Aussie composer donates fee for big game

An Australian composer best known for his work on the Doom series has said he’ll be donating money earned for working on a Russian game to Ukrainian charities.

Australian video game music composer Mick Gordon has said that he’ll be donating the money earned from working on a Russian-made game to a Ukraine charity.

Gordon, who is best known for his work on the popular Doom series, has composed the soundtrack for the upcoming Atomic Heart. The game was developed by Russian studio Mundfish, which has come under fire for some of the game’s allegedly pro-Russia themes.

The composer took to Twitter to announce the contribution, saying that he wanted to use his work “as a means to help those affected by the conflict”, referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Gordon said he would be donating the money paid for the music to the Australian Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.

“I’m proud to donate my fee from the game to the Australian Red Cross’ Ukraine Crisis Appeal in support of the people of Ukraine who are heroically defending their country against aggression,” Gordon said in a statement on Twitter, “This donation is a way for me to provide practical support to those whose lives have been impacted by the war”.

My musical contribution to #AtomicHeart will also support a greater cause. I've donated my fee to @RedCrossAU’s Ukraine Crisis Appeal to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
If you're able to, please consider donating.
Together we can make a difference. #SupportUkrainepic.twitter.com/ADVZiWafw8

— Mick Gordon (@Mick_Gordon) February 14, 2023

Gordon says that Mundfish has been “an absolute delight” to work with, and that he doesn’t have anything against the studio’s Russian roots. Instead, the donation was made to oppose the “authoritarian regime”, in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“This invasion was not a decision of the Russian people but rather an authoritarian regime that disregards human rights and dignity,” Gordon continued, “The world must continue to demand an end to this aggression and stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people”.

Atomic Heart is a first person shooter game set in an alternate universe version of the 1950s Soviet Union, where Soviet scientists created futuristic AI and technology. The game’s developer Mundfish came under fire after it refused to comment on whether Russia had direct involvement with the game.

Atomic Heart is due to release later this month. Picture: Mundfish

Gordon previously accused Doom developer id Software of theft, saying that the studio refused to pay him for his work. The composer made a lengthy post on his blog, saying that id Software staff “lied about the circumstances” of the Doom Eternal soundtrack, and used “disinformation and innuendo” in a post on the game’s subreddit to blame Gordon for issues with the soundtrack.

Written by Oliver Brandt on behalf of GLHF.