PlayStation E3 Press Conference recap!

Sony’s E3 press conference is where dreams come true.  While watching this press conference a grown man wept at the announcements, and we all cheered with joy.  I apologize for not have much objectivity, but the excitement this created is unparalleled.  Sony opened with the long awaited Last Guardian.  Yes, The Last Guardian was shown for the first time in nearly a decade.  We got a six minute gameplay demo of the game, and it was revealed it will be launching on PS4 in 2016.

Next up, Guerrilla Games unveiled their newest IP called Horizon: Zero Dawn.  It is set post apocalypse, when humanity is rebuilding all while dealing with robotic animals that look like dinosaurs that roam the landscape.  No release date was announced, but we got a significantly long demo for the game, which culminated in our heroine fighting a mechanized T-Rex of sorts.

Square Enix showed a new trailer next for a new Hitman game with a CG trailer.  No release date or any real info was given, but Square does have their own press conference tomorrow, so expect info then.  Ubisoft followed them announcing exclusive content for the PS4 version of Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate would have exclusive content on PlayStation.  They also showed off a trailer for the game’s secondary lead, Evie Frye.

Capcom revealed two new characters for Street Fighter V: Birdie and the returning Cammy.  PS4 owners will also get an exclusive beta starting on July 23rd.  Expect SFV in early 2016.

Hello Games took the stage next and showed off an extended walkthrough of their upcoming sci-fi exploration game No Man’s Sky.  Sean Murray of Hello Games showed the massive scale of the universe, and let us see just what we’d do in the game.  We will be exploring new worlds, scouting new life, and battling the NPC forces that prevent you from doing this.  No release dates were announced.

Media Molecule returned to the PlayStation stage to demo their new game called Dreams.  The unique game will let players create their own dream worlds where anything is possible.  More of the game will be shown at Paris Games Week, but no release window was given again.  We also got a trailer for the upcoming indie title Firewatch, which again had no release window.

Adam Boyes took the stage next to announce the new Destiny Expansion: The Taken King.  It was exactly what was in the leaked document, and Boyes promised that the new expansion would give new supers, as well as PlayStation exclusive maps, strikes and gear.  It launches on September 15th.

Next up we had two Final Fantasy reveals.  One was obviously bigger than the other.  First was a reveal of a Chibi-style World of Final Fantasy. But never mind that, Sony and Square Enix announced a remake of Final Fantasy VII.  A full blown remake of the beloved PS One classic.  No release date was announced but honestly, don’t expect it anytime soon.

Dreams continued to be fulfilled with the announcement of a Kickstarter for Shenmue 3.  That’s right folks, the long awaited game will be made if fans fund the $2 million goal on Kickstarter.  You can fund it here.  It’s expected release window is late 2017, so it’ll be a while.

We also got new trailers for Batman: Arkham Knight which launches next Tuesday, and four new games from Devolver Digital.  Sony went on to talk about Project Morpheus and talked about a few titles that they are bringing to it.  From there, they announced their streaming tv service PlayStation Vue will have an ala carte style of channel purchasing.  So, if you don’t want HGTV, you don’t have to get it.

Sony’s Andrew House announced a new deal with Activision, revealing that all DLC for Black Ops III will be coming to PS4 a month early, a similar deal to Xbox’s in previous years.  We got a four player co-op campaign demo for Black Ops III as well as a multiplayer reveal trailer.  It looks like it takes a lot of ques from Titanfall as well.  Check them both out below.

Star Wars was next, with Sony announcing an exclusive limited edition of Disney Infinity 3.0 that will include the Rise against the Empire playset, and it will be the only place to get it for the first month.  This limited edition will also come with a Boba Fett figure, which will once again be exclusive for a month.  DICE took the stage next to show off their survival mode, which pits four players against 15 waves of co-op.  It all looks really good.  Look for Infinity in September, and then Battlefront on November 17th.

Finally, PlayStation closed with an all new demo for Uncharted 4: Thieves End.  This extended gameplay demo was a return to the swashbuckling style of previous games with Nate and Sully fighting through a bazaar and running away in a 4×4 from a massive APC.  They were chasing Nate’s brother, only for it to end with an awesome grappling hook moment.  Uncharted 4 launches sometime in 2016.

Holy cow.  PlayStation announced a ton of things that everyone has been waiting for, but no real massive titles exclusive for this year.   What was your favorite moment of the presser?  Let me know in the comments below and get hyped for even more E3 tomorrow with Nintendo and Square Enix!

by, Bobby Marquardt

Destiny’s new expansion “The Taken King” leaked to Kotaku. Out September 15th

According to leaked documents obtained by Kotaku, the next Destiny expansion will be titled The Taken King, and launch on September 15th.  The documents say the expansion will cost $39.99, double the cost of the titles two previous expansions, The Dark Below and The House of Wolves.  The Taken King will also feature new sub-classes to all three of Destiny’s three classes that give each class a new special ability as well.  Kotaku writes these abilities are “an electrical storm for Warlocks (arc); a gravity bow for Hunters (void); and a flaming hammer for Titans (solar). Hardcore Destiny players will notice that each of these abilities revolves around the element each respective class lacks today.”

This expansion will also include things seen in Dark Below and House of Wolves including new strikes, PvP maps, and weapons.  Taken King will also include a brand new raid which will pit players against Oryx, Croata’s older brother who Destiny fans will remember defeating in The Dark Below’s raid.  This expansion will also introduce The Taken, who are being lead by Oryx.  As to whether the Taken will simply be a re-purposed current race or a brand new one is yet to be determined.  This expansion could be the so-called “Comet” expansion that was outlined in court documents during the Activision vs West and Zampella trial, and I’m sure we will hear more about it at E3, likely during PlayStation’s E3 press event.  Bungie announced in their weekly update that they’re heading to E3, so a showing of the Taken King is all but confirmed.  We will keep you updated as soon as we learn more.

By, Bobby MArquardt

Destiny earns more then $500 million in it’s first 24 hours!

Destiny is officially a massive hit.  Activision announced today that Destiny made over $500 million in it’s first day of sales alone.  “Based on extraordinary audience demand, retail and first party orders worldwide have exceeded $500 million for Destiny,” said Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard in a company press release. “This industry milestone marks another blockbuster success for our company and demonstrates our unique ability to create some of the most successful entertainment franchises in the world. The success of Destiny, along with the recent introduction of Blizzard Entertainment’s Hearthstone, is further validation of our unique capabilities to create great entertainment franchises from the ground up.”  Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg revealed that Destiny is also the highest selling Digital launch in history.

These numbers surpass Bungie’s last game, Halo Reach, by nearly $300 million.  Destiny likely surpassed Watch Dogs as 2014’s current biggest launch, it’s not the biggest of all time though.  That title belongs to Grand Theft Auto V, and it’s $800 million in day one sales, as well as $1 billion in it’s first three days alone.  Will Destiny continue it’s momentum?  It’s showing no sign of slowing down, and if reviews that come later this week are generally positive, Destiny could rival Call of Duty in terms of importance for Activision.

by, Bobby Marquardt

source: Activision

PlayStation’s exclusive Destiny content detailed in new trailer

Earlier this year, Bungie revealed that PlayStation owners would recieve exclusive content for Destiny, including gear, weapons, and strike missions.  Today, PlayStation and Bungie have detailed the exclusives in the above trailer.  The first exclusive is the Dust Palace Strike mission.  The PlayStation Blog describes the strike as follows: “You’ll track a Cabal extraction team through the husks of an ancient human skyscraper, the Dust Palace, buried in the shifting dunes of Mars and face a new enemy, the Psion Flayers,” .

Next up is the Exodus Blue competitive multiplayer map.  The design looks directly ripped from the campaign’s Earth section, with Bungie describing it as a medium sized map, perfect for Skirmish and Control matches.  “The Exodus Blue, a long-dead vessel, once brought hope and humanity to worlds beyond Earth. Here, Guardians challenge one another, forging a new hope and future in the fires of the Crucible.”  PlayStation owners will also have access to exclusive weapons and armor sets for each class in the game, as well as three unique ships, “Aurora Wake”, “Crypt Hammer”, and “Outrageous Fortune”.

Look for Destiny on PS4, Xbox One, PS3, and Xbox 360 on September 9th.  I hope to have a review of it up by one week after launch.

by, Bobby Marquardt

Destiny’s latest two trailers take us to Venus and Mars

Bungie has released two all new trailers for Destiny showcasing two new planets, Mars and Venus.  In our first trailer, we take a trip to the red sands of Mars where we meet some new, massive enemies.  These creatures, called Cabal, have a similar fighting style to the Brutes in Halo 3, where they are mobile thanks to thruster packs, and their incredibly powerful weapons.  In the video’s description, Bungie describes what we know about Mars to possibly be a myth. “We built a massive metropolis in the red dust. No one knows what remains of our lost age, now buried beneath the dunes.”

In our second trailer, Bungie drops players into the now-jungilized world of Venus.  “Venus was once the site of a great discovery – a paradise.” Bungie writes, “Now, it is a monument to all that we have lost.”  On the lost paradise, we meet the Vex; a more robotic foe then we have yet seen in Destiny.  Look for the Vex, Cabal, and more enemies on all the planets of our solar system when Destiny launches on Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360 and PS3 on September 9th.

by, Bobby Marquardt

Destiny’s Endgame raids are for six players, features no matchmaking, & begins at level 20

Bungie has pulled back the curtain a little more on Destiny’s endgame, revealing that the raids at the end will be for six players.  That all seems great, but Destiny will require you to find five others to play with without the use of matchmaking.  In an interview with IGN, Bungie’s Luke Smith the raids open as soon as the game’s story ends at level 20, which is the game’s soft level cap.  “As soon as you see the way we wrap up the sort of first piece of the adventure that we’re going to tell because we want to set you back out into the world to keep going.” Smith tells IGN. “We want to try to align your motivations as the player with the motivations of the character who you’ve been pushing around this world. So for us I think a bunch of the endgame starts right at level 20.”

The 20-60 minutes strikes will be far different from the multi-hour raids, according to Bungie.

IGN went on to reveal that these raids will be more in line with MMO Raids, and not like the 20-60 minute strike missions.  These raids will be multi-hour affairs, and “demand of you things you’ve never even really been asked to do in a shooter before.”  IGN wrote that the raids will only be available to run with a lobby of invited players, with no matchmaking option available.  Nautrally, this has rubbed many fans of the game the wrong way.  Getting six friends online in this day and age can be hard for many.

Luke Smith went on to confront these complaints on Neogaf, writing “That barrier to entry – the requirement that you get a group of people together and venture into something that is going to challenge your ability to work together (first) and your thumbs (second) – is a barrier I was willing to erect to preserve the activity goals.”  He went on to say they expect many to complete the game in normal mode in the first week, but Hard will be where clans will thrive.  He predicts strategy videos from those who are able to complete it being incredibly popular on Youtube, and Twitch streams to be heavily viewed.  We’ll see if Bungie’s ideas are the right route when Destiny launches on September 9th.

This reporter’s opinion:  I can understand what Bungie is doing here.  They want the Raids to be only completed by those who are using a ton of in-depth teamwork and strategy that you can’t get from getting paired with five random other players.  Unfortunately, I don’t think this is the right route to take.  Many folks, myself included, find it incredibly hard to get three friends on for a match of Halo, let alone five on for set, multi-hour experiences.  Granted, maybe these raids aren’t meant for me, but I feel Bungie should allow matchmaking and let players find out just how much they need the strategy that having friends on requires to complete this dungeons by themselves.  Don’t force gamers out of something fun because they can’t get friends online.

by, Bobby Marquardt

Ten games that need to wow us at E3 2014

E3 2014 is almost upon, and that means in just a few short weeks we will be drowning in new game trailers, gameplay, developer interviews and so much more.  Developers always have something to prove at E3, but some have to impress more then others.  I decided to put together a list of ten games that need to wow audiences at E3 in order to get momentum back on their sides.  **Warning: I use the word show a lot.**

Assassin’s Creed Unity

Ubisoft has massive shoes to fill after the resounding success of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.  Instead of continuing in the very popular pirate setting, Ubisoft has decided to set the follow-up in 1790’s France, during the French Revolution.  Pirates are an easy setting to sell games in, as pirates are cool.  The French Revolution?  Not so much.  Ubisoft’s initial reveal of Assassin’s Creed Unity was honestly pretty boring.  It just showed our hero, Arnaud, walking around on rooftops during a major protest, not exactly as exciting as Black Flag’s reveal where you get introduced by freaking Blackbeard.

At E3, Ubisoft needs to show us all why this new setting is going to be just as fun and cool as Black Flag was.  Their needs to be new combat options, better storytelling, and some sort of X factor that gets the fan base excited.  Ubisoft is known for bringing the big guns to E3, so I fully expect both a live gameplay demo, and a gorgeous new CG trailer to wow us.  Will it be enough to make fans forget about Black Flag’s massive shadow?  That remains to be seen.

Batman Arkham Knight

I honestly surprised to put this one on the list, but unfortunately for Rocksteady Warner Brothers Montreal released a Batman game last year that in no way lived up to the series name.  Origin’s made me wonder just how much steam the Arkham franchise really has left.  On top of that, Arkham Knight’s reveal hasn’t exactly wowed us yet.  It’s just been more of Rocksteady’s Batman, which is certainly not a bad thing, but nothing seems very different. You could argue that the inclusion of the Batmobile is that new addition, but it has only felt like a gimmick thus far, instead of something integral to gameplay.

The Arkham series has never been a series to wow critics and fans alike at E3, and unfortunately I don’t think Rocksteady and WB think they have to do that this year.  To me, if Arkham Knight can show off a gameplay demo that showcases how the series has evolved into the next-generation of consoles, and that the Batmobile isn’t just some gimmick they added, Rocksteady will have me hyped for this game once again.  Unfrotunately, I don’t honestly expect them to do that.

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

This game looks like one of the most blatant cash-ins I have ever seen.  People say games like Batman: Arkham Origins, Gears of War Judgement, and God of War Ascension were cash-ins, but Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel seems to be in a league of it’s own.  I’m going to start with the title: Pre-sequel is an obvious way to poke fun at how most prequels don’t add much to the overall story or universe, but this just seems like they are admitting “Yea, we are just making a cash-in by reusing resources from the last two games.”  It’s release on the PS3, PC, and Xbox 360 only, just makes the game’s release feel lazy as well.

Can 2K Australia even change my opinion on this game just being a massive cash-in?  I honestly don’t know.  With this one not likely to appear at any press conference we probably will only see a gameplay demo through various gaming websites, which don’t really have the same impact a press conference reveal.  They could show off some big gameplay elements that change the game, or show how the game will impact the overall universe.  Will they do this?  I’m going to call it now and say no.  This game is just more Borderlands for die-hard fans, and I don’t think 2K Australia wants it any other way.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

For the first time in a long time, Call of Duty actually has positive momentum going for it on the internet.  The initial reveal trailer managed to get fans excited about Advanced Warfare because of two thing: Kevin Spacey and the fact that it feels new.  Advanced Warfare showed hover bikes, mech suits, and spider tanks, where Ghost’s reveal last year talked about next-gen fish AI and a dog.  This game feels new, and different from anything we’ve had in Call of Duty in the past.  The GameInformer preview even talked about how your exoskeleton will allow you to dash side to side and jump higher then ever before.

At E3, probably during Microsoft’s press conference, Sledgehammer needs to bring a great gameplay demo that shows off these awesome new features.  Do not show this game’s sniper mission that’s shown up in every game since COD 4.  Show us something exciting that could only happen in this future setting.  They could shock the world even further by showing off the game’s multiplayer in a live 12 player match.  Show the how the exoskeleton will change the multiplayer, or if we will see awesome new additions like the hover bikes or mechs in the competitive side.  Keep this hype train going Sledgehammer, and maybe bring along Kevin Spacey too.  You can never have too much Spacey.

Destiny

Ever since it’s reveal, Bungie has told us ad nauseam why we should be excited for Destiny.  The ex-Halo dev has even shown us brief glimpses of gameplay but none of them have lived up to Bungie’s own self-hype.  Does it look good enough that I’ll probably buy it?  Sure, but they have yet to show anything that proves Destiny is the gamechanger it touts itself as.  Right now, it just looks like a three player co-op Borderlands, with less humor and some MMO elements sprinkled in.

At E3, likely during Sony’s press conference, Bungie will have to get people excited for Destiny by showing off what hey have done so well for so long: multiplayer.  Showing off how good the game’s competitive multiplayer mode is could get the hype train completely back on the tracks.  If the right features are talked about, the E-sports community could quickly rally behind Destiny, giving it even more momentum going into it’s September release.  I think Destiny will be a good game, but everything Bungie has shown off thus far has just come off flaccid to me.  They need to demonstrate what Destiny really is, and why we should be as excited as they want us to be.

Fable Legends

Lionhead’s status as a premier game developer has certainly fallen off in the past generation.  While Fable 2 and 3 sold well, they suffered from the classic Peter Molyneux problem of over-promising at nearly every stage.  Since Molyneux’s departure, the game’s quality have gone down even further.  The releases of Fable Heroes and the Kinect controlled Fable: The Journey hurt the franchise and Lionhead name quite a bit, as they were just plain bad games.

With Fable Legends, it looks like we are getting a new direction for the franchise.  During it’s reveal last year at E3, it appears that Fable: Legends will be a four vs one game not unlike Evolve or Left 4 Dead.  The heroes will have to do their best to stop a puppet master-esc villain who throws everything he has at the heroes to kill them.  This would be a very concept, and hopefully Microsoft and Lionhead give a full gameplay demo during their press conference.  Show how this game will honor the legacy of the series, while creating one of the best exclusives for the Xbox One.

Final Fantasy XV

FFXV impressed the hell out of us at E3 2013, but we have seen literally nothing from the game since.  Even Kingdom Hearts 3 had a brief gameplay demo during Disney’s D23 expo, and Final Fantasy XV is assumed to release before Kingdom Hearts.  This game has been in development for nearly eight years, and you’d assume we are getting close to the game being finished, especially with the re-reveal last year at E3.

Square Enix can silence any doubter with two two things at this E3: a live gameplay demo and a release date.  The gameplay we saw at E3 was really impressive, so I’d love to see even more.  Show off the character’s relationships, the combat, and this crazy new battle system. Ending the demo with a release date would finally prove that this game’s development is nearing the finish line.  Fans have been waiting for this one for too long Square, reward their faith at E3 2014.

The Division

The Division looked absolutely phenomenal from the gameplay demo we saw at E3 2013, but we haven’t seen any gameplay for it since.  The delay to 2015 is the right move, but that means Ubisoft is going to have to find a way to keep gamers excited for these next two E3s.  This will be a challenge for Ubisoft, as the hype for another delayed title, Watch Dogs, has certainly dropped off quite a bit.  The combination of delay, and over-promising at previous E3 presentations have made many cynical against Ubisoft.

Massive will likely show off another gameplay demo during Ubisoft’s E3 press conference, where they will have to show enough to keep gamers excited but not show too much.  They have a lot more development to go, so don’t over promise what is coming in The Division.  Show off more of the game’s player vs environment mission, competitive moments against other clans, and maybe more ways that a tablet player can help their friends.  Most importantly, do not over-promise.  If the graphics or gameplay that you show in your demo don’t end up in the game, you will have many angry fans.

The Order 1886

Ready at Dawn’s first foreray into triple A gaming was one of the highlights of Sony’s E3 press conference.  It looks fresh, with a setting not often explored in gaming, and a lore that has the mystery element that makes players want to know more.  What has players less excited is the game’s short gameplay videos.  While they look beautiful, the gameplay isn’t nearly as fresh and new as the setting.  This game is shaping up to be one of the few PS4 exclusives coming this year, so it needs to keep fans excited.

During Son’y press conference, Ready at Dawn needs to show just how fresh The Order is.  The unique locations, crazy enemies, and interesting weapons all have to be on display.  The demo should keep some of that mystery that’s kept players excited, but reveal enough that we know what we are really getting into.  The PS4’s Fall exclusive’s are looking light, so The Order has to impress to lighten the fact that we may be only be getting it and DriveClub this year.

Uncharted PS4

An Uncharted game being developed by Naughty Dog should be enough to get folks excited, but Naughty Dog may not be the company it use to be.  Uncharted’s creative director Amy Hennig left the studio in March (she was rumored to be forced out by Naughty Dog directors Neil Druckman and Bruce Straley), Uncharted 4’s game director Justin Richmond left to work at Riot Games, and actor Todd Stashwick, the voice in Uncharted PS4’s reveal trailer, is no longer working on the game.  Hennig’s departure alone would be enough to cause worry for Uncharted, but this string of departures has me fearful for the studio’s future.

At E3, Naughty Dog and Sony can silence all critics by showing players what Uncharted PS4 now is.   Sony has a lot riding on Uncharted PS4, so they will almost certainly have this game front and center showing off just how good it can be.  Uncharted has always impressed at E3, and I honestly expect this year to be no different.  They have to  show off that Naughty Dog is still Naughty Dog, evenafter all of these departures.  Show us that Naughty Dog is still the place that produces consistently amazing games.

What games do you think need to bring their A game to E3?  Let me know in the comments below and thanks for reading!

by, Bobby Marquardt

 

Activision sees strong Q1 2014, raises 2014 outlook, and announced Destiny beta release window

Activision-Blizzard released it’s Q1 2014 earnings today, and it was quite a strong for publishing giant.  Quarter 1 revenue for Activision saw $1.11 billion in revenue, over $300 million more then the originally projected $885 million.  This revenue is down from Q1 2013, which saw $1.32 billion in revenue, but they kept the same earning per share of .40.

Because of this news, Activision is raising it’s outlook for the fiscal year 2014.  Activision-Blizzard previously expected $4 billion in net revenues for the year, but has upped the amount to $4.22 billion.   “The increase in Activision Blizzard’s GAAP outlook for 2014 is a result of the company’s actual Q1 GAAP performance (which was higher than its prior Q1 GAAP outlook for the reasons cited on the first page of this press release), as well as the company’s current expectations for the remainder of the year.”

The rise in revenue has been attributed to better then expected results from Brlizzard franchises like World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Hearthstone, as well as Activision’s two juggernaut franchises Call of Duty and Skylanders.  This strong performance is expected to continue as the year goes on, especially in September with the launch of Destiny, which allegedly costs $500 million dollars.

“We have a strong product pipeline for the balance of the year, beginning with the September 9th
planned launch of Destiny, which we believe could become our next billion
dollar franchise and the largest new videogame IP launch in history. Activision Publishing also recently announced that Skylanders: Trap Team and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare are expected to be released on October 5 and November 4, respectively. In addition to plans for new content for Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft and the release of Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition™ on console later this year, Blizzard Entertainment expects to launch World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor™, which is already one of the fastest selling expansions in the franchise’s history based on pre-sales, in the second half of 2014.”

Destiny’s beta was revealed to be launching this June as well, and will be coming to the PS4 and PS3 first.

by, Bobby Marquardt

New Destiny gameplay trailer showcases seven minutes of strike gameplay

Bungie has released a seven minute gameplay trailer for Destiny today showing off one of the game’s Strike missions.  These seem to work like a smaller raid in an MMO, where players have to fight through an area and fight a mega boss.  In our new trailer, the Guardians must travel to Old Russia to destroy the Devil’s leader.  This mission will be playable at E3 2014, so if you are going be sure to give it a shot.

Seemingly running on a PS4, the trailer showcases many facets of Destiny’s gameplay.  Seeing it all in action really gives the feel that Destiny will be the best parts of Halo, Call of Duty, and Borderlands all rolled into one.  Oh, and we get more voice acting from the great Peter Dinklage so that’s always awesome.  Look for Destiny on September 9th on PS4, PS3, Xbox One and Xbox 360.

by, Bobby Marquardt

Composer Marty O’Donnell says he was fired from Bungie “without cause”

Game composer Marty O’Donnell has been fired from Bungie, where he has worked on the Halo series and was currently working on Bungie’s upcoming new IP: Destiny.  Revealing the news in a tweet, O’Donnell wrote “I’m saddened to say that Bungie’s board of directors terminated me without cause on April 11, 2014.”  No other details were given by O’Donnell at this time, but I assume more news will arrive in the coming days.

Bungie responded to the news on it’s website, writing “For more than a decade, Marty O’Donnell filled our worlds with unforgettable sounds and soundtracks, and left an indelible mark on our fans. Today, as friends, we say goodbye. We know that wherever his journey takes him, he will always have a bright and hopeful future.  We wish him luck in all his future endeavors.”

Bungie COO Pete Parsons gave the following statement to journalists who were attending a press event at Bungie’s studios today for Destiny. “I’m sure many of you have heard the news about Marty O’Donnell. At Bungie, we don’t take that kind of thing lightly. We don’t make decisions lightly. We’re a team that’s committed to making an amazing game, set in an amazing universe.  At this time, we won’t be commenting any further on it.” -Source: Joystiq

This is certainly a shocking move; O’Donnell was one of the main hold-overs from the studio’s time working on the Halo franchise, and has even worked with legendary musician Paul McCartney on Destiny’s score.  For those who don’t know, O’Donnell has been Bungie’s in-house composer and sound designer for nearly every Bungie game.  His score will almost certainly still be heard in Destiny when it releases this September.  We will update you as soon as we learn more.

This reporter’s opinion:  This has to be one of the most shocking bits of news I’ve read in a while.  Seeing O’Donnell being fired from Bungie is like seeing George Lucas fire John Williams from a Star Wars movie.  It’s insanity that I didn’t think was possible.  This move must have come down to either O’Donnell wanting far too much money,  massive creative differences, or Bungie wanting to cut cost on Destiny tremendously.

Whichever way it all happened, O’Donnell is now a free agent.  If Microsoft has not already contacted him about working on Halo once again I would be amazed at their stupidity.  Any studio he goes to would get a massive boost.  I hope all the best for Marty, as he and Nobuo Uematsu are likely the closest things to legends we have for composers.

by, Bobby Marquardt