id Software Parting Ways With Composer for DOOM Eternal DLC

id Software has confirmed that they won't be working with composer Mick Gordon on DOOM Eternal's upcoming DLC following a brief controversy following the release of the game's OST.

Two weeks ago, a handful of comments from Gordon suggested he was unhappy with the quality of some of the mixes released in the soundtrack, and that he would be unlikely to work with Bethesda again. This prompted many fans of the game and the soundtrack to lash out at Bethesda and id Software, specifically Lead Audio Designer Chad Mossholder.

Now, DOOM Eternal Executive Producer Marty Stratton has responded to these issues in a lengthy and open reddit post, diving into many of the issues in great depth.

"Some have suggested that we’ve been careless with or disrespectful of the game music. Others have speculated that Mick wasn’t given the time or creative freedom to deliver something different or better. The fact is – none of that is true," explained Stratton.

Stratton praises Gordon's talents as a musician, but states that the two parties "struggled to connect on some of the more production-related realities of development" and that "communication around those issues have eroded trust", which created a "pattern of project uncertainty and risk" for id Software. More specifically, it appears that Gordon wasn't able to hit deadlines and was given multiple extensions, which isn't completely unusual for creatives. This was one of the reasons that the Collector's Edition OST wasn't shipped until April.

When it became likely that Mick still may not be able to deliver the soundtrack on time, Stratton asked Mossholder to begin working on their own mixes of the tracks as a backup plan. These versions were based on the pre-compressed and pre-mixed pieces of music meant for inclusion in the game, rather than Gordon's source material. Mick Gordon then suggested combining the work of both parties for the finished OST.

Stratton expressed disappointment that Gordon didn't do more to clarify the situation to fans, especially with the abuse that Chad Mossholder had been receiving, and that id Software won't be working with Mick Gordon on the planned DOOM Eternal DLC.

I highly recommend reading the entire original reddit post - it is a surprisingly open and honest response to fans from a developer, and not something we get all that often, especially so soon after the release of a game.

DOOM Eternal is available now for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.