Looking at the state of Video Game soundtracks today and how far they have come from the beginning of the industry.
Big air meets big sound.
Some games are also showing us that original orchestral arrangements are not required in order to make an experience authentic. SSX was seen as one of the most popular snowboard video games of all time. It was easy to learn, difficult to master, and extremely fun throughout. Beyond just the controls though, EA went one step above with their work on this franchise and really tried to embrace the snowboard culture. This included a visual presentation of characters and menus that fit perfectly. But they completely knocked the ball out of the park with something that defined the snowboarding culture almost completely, the music.
The SSX franchise has included many different composers and DJs. The likes of Mix Master Mike and Junkie XL were engaged to create some truly original, and insane, tracks through the different iterations. EA understood the value of this so much that they even include modes in the original game where you could just listen to the various songs. This same level of quality has been put towards the most recent iteration, though in a slightly different way. A number of different artists have been asked to lend their songs to the overall game soundtrack. The result is a number of popular, though not Top 40, tracks playing as you try to make your way down some of the most dangerous mountains in the world. The arcade snowboarder managed to find a way to be unrealistic in terms of the sport but yet very relatable in terms of the culture. While different, it’s yet another example of how music can be used to enhance the video game experience.
I have been a fan of soundtracks in general for years. I think music has the ability to induce some fascinating responses in people. With video game staying in such an interesting place in terms of storytelling, the level of detail that needs to go into music to help tell those stories is only increasing. Developers are now using trailers that detail out the soundtrack creation process as a major marketing tool to sell their games. They have realized that the educated consumer notices and appreciates all of the little things that make a video game experience memorable.
So next time you are blasting zombies, jumping on mushrooms, slashing goblins, or doing a 360 dunk, take a moment to listen (if not turn up) the music in the background. Not only might you be pleasantly surprised, but it might completely change how you experience the game going forward.
