Halo music creator wins legal settlement for unpaid wages from Bungie’s Chief Executive

Marty O’Donnell, the well-known music composer for the sci-fi shooter series Halo, has settled a lawsuit against Bungie chief executive Harold Ryan.

King County Superior Court judge Jeffrey Ramsdell in Seattle has approved a deal in which Ryan will pay O’Donnell more than $95,000 to settle legal claims related to a lawsuit that O’Donnell filed in May. The lawsuit offered a rare glimpse on what was happening inside Bungie, the original Halo developers who is now at work on the big online shooter Destiny.

[XiSasukeUchiha]

That's good!

[TheRedButterfly]

For once, I wholeheartedly agree with you. :D

[DevilOgreFish]

"Halo music creator wins legal settlement for unpaid wages from Bungie’s Chief Executive."

wow Bungie, i'm shocked. that's bad for your rep. Marty O’Donnell help put the company on the map with his efforts, and this is how you treat him?

If i was looking for a job in gaming i don't think bungie would be my first choice, kicking a team player is just plain bad for business.

[theXtReMe1]

Good. I hope other employees they screwed get a settlement, also. Marty is a great guy and a hell of a composer. He will land on his feet and end up in a better situation, making more money, soon. Somewhere where he can actually be creative and not be pressured into recreating the original Halo soundtrack over and over again.

Game on, Marty.

[3-4-5]

Not Cool Bungie.

Does EVERY company have 4-5 people that just are their to screw people over or what?

Seems like even the good companies try some shady stuff.

Not cool. Can't wait for destiny though.

[VonSchtook]

I remember reading updates from Marty on the old Bungie weekly updates. I love Bungie, but I'm happy that one of their biggest stars isn't getting screwed over.

[OpieWinston]

I'm hoping he gets hired by 343...I know they've got a new Composer but Marty would be a great way to keep the Halo music alive.

Surprisingly Halo 4 had solid music even without him, just was missing something.

[spicelicka]

Agreed!

[cl1983]

I'm hoping for the same thing.

[CaptainKILL]

That's what I've been hoping with 343i, they need his iconic sound. But at the same time we only have one obscure side of the story, why was he fired after his work was finished with Destiny? Was this pressure from the publisher, or was this growing internally since Reach? Unfortunately with things like this we rarely hear what really happens and are left to speculation.

[SG1_dapunisherX]

great news..... marty deserve it. epic music

[HaveAll3]

I hope 343 hires him.

[Rhezin]

Well deserved. Hope one of Sony's studios snags him!

[Goku781]

That's the only thing I don't like about Destiny. Its missing that I'm a Soldier, and I'm about to do something legendary theme! As tired as I am of Halo, Halo's music get you hyped! I really hope he put tracks on the same level in there.

[Cryptcuzz]

This is well deserved for Marty, but to each their own when it comes to Destiny's music. I found the music in the beta so far pretty epic at times.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Good for Marty. On a side note as I read this news, the Halo original theme music was running in my head climaxing as I read the details.

[ArtificiallyYours]

Wish for the best, and I thank Marty for the masterpieces he's created. Some of the best music I've heard in my life.

[Pinkdolphinyfg]

Still wouldn't feel enough to me if i created a very central part of a game that is going to be the next billion dollar franchise. Hopefully 343 hires him he could be the lead composer for the Halo Tv show.

[Sp1tfireXM]

Thatta boy Marty! I'd love to see Marty work with Davidge on Halo 5. Rather than seeing 343 snag this guy up I'd prefer seeing him working independently to bring his scores to multiple games tho

[Reddzfoxx]

Sad Bungie would knowingly lie and keep wages owed to a employee that has been working for them for so long. Good for him but it should have never gone that far.

I wonder if this is a sign of how they will treat their customers.

[dcj0524]

One bad apple spoils the bunch? Wasn't all of bungie mind you.

[Demoa]

good for him he deserves it

[mhunterjr]

Why did they fire him in the first place?

The music he made was breath-taking... He sold a ton of Halo OST's, and I've heard his themes played by high school bands , professional orchestras, and everything in between...

Why let him go? And why create such a messy situation?