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You know what I think? Well, of course you don't, but I'll tell you anyway...
What really makes you sit on the edge of your seat when on the verge of completing an almost-impossible level on Perfect Dark? What really feeds your emotions to the extent that you sweat with anticipation? What really immerses you so much into the game that you forget about everything else around you? Well, methinks it's the in-game music that does all of the above. Think about it - where would a game be without music?
Some games’ developers don't put much effort into the in-game music, but some games’ developers do. Some games achieve greater percentages from reviewers simply because of the amount of time and effort they put into the music - some even put the effort into using a whole orchestra of violinists, guitarists, and pianists just to make the game that little bit more impressive. Good for them - the better the music, the better the game methinks.
Take Metal Gear Solid for example. It wouldn't be as much of an espionage game if it didn't have that superb stealth-like music would it? Without the music, it’s unlikely that you’ll take as much time and care than what you would with the music, right? I don't think I’ve ever been so immersed in a game like when I was playing MGS!
It’s down to atmosphere. Music creates the perfect atmosphere for any game, including , of course, the specific usage of graphics (fogging, mist, gloom, etc...). You can’t have a better example of atmosphere than Silent Hill, can you? They specifically designed the game to have a limited vision in the darkness so that it would be scary - not that they made a mistake; they wanted the game to be that way in order to create a scary atmosphere. So to make it that good deal scarier, they added that eerie, terrifying music and thanks to those gods at Konami, Silent Hill 2 is one of THE most anticipated titles on the PS2 - well, there’s another game that has benefited from a developers hard work into the music department, ay?
Inspiration. There’s another factor music’s associated with. If, say, you play music you like in a multiplayer deathmatch (if you have the choice - PD for example) you’re likely to play and do better; well, that’s what happens to me. You might find yourself humming away to the catchy tune whilst smoothly picking off your enemies one-by-one because you like the music and it seems to inspire you to play better.
The trouble is, I’ve only just realised the importance of including music in a game, and how much of a necessity it is to the gaming industry - does this mean, that instead of us gossiping about how good the forthcoming game looks - we should first ask ourselves: will it have good music though? Will we find the games’ music good enough to enjoy it as much as we should?
Thanks for reading - Shocktrooper.
What really makes you sit on the edge of your seat when on the verge of completing an almost-impossible level on Perfect Dark? What really feeds your emotions to the extent that you sweat with anticipation? What really immerses you so much into the game that you forget about everything else around you? Well, methinks it's the in-game music that does all of the above. Think about it - where would a game be without music?
Some games’ developers don't put much effort into the in-game music, but some games’ developers do. Some games achieve greater percentages from reviewers simply because of the amount of time and effort they put into the music - some even put the effort into using a whole orchestra of violinists, guitarists, and pianists just to make the game that little bit more impressive. Good for them - the better the music, the better the game methinks.
Take Metal Gear Solid for example. It wouldn't be as much of an espionage game if it didn't have that superb stealth-like music would it? Without the music, it’s unlikely that you’ll take as much time and care than what you would with the music, right? I don't think I’ve ever been so immersed in a game like when I was playing MGS!
It’s down to atmosphere. Music creates the perfect atmosphere for any game, including , of course, the specific usage of graphics (fogging, mist, gloom, etc...). You can’t have a better example of atmosphere than Silent Hill, can you? They specifically designed the game to have a limited vision in the darkness so that it would be scary - not that they made a mistake; they wanted the game to be that way in order to create a scary atmosphere. So to make it that good deal scarier, they added that eerie, terrifying music and thanks to those gods at Konami, Silent Hill 2 is one of THE most anticipated titles on the PS2 - well, there’s another game that has benefited from a developers hard work into the music department, ay?
Inspiration. There’s another factor music’s associated with. If, say, you play music you like in a multiplayer deathmatch (if you have the choice - PD for example) you’re likely to play and do better; well, that’s what happens to me. You might find yourself humming away to the catchy tune whilst smoothly picking off your enemies one-by-one because you like the music and it seems to inspire you to play better.
The trouble is, I’ve only just realised the importance of including music in a game, and how much of a necessity it is to the gaming industry - does this mean, that instead of us gossiping about how good the forthcoming game looks - we should first ask ourselves: will it have good music though? Will we find the games’ music good enough to enjoy it as much as we should?
Thanks for reading - Shocktrooper.
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Shocktrooper wrote:
> Very well said Delta old boy.
But then again - if you had to
> choose between a game with superb, advanced-technology-type
> graphics, but it was a nightmare to play and a game with average,
> dull and drab graphics, but played like a dream - what would you
> choose?
I know which one i'd choose.
The last one.
I thought we were talking about music though?
> Very well said Delta old boy.
But then again - if you had to
> choose between a game with superb, advanced-technology-type
> graphics, but it was a nightmare to play and a game with average,
> dull and drab graphics, but played like a dream - what would you
> choose?
I know which one i'd choose.
The last one.
I thought we were talking about music though?
Very well said Delta old boy.
But then again - if you had to choose between a game with superb, advanced-technology-type graphics, but it was a nightmare to play and a game with average, dull and drab graphics, but played like a dream - what would you choose?
I know which one i'd choose.
But then again - if you had to choose between a game with superb, advanced-technology-type graphics, but it was a nightmare to play and a game with average, dull and drab graphics, but played like a dream - what would you choose?
I know which one i'd choose.
Music is everything. You cannot be properly immersed in a game without the thing. Of course, it's not as essentail as graphics - after all, what's the point of having a great game if you can't see it? Ha! Anyway, music is still essential to any game, be it on the GBA or on a PC with 4 speakers.
Music is one of the most improtant features in the game. just think a game with no music. How sad. Music is everyting. Scary music, action music. It puts you in the mood.
Did I say THQ?? Now what's that really classy digital sound thingy called again? You know? The one found in cinemas - blimey, me minds gone blank!
Cheers Dan, Seifer, Time_Warp.
And what's an even brighter prospect of gaming in the future, is that the quality of the music will get better! What with all this digital stuff (THQ, Dolby Surround, etc).
Music will sound so crisp and clear that Gaming will advance from being just good - it'll be fantastic!!
And what's an even brighter prospect of gaming in the future, is that the quality of the music will get better! What with all this digital stuff (THQ, Dolby Surround, etc).
Music will sound so crisp and clear that Gaming will advance from being just good - it'll be fantastic!!
Hey good post Shocktrooper!
I think the music is so underrated in games. Lots of people notice when the music is bad, but not enough appreciate it when it is good. The way music can make the experience of a game that much better, by heightening tension or making amusing moments funnier, is an intrinsic part of gaming and it always pleases me when developers take time with the music composition and arrangement.
(BTW - the FF fight music is actually a minor pet hate of mine... couldn't they at least have a few variations every now and then so it isn't the same all the time?? Please?)
I think the music is so underrated in games. Lots of people notice when the music is bad, but not enough appreciate it when it is good. The way music can make the experience of a game that much better, by heightening tension or making amusing moments funnier, is an intrinsic part of gaming and it always pleases me when developers take time with the music composition and arrangement.
(BTW - the FF fight music is actually a minor pet hate of mine... couldn't they at least have a few variations every now and then so it isn't the same all the time?? Please?)
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