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"Listen To The Music."

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Sun 19/08/01 at 20:17
Regular
Posts: 787
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.
Sun 19/08/01 at 20:46
Posts: 0
Your right Shocktrooper, music is one of the most essential parts of gaming today, without the soundtracks gaming would not be as good as it is today, without the soundtrack, gaming would not be at the same dimension as it is today

BTW, that's a good post Shocky! See why I voted for you, I know you've got potential!
Sun 19/08/01 at 20:46
Posts: 0
Excellent topic. YOu're right, some games are made by the music. The depth is usually made up with extras like this. Look at the FF series. When you start a fight this cool retro music comes on and really gets u going!
Sun 19/08/01 at 20:17
Regular
"[SE] Acetrooper"
Posts: 2,527
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.

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