The legitamacy of video game music

[Big Stupid]

It happened thirty three years ago. Star Wars was released on the big screen. The film garnered critical acclaim, not for it's story, but for it's special effects, ambient scenery and larger then life soundtrack. For the first time the classical music community began to lend legitimacy to film scores as actual sources of decent music. Preceding Lucas' epic were other breathtaking scores in masterpiece films such as "Gone with the Wind", "High Noon" and "Lawrence of Arabia". Following Star War's success came other films with grand scores of their own such as "Lord of the Rings" and "The Last of the Mahicans" but none could capture my imagination as much as John Williams did when he sent me into space with his larger then life sound track.

But what about video games? Since their inception I've always been impressed with what composers can come up with when limited by the sound chip of the NES. Now it's 2010 and the sound card is no longer a problem. Composers can make high quality recordings. However, I have yet to hear a sound track that has completely swept me off my feet like Star Wars did. Video games have experienced every sound track from rock and roll to electronic to jazz to country to classical and some even did metal (ugh) and rap (bleh) but for some reason they don't do it for me the way the epic scores on the big screen did. (I have yet to see a polka sound track, how disappointing)

I feel that modern sound tracks just don't set immerse you the way Maurice Jarre did in Lawrence of Arabia. When I watch that film I really feel like I'm in the middle of a vast desert. When I play a game I don't feel like I'm in the world, particularly modern games. The only games that have really immersed me in the game was the Duck Tales soundtrack and the Katarmi Damacy soundtrack which took me right into whatever acid trip wonderland that game takes place in. Oh yeah, and I also enjoyed the Lemming's 16 bit public domain soundtrack. "She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes" has never sounded better.

Video games have yet to gain the recognition as a legitimate form of music from classical music communities the way film scores have. Perhaps I'm being myopic, I don't think that video games will ever be able to capture my imagination they the big screen did.

While the majority of games I've played don't do it for me the way films do, I realize I haven't played the majority of games. Do you feel that there are stellar sound tracks out there that deserve recognition outside the video game community? Are there any soundtracks you feel that a classical composer would have to appreciate? Has there ever been a game with an all polka sound track?

[MrPopo]

Personally, I think the Final Fantasy VI sound track is amazing, and so is the Chrono Trigger soundtrack. The interesting thing about video game soundtracks is that initially the people who created the music weren't formally trained musicians. Many had experience playing, but few if any had true composition experience. Couple that with the fact that early sound systems were very limiting. And yet they were able to create some truly memorable works. They might not be as "epic" as the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, but they still have their charm.

One thing you might be overlooking is the nature of a movie soundtrack vs. a video game soundtrack. In a movie you get to tailor make your score to suit all of the scenes. You'll have themes that are continuously repeated, like the light side theme and the Imperial March, but each time there might be a new wrinkle to it. Games, on the other hand, use looping music. Many pieces have to be able to play for many minutes on end if the player stays in the same area without becoming annoying. Some games employ more dynamic soundtracks that change in tone when something happens, such as in a game like FFXII where you transition to combat, but it isn't as finely timed as it is with movies, and really can't be.

I partially disagree with your notion regarding video game music acceptance. Not everyone has accepted it, but many have. I've been to Play and several Final Fantasy concerts, and one thing that always strikes me is the number of people in the audience who aren't gamers. Granted, many of them are the couples who buy season tickets to the orchestra, but I have yet to meet one who didn't enjoy the show. It is genuinly good music, but some people find it hard to get past the sounds of old audio chips. But that's no different than someone who doesn't like the banjo version of Phantom of the Opera. The instruments can change but the basic music doens't.

[Mr.White555]

Great post! I agree with this for the most part except that there are a lot video games that have great soundtracks.

Metal of Honor: Front lines had an amazing soundtrack. The music gives me chills at times.


Most memorable track for me:


That is the only one off the top of my head that I can remember that had an original orchestral soundtrack that was really memorable.

[Niode]

You should check out Mozgus' website.

http://www.auriculardiscovery.com/

He's going to love me for that plug. It is pretty good though, brings some very good music up. Some stuff that would have just passed me by either because the game doesn't appeal or I just didn't know about it.

[Ziggy]

but none could capture my imagination as much as John Williams did when he sent me into space with his larger then life sound track.

John Williams is AMAZING. I don't believe I've ever heard music in a movie written by John Williams that I didn't completely enjoy and get blown away by. He's a genius at writing music to go to movies, capturing the feel of each scene. Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Hook, Home Alone, and Catch Me if You Can are some of my favorites.

[Niode]

As far as film music goes I like Phillip Glass. Amazing composer. Also Harry Greggson Williams does a mean soundtrack.

[corn619]

The music in Final Fantasy IV and VI are amazing and I've yet to feel like that again from a game or movies music. The Secret Of Mana series has some really moving music as well. Keep this in mind that this is coming from a person who has the Mega Man 2 & 3 soundtracks on his iPhone, also awesome. The Tokyo Symphony Orchestra has a great 5 disc music set soley dedicated to gamings greatest music. Its really awesome and a must hear for any game music fan.

[jfe2]

It's funny that this topic has been brought up, as I was just thinking about it the other day. IMO, video game soundtracks can make or break a game, as far as the impact it has on your memory. That's a big deal, and since games are finally being recognized as mainstream media now, the music side of things will be recognized as a side effect.

I was playing through VVVVVV recently and was actually marveling at the quality of the music in that game. It's an independent, 8-bit inspired game, and the while the gameplay is completely addicting, the music is what drew me into the world. As quirky as it may be, the game world would not be complete without it, and when I think back on the game right now, the music is the first thing that comes to mind.

Another example that more people can probably relate with is the game Chrono Cross. Don't get me wrong, the game is great, but when I think back on it now the music is the first thing that pops into my head. The opening theme to that game is one of the most epic songs I've ever heard!

[8-bit Legend]

It wasnt all that special, but I believe that the music in Super Metroid for the SNES really put me in Samus's boots

[MrPopo]

but none could capture my imagination as much as John Williams did when he sent me into space with his larger then life sound track.

John Williams is AMAZING. I don't believe I've ever heard music in a movie written by John Williams that I didn't completely enjoy and get blown away by. He's a genius at writing music to go to movies, capturing the feel of each scene. Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Hook, Home Alone, and Catch Me if You Can are some of my favorites.

Why does no one bring up the score to Schindler's List when they mention John Williams?