150°

Halo Composer: Walking Away from Master Chief Is a 'Relief'

Halo is now in the new phase of its life with 343 at Microsoft; Bungie has moved on to whatever its new IP is for Activision. One of the most unique things about Halo when it was first unveiled was the music - the monks chanting just instantly grabbed you and gave the game an epic feel. IndustryGamers spoke with Bungie composer Marty O'Donnell about crafting the music for all things Halo and how he's relieved to be moving on now.

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industrygamers.com
donniebaseball4761d ago

Very interesting comments. Can't wait to see/hear what Bungie comes up with next!

taylork374761d ago

The title quote is kinda taken out of context.

He's relieved because he now can start new on something different. The title makes it sound like he is glad that he doesn't have to make any more Halo games.

donniebaseball4761d ago

Umm, actually he is glad he doesn't have to work on anymore Halo. All of Bungie is. That's why they took back their independence from MS. They didn't want to be stuck on doing Halo constantly.

taylork374761d ago

Yea, they are absolutely relieved they don't have to work on one of the most popular games ever anymore. The same game that made them millions while giving meaning to the word Bungie.

Sometimes its just time to move on, that doesn't mean they resent the thing they are moving on from.

Troll harder.

SixZeroFour4761d ago

wasnt there an article that marty o'donnell was interested in doing the music for a halo movie?

http://www.industrygamers.c...

so clearly he still loves the halo franchise, this title however makes you assume otherwise

Convas4761d ago

I can feel what he's saying. After a while, you need to move on to greener pastures and try something new! That being said, Halo wouldn't be half of what is it today without this man, Marty O'Donnell.

That being said, I can't wait to see who steps up to the plate for the new Halo music. They've already made some incredible music for Halo: Legends.

FailOverHero4761d ago

"It's kind of a relief because from a creative standpoint it's great to just have an absolutely blank sheet of paper, but then on the other hand blank sheets of paper are scary to creative people. I'm not saying I have writer's block, but we'll see..."
Does not sound like greener pastures talk to me, more like having a blank canvas to start afresh on, less pressure to be honest.
That being said, Marty's contribution to Halo is without doubt unforgettable but to say Halo wouldn't be HALF what it is without it is both an exaggeration and an insult to the many many other people at bungie who played important roles and who collectively made Halo what it is.
Remember, gameplay 1st, sound, graphics, story and whatever else come next.

Downtown boogey4761d ago (Edited 4761d ago )

You're right(though maybe exaggerating a bit): I think the music in Halo 1-3 was phenomenal and a really integral part of the experience, especially in the Warthog sequences at the end of 1 and 3.
That said, I don't think he'll be able to match the main theme maybe like ever. It's better than almost any other melody on film, even, and I believe it'll remain as his masterpiece.
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

dgonza404761d ago (Edited 4761d ago )

You used "that being said" twice, it threw me off lol

On Topic: i agree, a lot of the music i hear from Halo sounds great.

NoobJobz4761d ago (Edited 4761d ago )

The opening music for Halo CE is probably the best music in a game I have ever heard. Actually the whole game. The music is all great. The other Halo games were alright but Halo CE knocked it out of the park, music wise.

Blaze9294761d ago

Halo 3's score was great! One of if not the best out of them all.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

NoobJobz4761d ago

You're right. They are good. I still think Halo CE was better but there is no denying that the others have had their share of good music as well. That is one thing the Halo series has. Great music. Im not a huge Halo fan and I dont really care for the gameplay but the music is so awesome.

candystop4761d ago

Yeah that's what kind of ticked me off with Reach. It was missing that Signature Halo music that brought CE to life.

Downtown boogey4761d ago

In a way, it was appropriate, though:
The game as a whole didn't feel like Halo anyway.
And both of those things were negative factors for me, unfortunately :/

_Empath_4761d ago

Halo Composer: I'M FINALLY FREE (Kisses the ground outside Microsoft headquarters)

Paradicia4761d ago

Halo and Microsoft made Bungie what they are now. Marty knows how important his involvement in the series has impacted on his career. Nothing can change that. MS and Bungie even with the split, they are an still will be great partners.

Xander7564761d ago

I've never been a fan of the Halo games, but the music was always good. Marty is very skilled at what he does.

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90°

Destiny 2: The Final Shape Developer Gameplay Preview

Bungie - "Join our development team to see the new updates arriving with Destiny 2: The Final Shape. Releasing on June 4, 2024."

InUrFoxHole14d ago

What is this she/her, he/him bs?

60°

The importance of audio: How music makes games better

How do composers make the iconic music tracks from games that we love? And just what makes them so memorable?

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gamespew.com
140°

Bungie Replaces Marathon Director Amid Leadership Shakeup, Fears of Layoffs

Amid ongoing anxiety within Bungie following layoffs last year, the studio is now preparing for another shakeup, this time on Marathon.

Kaii35d ago

Layoffs should be hitting the incompetent management at this point.

Profchaos35d ago

Talk about mismanaged Bungie is a studio of tremendous potential and have made some of the greatest shooters to date. Sony pushed them to just make another Destiny style game and consult on other studios live service games and are now getting thrown under a bus as the pivot away from predominantly gaas games is unfolding.

I'd love to see a world where Bungie can focus on telling great sci fi stories again away from a live service dungeon but we all know that's a pipe dream

Rynxie35d ago (Edited 35d ago )

Are you serious? Do you just talk out of your arse naturally, or did it take years of being a POS?

Profchaos35d ago

You normally get so offended by internet comments or did it take years of being soft

purple10135d ago (Edited 35d ago )

Yes I see your point mate, someone clearly didn’t read the article.

Specifically the bit:

“Notably, multiple sources at the time and since have shared that Sony has largely left the studio to sort out its own troubles and was not responsible for the layoffs, with CEO Pete Parsons taking responsibility.“

He’s just spouting nonsense

Huey_My_D_Long35d ago

lol what so fucking hilarious is that you called him out so bad he projected him being offended onto you.

Its been well documented that Bungie's management has been more responsible for their shortfalls, even mentioned in said article that we are commenting on.

Its ok, just admit you didn't read the article.

MIDGETonSTILTS1735d ago

Arrowhead Studios will be Sony’s GaaS consult now.

Gameseeker_Frampt35d ago

I like how for some, it is never Bungie's fault. Microsoft, Activision, and now Sony - it is everyone else who is pushing Bungie to make all these bad decisions.

-Foxtrot35d ago

Thrown under the bus?

Are you joking? This is all Bungie, we all thought it was 100% Activision but it's clear the higher ups at Bungie don't have a clue how to run the studio and are more bothered about saving their own skin and the money that they rake in.

Sony gave them an extra $1.2 Billion to make sure that employees didn't leave and they didn't have to cut anyones jobs. Where did that money go because Bungie still cut peoples jobs and I bet you the higher management still kept a hold of their big fact paychecks and bonuses.

Sony invested poorly in this and the best thing they can do now is throw the old Bungie management out and take hold of the studio fully.

MIDGETonSTILTS1735d ago

Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. Somebody at Bungie is the golden goose making great shooting mechanics, and the rest need to justify their paychecks.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 35d ago
Fearmonkey35d ago

This studio has had three owners and its never worked well with any of them....Management has issues

ChasterMies35d ago (Edited 35d ago )

Worked very well for Microsoft. Microsoft’s mistake was letting Bungie go.

Fearmonkey34d ago

it worked so well with MS that they so wanted to be away from them they bought the company back. Only to do it again with activision-blizzard, and then sold to Sony...Sony shouldn't have bought them...Bungie hasnt been the same for a long time..