Video game soundtracks gain presence as music for gamers consumption | TECHNOLOGY

Just like in the movies, in the video game music has the ability to significantly intensify the emotions and sensations felt when playing.

“It is even capable of manipulating the emotions of a scene to the point of changing the feeling of the gameplay completely. For example, through the use of music, a battle scenario can feel very adrenaline-pumping – imagine fast and intense music – or very dramatic with a dramatic and painful piano solo.”, Says Alfonso Perdomo, composer and music producer.

In 1972 Nolan Bushnell created the video game Pong, the first game to reproduce sounds, which in this case was a “plic” when the ball bounced. Later, in 1975 Gunfight came out, in which you could hear the shots.

The hardware that they used to reproduce those sounds did not allow to reproduce music but everything would change two years later with the release of Atari 2600, the first system that incorporated more sound effects.

Today, video games no longer only include effects, but are accompanied by musical pieces that aim to improve the experience of gamers.

The music should complement, never intrude on the experience, says Perdomo. “If a piece of music distracts from the scene and disturbs the emotion that should be communicated, it is poorly designed and, given this, great care must be taken”.

The idea is that music never feels like a soloist and isolated element, but as one more element of an audiovisual whole. “If the music is distracting when playing, it has failed.”

It is worth analyzing – he adds – the relevance of soundtracks in video games, not only as secondary, but as consumer music for the most loyal video game players.

And it is that video game soundtracks They have gone from being hidden behind the scenes to recognized albums, which you can buy as vinyl (very fashionable today) and enjoy their pieces as you would any other mainstream artist.

“This musical approach has been used recently by CD Projekt Red in their soundtrack for Cyberpunk 2077, especially with the creation of the phytic band Samurai, whose compositions were commissioned to the rock band Refused.”Says the music producer.

Although these practices are not entirely new, since in games like Alan Wake of 2010 this same approach was used with the fictional band Old Gods Of Asgard, played by the real band Poets Of The Fall, it is a practice that seems to catch every time. more and more popularity.

Trends

The musical trend in terms of soundtracks goes very hand in hand with how the music industry moves in general.

Perdomo mentions that previously, people had less control over what they listened to since music was imposed by different platforms (radios, TV, among others), today this has changed, since it is the user himself who decides what to listen to.

“In the same way, in video games, the music you could listen to was only what the developer put on the disc, and no more. However, streaming platforms have started a revolution that advocates for people’s own tastes and the customization of playlists, and the video game industry will not escape from it “, The composers and music producer stand out.

Along these lines, he foresees that a revolutionary change that can be seen on the near horizon is the implementation of streaming platforms with video games. “In order to have music entirely personalized to the taste of the player.”

“And it is that although for cinematics, it is difficult to change the music designed, for the game in general a change of focus will probably be seen in terms of the musical aspect. Who knows, now maybe, instead of composing specific pieces, complete playlists will be designed for specific video games or scenarios. It’s a posibility”, He warns.

Another trend – he explains – is the shift from purely orchestral music, very cinematic style, as used to be done in Hollywood films of the twentieth century, towards a more pop style (in the sense of popular music).

“Various genres of video games are making use of genres more characteristic of soloists, bands, and even renowned artists, than film orchestras. However, this will depend a lot on the game genre certainly”, It indicates.

There are more and more trailers with renowned singers, such as the case of Billie Eilish with “Bury A Friend”, the song made for the reveal trailer of the zombies mode of Call Of Duty Vanguard, the new game in the series.

“I am aware that this compositional style for soundtracks will be even more common for a long time in the video game industry.”, Highlights Perdomo.

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