Music’s all around us, all of the time. But this ubiquity means that we can sometimes overlook just what an effect it has, and how it’s being used.
In movies it serves multiple purposes. It can raise or reduce tension, it can give an insight into how a character is feeling and it can create a recognisable theme that’s repeated in different ways as the action moves on.
In retail spaces it can be used to influence shoppers’ moods and in TV ads a well-used piece of music or well-known song can create an ear-worm that forever gets associated with a particular brand or product.
When it comes to gaming it can add hugely to the experience.
The way that soundtracks work in games is very similar in many ways to its effect in movies, mirroring the action on-screen and rising and falling in line with the stage in the game in question.
More than just a soundtrack
In fact music in games is almost like another character, and that’s why so much time and money is invested in creating it. So, before we move on to looking at what kinds of other music to listen to we’ll take a look at some of the principles behind sound design for the games themselves, as well as some of the songs that have become closely associated with particular games.
In helping players make emotional connections with games it makes playing more than just an exciting experience, it creates a more profound link with the game.
It also triggers memories of the game that can resonate whenever that particular soundtrack, or a similar one is heard. It tends to be a genre that is appropriate to the particular game and a great example of this is the White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army which was used extensively for the trailers for Battlefield 1. The insistent, driving beat and pared-back sound was suitably militaristic.
Other games like Halo and The Legend of Zelda have become almost as well-known for their soundtracks as they have for the games themselves.
Go your own way
Having said this, an increasing trend amongst gamers has been to choose their own favourite songs to listen to as they discover new worlds, fight to avoid a zombie apocalypse or rise to the top in the dog-eat-dog world of Grand Theft Auto.
Even if you don’t have any particular ideas of your own, you’re going to find no shortage of playlists on streaming sites like Spotify and Soundcloud. You’ll still have to search through them before you find your own particular groove – and there are going to be different playlists that are more suitable for some games than for others.
Genres for games
An obvious way of choosing which sounds to pick for particular games is to go for genre.
Pop
This has always been rated as being a lightweight, fun sort of sound. So it’s going to match up perfectly with games that aren’t too serious and maybe don’t need the intense concentration that some do. So if you’re settling down for bingo games a playlist packed with hits from Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo and even Taylor Swift could be the perfect bubble-gum accompaniment.
Ambient
It could be that you just want to create a chilled, other-worldly atmosphere, especially if you’re playing a more relaxing kind of game like Stardew Alley, No Man’s Sky or even trying to land the pieces in Tetris. It’ll surround you with a warm feeling of calm that would be 100% wrong for almost any other game type. Try out Max Corbacho’s Splendid Labyrinths or go totally old school with the so-called father of ambient music, Brian Eno. His album Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtrack is a classic that never ages.
Electronic
Probably the number 1 genre for fast-paced games. The heady combination of fast, pulsing beats and minimal words go together perfectly with so many gaming scenarios. It’s exhilarating without being too distracting and brings a real main character energy into play. There are so many artists you could choose but Deadmau5, Kavinsky or Justice certainly take some beating.
Orchestral
A bit of a left-field idea to end with. But the grandeur and opulence of orchestral music partners perfectly with games like Final Fantasy and The Elder Scrolls. It’s music that brings a cinematic intensity to the experience. Of course some games already have orchestral classics built in – so works like Mozart’s Requiem which features in Bioshock Infinite can give you some inspiration to seek out similar pieces.
Then just get yourself the very best pair of noise cancelling headphones that you can afford, set up your playlists on your favourite streaming service and prepare to be transported by music as you play.
