Marty O’Donnell won a specific financial and stock dispute with Bungie: in a revised 2015 arbitration award, the arbitrator ordered the studio to restore 192,188 vested common shares and pay him $142,500 as his first 2014 profit-plan payment. It was not a complete victory. The award also found that O’Donnell infringed Bungie’s copyrights by distributing music from Destiny and imposed restrictions on future use.
What did Marty O’Donnell win from Bungie?
Arbitrator Sharon Armstrong found Bungie breached its duty of good faith and fair dealing when it caused O’Donnell’s shares to be forfeited and denied him participation in the company’s profit plan. The revised final award ordered 192,188 vested Bungie common shares and a $142,500 payment for the first profit-plan year, 2014. These were remedies in O’Donnell’s case, not general compensation figures or a recurring annual payment established by the award. Read the revised final award.
The award’s share figure is 192,188. Some contemporaneous news reports gave a slightly different number; the arbitrator’s final award is the controlling source for what was ordered.
What did the award not give him?
The decision did not make O’Donnell the winner on every issue. It rejected his tortious-interference claim against Bungie chairman Harold Ryan. It also found that O’Donnell’s post-termination distribution of Music of the Spheres infringed Bungie’s copyrights. Bungie received injunctive relief on that claim, but no statutory damages, in light of the registration and distribution history described in the award.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute#1 Best Overall
- A CLASSIC REIMAGINED — Experience the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign rebuilt with high‑definition visuals, updated cinematics, refined controls, and a brand‑new three‑mission adventure.
- ENHANCED AUDIO & VISUALS — Relive every mission with modernized animations, a remastered soundtrack, and fully rebuilt sound design for deeper immersion across the Halo universe.
- NEW STORY CONTENT — Play as the Master Chief alongside Sgt. Johnson in Operation: Meteorite, a standalone campaign featuring new environments, enemies, and gameplay challenges.
- ICONIC VEHICLES EVOLVED — Drive and hijack classic Halo vehicles with new gameplay possibilities, including piloting a fully controllable Wraith tank for the first time in Halo: CE.
- CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play solo, in 2‑player split‑screen co‑op (console only), or up to 4‑player online co‑op with full crossplay and cross‑progression support.
The injunction barred specified uploading, copying and public performance of Music of the Spheres and Destiny material without permission or qualifying public availability. The award also ordered O’Donnell to return Bungie property. Those limits matter: the result was a mixed award, not an unrestricted right to distribute the music or a simple victory for either side.
Why were Destiny’s music and an E3 trailer part of the dispute?
Bungie’s chief operating officer had asked O’Donnell to compose music for the Destiny franchise in advance. O’Donnell then composed and recorded Music of the Spheres, an eight-movement symphonic and choral suite made with Paul McCartney.
Rank #2
- PREMIUM EDITION CONTENT — Receive the Alpha Halo Armory Pack with 5 armor skins and 6 weapon skins, plus the Digital Artbook, Digital Short Story, and in‑game bonus content.
- A CLASSIC REIMAGINED — Experience the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign rebuilt with high‑definition visuals, updated cinematics, refined controls, and a brand‑new three‑mission adventure.
- ENHANCED AUDIO & VISUALS — Relive every mission with modernized animations, a remastered soundtrack, and fully rebuilt sound design for deeper immersion across the Halo universe.
- NEW STORY CONTENT — Play as the Master Chief alongside Sgt. Johnson in Operation: Meteorite, a standalone campaign featuring new environments, enemies, and gameplay challenges.
- CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play solo, in 2‑player split‑screen co‑op (console only), or up to 4‑player online co‑op with full crossplay and cross‑progression support.
For the game’s 2013 E3 reveal, Activision took over trailer production and supplied music instead of using segments of O’Donnell’s suite. O’Donnell objected publicly to Activision’s role. The episode became part of a broader disagreement over creative control, but the award’s account should not be reduced to a claim that the trailer alone caused his termination.
What does the award say about his termination?
The award says Bungie terminated O’Donnell without cause on April 11, 2014. It also recounts concerns raised by audio-team members and managers about his contribution and workplace conduct. Against that context, the arbitrator separately found that the Board’s handling of O’Donnell’s stock and profit-plan discretion breached the duty of good faith and fair dealing. The financial and stock ruling addresses those decisions; it does not establish that every aspect of the employment dispute was decided in O’Donnell’s favor.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- System requirement your device must meet all minimum requirements to open this product OS Xbox One architecture x64
How is this different from O’Donnell’s other legal disputes?
Before the final arbitration award, a separate wage action resulted in a $95,000 award for unpaid vacation, overtime and related amounts. That earlier award is distinct from the $142,500 2014 profit-plan payment ordered in the arbitration.
This 2015 Bungie case is also separate from a later royalty lawsuit involving O’Donnell and fellow composer Michael Salvatori against Microsoft. That separate case was reported settled in 2022; it is not part of the Bungie arbitration.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Save Humanity: Light up your next mission with this Halo Energy Sword replica. Inspired by the popular video game franchise, you can wipe out the competition with this collectible LED desk lamp.
- Authentic Design: Wield Master Chief's powerful Type-1 Energy Sword, a legendary melee weapon seen in Halo Infinite. This authentic replica features light-up action and serves as a standing desk lamp.
- Dimensions: This 1:3 scale Energy Sword mood light measures approximately 14 inches tall including the base. Although this double-bladed Sangheili weapon is not made of real plasma, it will illuminate your fortress.
- Powerful Display: At the flip of a switch, this Energy Sword LED mood light will cast a brilliant glow. Features a convenient in-line on/off switch to ensure easy access. Powered by USB cable (included).
- Makes A Great Gift: This officially licensed Energy Sword desk lamp will light up your Halo fandom. Perfect for intergalactic warriors who are looking to revamp their home decor with a geeky room essentials.
Rank #4
- Master Chief can now wield two weapons at once, board Covenant vehicles and steal Covenant weapons like the incredible double energy sword
- Lead an all-new unit of super-soldiers, the ODST -- tougher, badder and deadlier versions of your old comrades
- New enemies, allies and surprises around every corner - intense combat action with enhanced AI and real-time lighting
- Immense single-player action with maassive landscapes and huge cities to explore and defend - destructible and interactive environments
- Take the action online with your Xbox Live and switch sides, to become a Covenant Elite!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
