What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Marty O’Donnell won an order restoring 192,188 vested Bungie shares and awarding him $142,500 as his first payment under the studio’s 2014 profit plan. But the September 2015 arbitration was not a complete victory: the arbitrator also found that O’Donnell infringed Bungie’s copyrights by distributing Music of the Spheres and restricted further use of the music.
What the arbitrator awarded O’Donnell
In a revised final award, arbitrator Sharon Armstrong found that Bungie breached its duty of good faith and fair dealing when it caused O’Donnell to forfeit his stock and denied him participation in the company’s profit plan. The award ordered Bungie to return 192,188 vested common shares and pay $142,500 for O’Donnell’s first profit-plan payment, covering 2014. These are the specific remedies in the award, not a general valuation of his stake or recurring annual payment. Read the revised final award.
Some contemporaneous coverage gave a slightly different share count: GameSpot reported 192,187.5, while GamesBeat later used 192,188. The final award’s ordered figure is 192,188. GameSpot’s report; GamesBeat’s report.
The $142,500 was distinct from a $95,000 award in an earlier wage action involving unpaid vacation, overtime and related amounts. That earlier award was not the 2014 profit-plan payment. Contemporaneous report on the wage action.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall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.
What O’Donnell did not win—and what Bungie won
The arbitration resolved multiple claims, so describing it as a total victory for either side leaves out important parts of the result.
| Issue | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Forfeited shares and profit-plan participation | The arbitrator found Bungie breached its duty of good faith and fair dealing; the award ordered 192,188 vested shares and a $142,500 first payment for 2014. Revised final award. |
| O’Donnell’s tortious-interference claim against Harold Ryan | The claim was rejected. Revised final award. |
| Post-termination distribution of Music of the Spheres | The arbitrator found copyright violations and issued an injunction. Bungie received no damages on this claim, given the registration and distribution history described in the award. Revised final award. |
| Bungie property and protected material | The award required the return of Bungie property and restricted specified uses of Music of the Spheres and Destiny material without permission or qualifying public availability. Revised final award. |
The injunction matters to the practical meaning of “won”: O’Donnell received the shares and profit-plan payment, but the award did not give him unrestricted rights to distribute or perform the music. Its restrictions covered uploading, copying and public performance of the identified material, subject to permission or the award’s qualifying-public-availability terms.
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.
Why Music of the Spheres and the E3 trailer entered the dispute
O’Donnell was Bungie’s audio director and composed music associated with Halo and Destiny. According to the award, Bungie’s COO had asked him in advance to compose for the Destiny franchise. O’Donnell then composed and recorded Music of the Spheres, an eight-movement symphonic and choral suite made with Paul McCartney. Revised final award.
The dispute’s public story also involved the 2013 E3 reveal trailer. The award recounts that Activision took over trailer work and supplied music instead of using segments of Music of the Spheres, and describes O’Donnell’s public reaction and management’s response. Contemporary accounts framed the episode as a conflict over creative control. That context helps explain the dispute, but the award does not establish that the trailer disagreement alone caused O’Donnell’s eventual termination. Contemporary coverage; Contemporary coverage.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- System requirement your device must meet all minimum requirements to open this product OS Xbox One architecture x64
The termination and the award’s limits
The award states that Bungie terminated O’Donnell without cause on April 11, 2014. It also recounts audio-team members’ and managers’ concerns about his contributions and workplace conduct. Those accounts are part of the context, not a substitute for the arbitrator’s specific finding: Bungie breached its duty of good faith and fair dealing in handling the share forfeiture and profit-plan participation. The ruling did not find that every criticism of O’Donnell was unfounded or resolve every element of the workplace dispute in his favor. Revised final award.
O’Donnell told GamesBeat after the result, “I”m happy this is over, and I’m ready to move on.” GamesBeat, September 5, 2015.
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!
This was not the later Microsoft royalty case
The Bungie arbitration was a 2015 dispute over employment-related claims, stock, profit-plan participation and the music’s use. It is separate from the later royalty lawsuit O’Donnell and composer Michael Salvatori brought against Microsoft, which was reported settled in 2022. The later case should not be treated as part of the Bungie award. Report on the Microsoft settlement.
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.
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.
