How important is music for your Games ?

drhalid

Hello GameSalad community -
I would like to start a discussion of how important you guys value the music in a game ?

Even though I see a lot of great music out there - I sometimes find that game developers rather would like to purchase songs that are cheap but maybe do not really create that emotional bond with the user.

My opinion is: I find that the music of a game is really important to establish an emotional bond - for example the song and melody of AngryBirds really sticks in your ears.

What do you guys think ?

beefy_clyro

Its massive in setting tone and atmosphere, same with sound effects. Often overlooked but plays a bit part in a game

The_Gamesalad_Guru

My contention is sound FX are as essential as any other aspect of ones game.

imGua

Very important! That's why I waste a lot of time to find good music.

Braydon_SFX

That's why I waste a lot of time to find good music.

Then you're not 'wasting' time, are you? You're looking for elements to put into your game. It's part of development.

RP

Sailing with wind does wonders.

DigiChain

Just whistle something into the mic, that should do it.

LumpApps

Funny you ask because I have been trying to make an more or less epic song for a game trailer today. I tried but am not too happy with it yet. I am good at making tunes but I am by no means a sound engineer and fail on that point

drhalid

Funny you ask because I have been trying to make an more or less epic song for a game trailer today. I tried but am not too happy with it yet. I am good at making tunes but I am by no means a sound engineer and fail on that point

I agree so much - it takes skill to make a tune and different skills to master and edit it nicely :-)

drhalid

Is having a "catchy melody" important or are there other aspects in a song that play an important role in choosing the perfect tune for you ?

LumpApps

It should be "loopable" without being repetitive. I love for example Super Mario 64 for that.

GOG_Games

Music is a big part of games that is overlooked by some developers. It sets the MOOD, builds the ADRENALINE and gives the game a LITTLE SOMETHING that people don't quite detect, but it helps them want to play the game again and again.

I agree with @LudwigHeijden, game music should definitely be LOOPABLE, but one thing that will annoy many people is if it is REPETITIVE. REPETITIVE. :P

Catchy melodies are good, but are also okay to pass up. Especially if the game is catchy itself.

The music in games should also be UNIQUE, with a certain twist that makes it your own.

By the way, I make my own music and sounds.

Socks

Is having a "catchy melody" important or are there other aspects in a song that play an important role in choosing the perfect tune for you ?

I'd avoid an obvious melody and lean more towards a looping chord sequence (without too many dynamics), a strong melody, regardless of how great it might be, might become wearing after hearing it for the 50th time. You might get away with a simple theme but I'd avoid something too catchy.

Socks

Funny you ask because I have been trying to make an more or less epic song for a game trailer today. I tried but am not too happy with it yet. I am good at making tunes but I am by no means a sound engineer and fail on that point

Send it to me, it's what I do for a living, I'll take a listen to it for you, maybe make some suggestions . . . . ?

Socks

I agree so much - it takes skill to make a tune and different skills to master and edit it nicely :-)

'Skill' ?

Starts the stop watch . . . .

The_Gamesalad_Guru

As a sound engineer myself, who also writes music and produces it's all about the genre of your game and the emotional impact you want to draw out of the users. Music and sound FX for games it very similar to tracking for film. Having a moving track that flows with the gameplay and can even recognize the moment. Think of a suspense move where the music shifts when danger is approching. We applied these techniques in our game Puck It as the Crowd and announcers respond in kind to the action occurring. This gives the user the sense that the game is alive. Anything you do in your game from art, gameplay, sound et... It's all about entertaining and drawing the user into experience.

drhalid

Think of a suspense move where the music shifts when danger is approching. We applied these techniques in our game Puck It as the Crowd and announcers respond in kind to the action occurring. This gives the user the sense that the game is alive. Anything you do in your game from art, gameplay, sound et... It's all about entertaining and drawing the user into experience.

I agree as the game industry is getting pretty close to the movie world, where the sound track is very important already - think of "Pirates of the Caribbean" for example.

drhalid

Speaking of money: when talking about all the costs involved when creating a game, like graphics and developments - How much are you guys willing to pay for a decent song ?

imGua

That's why I waste a lot of time to find good music.

Then you're not 'wasting' time, are you? You're looking for elements to put into your game. It's part of development.

Oops. I meant spend a lot of time to find good music.

Bad wolf Guy

As a sound engineer myself, who also writes music and produces it's all about the genre of your game and the emotional impact you want to draw out of the users. Music and sound FX for games it very similar to tracking for film. Having a moving track that flows with the gameplay and can even recognize the moment. Think of a suspense move where the music shifts when danger is approching. We applied these techniques in our game Puck It as the Crowd and announcers respond in kind to the action occurring. This gives the user the sense that the game is alive. Anything you do in your game from art, gameplay, sound et... It's all about entertaining and drawing the user into experience.

@FryingBaconStudios I gotta say I have to agree with you. entertaining the player with sound is vital. That's one of the highlights of Puck it. Well said

The_Gamesalad_Guru

I also have schooling in film. Most of the fundamental techniques of film cross in all aspects of multi media. The idea of any of the entertainment media types is the user plays them to escape reality for some time. This is my contention why many good games fail. The don't fail as a game, they fail to be entertaining. It's a must, to understand how to captivate a user and take them into their escape and hold them there without breaking the illusion. This is basic entertainment craft, whether we're talking about movies, theater, music, et.... To take your development skills to the next level an understanding of the philosophy of movie making and entertaining is essential.

@123app believe it or not the most consistent compliment we received about Puck It was great game and they specifically singled out the sound experience.