Video Game Music

[MintyFreshBreathGuy]

OK maybe this is just me being picky about games, as I normally am, but does anyone else have the same opinion?
Let me clarify. An example I would give would be Half Life 2. Don't get me wrong I love the game and I loved the music, but it only last for a certain amount of time. Then it's back to the quiet. I do usually turn on iTunes and just play while listening to that but it still doesn't feel right. A good example, in my opinion, of video game music would be Mario 64 or CoD4. The music keeps playing and it really fits for the immersion. That's why I like CoD4 and that's why I can get through the Mario clock level with ease.
Anyone else think this?

 

[Galletea]

I do find it a bit odd when the music cuts out. I think it does it a lot on Halo too. I like there to either be constant music or none at all, as the juxtaposition of silence and music doesn't ever seem to be handled very well.

 

[Erana]

I say, Bring back chiptunes into games!

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Game music mostly doesn't add to immersion. (gnnh, I hate that word.)

If it's constant it just adds to the sensory overload and sets the mood. Games like Half-Life 2 and ICO use music sparing, and to good effect in my opinion. Some times you don't want to be distracted by the music but at other times it adds something to the experience.

 

[MintyFreshBreathGuy]

I was thinking, for games in general, that the game gives you an iPod in game and then, from itunes or whatever, you can download songs into your game. I think it would be interesting. Of course that's just the outline so I'm still thinking about everything in it.

 

[shatnershaman]

When not playing Halo I play Halo music with custom soundtracks. Yes I like Halo.

I was thinking, for games in general, that the game gives you an iPod in game and then, from itunes or whatever, you can download songs into your game. I think it would be interesting. Of course that's just the outline so I'm still thinking about everything in it.

Snake does have an iPod in MGS4 but its just product placement not this connectivity your talking about.

I do fully disagree with you though since its:
a)Only for iPod owners
b)Have to use iTunes
c)Proprietary DRM full music is no fun.

 

[MintyFreshBreathGuy]

Game music mostly doesn't add to immersion. (gnnh, I hate that word.)

If it's constant it just adds to the sensory overload and sets the mood. Games like Half-Life 2 and ICO use music sparing, and to good effect in my opinion. Some times you don't want to be distracted by the music but at other times it adds something to the experience.

I think it partly depends on the player. I do agree with your comment on Half Life's music, it's obviously scripted, and when it's que comes it gives a great performance. Personally I like running around shooting things seeing if I can hit a beat with a headshot but that's just me. And it's true it also adds to the mood, liek in System Shock 2, which makes it a lto more fun to play.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Nothing to stop you using custom playlists on the 360. I have been running Winamp in the background for PC games for a long time now, as I don't like the bombastic orchestral tracks that are standard in PC games, but I mostly tune the music out and concentrate on the game if it's good enough.

 

[Erana]

I'd like a game, at the start of a new file, to ask:
Epic theme:
Your theme:
Love interest theme:
Shop theme:
Your mom's theme:
Generic bad guy theme:

And so on, so forth.

 

[MintyFreshBreathGuy]

When not playing Halo I play Halo music with custom soundtracks. Yes I like Halo.

I was thinking, for games in general, that the game gives you an iPod in game and then, from itunes or whatever, you can download songs into your game. I think it would be interesting. Of course that's just the outline so I'm still thinking about everything in it.

Snake does have an iPod in MGS4 but its just product placement not this connectivity your talking about.

I do fully disagree with you though since its:
a)Only for iPod owners
b)Have to use iTunes
c)Proprietary DRM full music is no fun.

I never said you'd have to use itunes I said you could. And I should have clarified "something like an iPod" If you have a certain song you could download it. Alternatively there's the in game music. It's like the watch thing in Fallout 3 how it has the radio guy, it's like that. But I do see your point either way.

 

[MintyFreshBreathGuy]

I'd like a game, at the start of a new file, to ask:
Epic theme:
Your theme:
Love interest theme:
Shop theme:
Your mom's theme:
Generic bad guy theme:

And so on, so forth.

I do like that idea. Once again I'm amazed I didn't think of it that is a really good idea.

 

[Shellsh0cker]

I'd like a game, at the start of a new file, to ask:
Epic theme:
Your theme:
Love interest theme:
Shop theme:
Your mom's theme:
Generic bad guy theme:

And so on, so forth.

THIS WOULD BE SO AWESOME. Especially if you could assign secondary and tertiary themes. Maybe the game could do something like the Audiosurf waveform analysis, then assign stats/personality traits based on the music you choose. Oh, man, this would be epic.

In response to the OP, I think it's usually done well enough that I don't mind. Some games (Portal springs to mind) use music only for effect, while others have it running in the background the entire time. Both approaches are valid, I think.

 

[Clashero]

Fatal Frame (all 3) did the music perfectly.
And for a bad example... eh... oh, right, Warrior Within!