Halo 4 composer "daunted" by O'Donnell's legacy

Massive Attack producer Neil Davidge is delighted but nervous to be composing Halo 4's soundtrack.

"I was so excited as a fan to get involved in the game, and also daunted as well," Davidge told Complex.

"Because I've obviously listened to Marty [O'Donnell]'s scores for many years. It was like wow, so how am I going to put my spin on this? He kind of hit the nail on the head many times, and kind of changed - well, paved the way, really - for serious film score ethics in game schools."

"There's a lot to live up to," he added. "And obviously there are a lot of Marty fans out there. So it is extremely daunting."

Davidge, himself a massive Halo fan, said he's quite nervous about fan reaction as the series moves on from Bungie, O'Donnell, and the original trilogy story.

"There's a big challenge there to try and come up with something as iconic as Marty's score, yet sort of put my own take on it as well and help evolve Halo into this new galaxy and to this new story arc," he said.

Davidge had no idea he was in the running to work on Halo 4's score until his management unknowingly handed him a dream come true.

"I only actually found out about the game I think it as a week before I was due to get on a flight to Seattle to meet everyone at 343. And my management didn't actually know I was a Halo fan," he said.

"And when they actually said 'Okay, it's happening, you're booked on a flight to go to Seattle, and the game is Halo,' I almost fell over."

Halo 4 is due exclusively on Xbox 360 by the end of the year.