Sarah Schachnerone of the most prolific and well-known composers in the field of video games, today issued a statement that she will no longer write music for Modern Warfare II or war zone.
Schachner, on whose merits as a composer and musician the Assassin’s Creed Series (Unit, Black flag, origins & Valhalla), Distant scream, Need speedBiowares anthem and call of Duty games (Infinite Warfare, modern warfare & Modern Warfare II), posted the statement on Twitterwho said she “can’t keep composing music” for Activision’s latest shooter.
“Over the last few months the working dynamic with the audio director has become increasingly challenging and I see no way forward,” the statement said. “Right now I am unsure of the status and release schedule for the soundtrack as it has been taken out of my hands.”
These soundtrack plans have been the subject of fan curiosity since the game’s release, as it’s rare that a major blockbuster like this comes out without its official album. Schachner’s statement suggests that their “challenging” dynamics are related to the audio director (the diversity reports is Stephen Miller) is at least partially due to this soundtrack release as she adds: “What is released on the soundtrack is not my artistic intent as to mixing and mastering”.
You can read the full statement below:
I regret to announce that I can no longer compose music for MWII / Warzone. Over the past few months the working dynamic with the Audio Director has become increasingly challenging and I see no way forward. Until now I’m not sure about the status and release schedule for the soundtrack as it has been taken out of my hands.
While I have no control over how the music is presented in-game, what is released on the soundtrack is not my artistic intent in terms of mixing and mastering. Mike Dean was also part of the creative vision for the album, as was mixer Frank Wolf. We’ve got our hands on soundtrack masters from Mike, which sadly you’ll never get to hear.
I want to acknowledge the incredibly hard work of the audio team as a whole and hope you’re still enjoying it because I put so much work and effort into it. The score includes some wonderful performances from musicians Baseck, Brain Mantia and MB Gordy. I’m really grateful for the reach so far, and I feel an obligation to the fans to remain authentic in my approach to the game and its sound, which I’ve helped create for many years.
Thank you Sara
