Are you a fan of Halo or Xbox? Do you recognize one of the most iconic melodies in the world of video games? Today we are talking to the person behind this and many other works. The composer Martin (Marty) O’Donnell answers questions of all kinds. Learn about their plans for the future and some of the best-kept secrets in the Halo musical universe. We hope you enjoy this interview with Martin O’Donnell.
Pedro: Welcome Marty, it’s a pleasure to ask you these questions.
Tell us about your current job at Highwire Games. What is it like to work in this studio?
Highwire Games has around 30 employees, and we’re all working on a new game that will be announced soon. I like working in a small team, where everyone’s opinion and work has an impact on the final product. We launched Golem for PSVR a year ago, and hopefully it will be available on PC as well. he soundtrack The full version of Golem should be available online in the coming weeks.
Talking about the game: what are your plans for the future? In musical terms, what will come next Golem? What genres or styles would you like to explore?
We can’t wait to announce our next title. It will be quite different from Golem and it will be available on various platforms – not in virtual reality -. I like working on games with stories that convey strong emotions.
What about your YouTube channel? Can we enjoy more unreleased music from previous games?
I upload items to my channel as I find them or when I re-interest in something that I created in the past. I’m sure there will be more music ever released years ago that I will show when the time comes.
Interview with Martin O’Donnell: We Asked About Halo
1. At one point, we had to talk about Halo. Recently there has been a controversy on Twitter related to soundtrack of Halo: Infinite, and with some of the melodies, inspired by the earlier music of the days when Bungie worked on Halo. Would you like to add anything else to the debate? Why is it important to give credit to original composers when making adaptations or versions inspired by earlier works?
I didn’t think there was anything controversial about hoping to get credit for the music we’ve written and published in the past. This is how it works. This does not mean that we control or own the rights to the music, but all songwriters and publishers know that forever the original composer is mentioned and credited when creating a new arrangement of a work. In this case, I think it’s not the fault of the new composersbut a slip from the publisher, Microsoft.
2. It is possible to find the original version or the score of the main song of Halo: Evolved Combat? There are many adaptations on the internet, however, we would like to know if it is possible to have the most faithful to the original.
Yes, I have them here in my sheet music collection. I will publish them when Microsoft gives me permission.
3. Leaving that controversy behind, and looking at the Halo universe right now … Would you say you like the music we’ve seen in the trailers so far for Infinite halo?
Of course. The new guys are doing a good job.
4. Tell us about the Doric mode. What songs in your repertoire (Halo, Destiny, etc.) use it?
The Doric mode is simply a pattern or structure that is a little older than the simple major or minor mode music that is so common in tonal music today. It comes from the old ways that were used in churches in the Middle Ages, especially in the Gregorian chant. I knew it would help the main melody (which is also a song) and many other Halo melodies, giving them an “old” and mysterious feel when heard by a modern audience.
5. Are there any undiscovered Easter eggs (music related or not) in Bungie Halo games? If so, can you give us a hint?
I’m pretty sure everything Easter-egss musicals have been discovered.
6. Do you play video games?
Yes, I have all the consoles and I play a lot.
seven. Among all the music you have composed for Halo, is there a melody, song or sheet music that is special to you? Nail favorite?
The score that I will always carry in my heart is that of Halo original. We unveiled it to the world in July 1999 with Steve Jobs. It consisted of 3 minutes of music with images and samples of the game that no one had ever seen or heard before. From that moment everything started to evolve and grow at a good pace. Many later audio pieces are based on others we wrote at the time. And these same melodies are still used today in Infinite halo.
8. In previous collaborations with content creators, you mentioned that you’d like to get back to work composing music for the Halo franchise. Do you still hold this posture?
I try not to close the door to any opportunity.
9. What do you think of the integration Joe states a 343 Industries? Was there an attempt to communicate from the studio to you?
Joe and I are still friends and are in touch all the time. I’m really happy he’s working on something that I know he likes.
Marty O’Donnell
Composer / Audio Director
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