Calls For Action Against Id Software Peak After 'Doom' Music Composer Mick Gordon Details Alleged Six-Figure Hush Payment

Composer Mick Gordon, best known for his work as the creator of the soundtrack for Doom, escalated the ongoing soundtrack controversy that has been brewing for over two years with a recent blog post to Medium.

In the post, Gordon detailed instances he found online in which Id Software had purportedly lied to the public regarding the controversy and the soundtrack, and how he was allegedly offered a six-figure sum after the fact to stop talking about the incident, which he declined.

Insane. Mick Gordon, the composer of the insanely successful Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal games, has come forward talking about how Marty didn't pay him for the work used, had to deal with toxic conditions, calling Doom Eternal 'the worst project [he's] ever been involved with' https://t.co/Cy95ID2XVm pic.twitter.com/um7qocGGS7

— Laurcanthrope (@Laur_rants) November 9, 2022

Marty Stratton, idSoftware</a> Studio Director, lied about <a href="https://twitter.com/DOOM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">DOOM Eternal's OST events in a Reddit post that used disinformation to blame me entirely for its failure

Later, he offered me a six-figure sum to never speak about it

The truth is more important.https://t.co/zSNo2QG1mI

— Mick Gordon (@Mick_Gordon) November 9, 2022

I need to lie down that mick gordon post has made me light headed pic.twitter.com/H5qUPIZ9Kb

— Nasu (@RemoveMateria) November 9, 2022

holy shit. it took two years but mick gordon FINALLY came out about doom eternal's soundtrack problems

its a lengthy read.

— Um Jammer Heather (@DogLadyHeather) November 10, 2022

The initial public reaction after reading the now-viral post was one that numerous people were in agreeance on — immense displeasure with Id Software, especially potent anger towards Marty Stratton who's been pointed to as being largely responsible for the controversy in the first place.

This discontentment spread out from Id Software to Bethesda and Microsoft because they had their hands in the creation of Doom Eternal as well, though their role in perpetuating the alleged toxic culture and environment that led to the situation is still up for debate.

Having now finished Mick Gordon's post and had dinner to mull it over I have decided that if even half of it is true then I want Marty Stratton to lose his fucking job. If only every person like him in games could get such a public rinsing.

— Dan Pearce (@GameDesignDan) November 9, 2022

This Mick Gordon stuff is tragic, and it's also insane that everyone involved in leadership at Bethesda and Microsoft were so desperate to not pay a guy for their work and also not remove a post libelling him that they were willing to eat what's currently happening.

— Kris P. Bacon (@KrisWolfheart) November 9, 2022

mick gordon coming forward to shine light on all the abuse, crunch, and death threats he went through because of id softwares studio directors flat out lies is just.

fuck this industry. theres no surprise that its bleeding talent.

— 🪄💫 PSX Bunlith 🐰🏳️‍⚧️ BLM ACAB (@b0tster) November 9, 2022

I have so many feelings about that Mick Gordon post. I have been lucky with my projects but every composer has dealt with insane deadlines, all nighters, late pay, and poorly managed projects.

We’re fortunate that he spoke out, in literally the most organized presentation ever

— Danimal/Armcannon (@armcannon) November 9, 2022

Days later, seeing the profound reaction to his post, Gordon came back online to tell people to not be hateful towards the game, for there were still good people who did work on it that don't deserve the hate train, making even more people become friends of Gordon.

To those taking action against the game, please spare a thought for all the talented people who worked incredibly hard to make the game you enjoyed.

The team's work, which drew critical acclaim, deserves celebration, and their efforts should not be the target of a protest.

— Mick Gordon (@Mick_Gordon) November 10, 2022