The original Halo music composers are suing Microsoft over unpaid royalties, Eurogamer can reveal.
Marty O’Donnell and Mike Salvatori, who created the iconic Halo music used in the Bungie-developed Halo games and more Halo products, claim Microsoft still owes them money relating to royalties dating back 20 years.
Lawyers representing the pair filed the lawsuit to a Washington state court in June 2020, and it has rumbled on ever since, with depositions and discovery undertaken. A date for mediation is set for next week, but if no agreement is reached, the dispute may go to court.
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And in a recent development, O’Donnell and Salvatori have instructed their lawyers to explore the possibility of blocking the release of the upcoming TV show with a preliminary injunction.
O’Donnell and Salvatori are behind the creation of Halo’s iconic soundtrack used on a raft of Halo games and products. This includes the famous Halo “monk” chant, as well as the rousing “der der der der” refrain Halo players know well.