fired "without cause" from Bungie, and further alleges that Bungie has "a policy, pattern and practice of paying its employees accrued but unused vacation, paid time off, sabbatical time, and other benefits." The suit claims Ryan acknowledged and agreed to pay these benefits, yet to date has not done so. Because of this, O'Donnell is seeking twice the amount of the withheld wages, along with compensation to cover legal fees. O'Donnell's filing also lists "separate grievances" against Ryan and Bungie, but said grievances are not being pursued in court at this time. However, O'Donnell wishes to reserve the right to append his original complaint with these separate grievances if they are not subject to arbitration. [Image: Wikimedia Commons]
Halo, Destiny composer O'Donnell says he was fired 'without cause' [Update: Bungie COO Pete Parsons responds]
Halo series and Destiny composer Martin 'Marty' O'Donnell is no longer working for Bungie, and he claims the studio's directors fired him "without cause" last Friday, April 11. O'Donnell tweeted the news this morning, and shortly after Bungie responded on its blog. Community Manager David Dague said the studio and O'Donnell parted ways "as friends." "For more than a decade, Marty O'Donnell filled our worlds with unforgettable sounds and soundtracks, and left an indelible mark on our fans," wrote Dague. "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." We've reached out to Bungie for further details. O'Donnell's departure is certainly a surprise given his stock with Halo and Bungie fans, especially with Destiny rapidly approaching its release date of September 9. The veteran composer had collaborated with former Beatle Paul McCartney on a "musical prequel" to Destiny, titled Music of the Spheres. It has yet to be released. Update: Speaking to a group of journalists at a studio event (keep your eyes on Joystiq for Destiny preview coverage soon), Bungie COO Pete Parsons made the following statement. "I'm sure many of you have heard the news about Marty O'Donnell. At Bungie, we don't take that kind of thing lightly. We don't make decisions lightly. We're a team that's committed to making an amazing game, set in an amazing universe." He added, "At this time, we won't be commenting any further on it." [Image: @PaulMcCartney]
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary soundtrack getting full orchestral treatment
San Francisco-based Pyramind Studios is producing a re-orchestrated soundtrack for Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. 343 Industries, Microsoft, and Pyramind announced that the project is headed up by Microsoft Senior Audio Director Kristofor Mellroth, and Pyramind Studios COO/Audio Director Paul Lipson, and employs both the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra and San Francisco-based vocal group Chanticleer. Bryan Dale is handling the soundtrack's hot, hot licks. Marty O'Donnell loyalists take note: "We are striving to create the ultimate love letter to Halo fans, and celebrate Marty O'Donnell's and Michael Salvatori's original vision with grace and style," Mellroth points out. Like Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, the re-recorded soundtrack will drop on November 15.
New evidence supports Bungie's Destiny in MMOs
If you have been following Bungie, then you are well aware of the alleged MMO in development by the creators of the single-player first-person shooter series Halo. Most are also aware of the "World of Warcraft in space" quote from a supposed ex-Bungie employee in the geek blog Kotaku. In that same article, the source named Project Tiger by another name: Destiny. At the time, there was nothing to validate the claims of the article, until now. Now may be a good time to don your tinfoil hat. On the fan site Halo.Bungie.org, a blogger may have discovered an actual connection between the words of the ex-Bungie employee and the name Destiny. While tracing the activities of Bungie employees, this intrepid pursuer found Podophobia Entertainment a company formed by Harold Ryan and Martin O'Donnell of Bungie. One of the trademarks issued by this company was the name Destiny listed as "computer game software downloadable from a global computer network." Massively will let you draw your own conclusion for this, but pictured above is the trademarked logo for Podophobia's Destiny and next to that a Bungie employee wearing that same logo on a t-shirt. Tell us what you think in the comments.
