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Enjoying game music
Without really meaning to, I found some good music to listen to while working, music from games. It makes quite a lot of sense really when you think about it. Game music is written to help the gamer enjoy the game without distracting them, so it’s perfect background music.
Myself, I’m listening to the tracks from some of the Might and Magic series of games, 6-9 to be precise. As they were created some time ago, the music was supplied on a combined audio and data CD. Extracting the music couldn’t have been easier with the ripping tab in Windows Media Player, although I had to put the track information myself.
It seems that these games were at something of a sweet spot for general listening. Earlier games often used MIDI, which was very atmospheric in games like Dark Forces but loses something for day to day use. Some games have a decent collection of mp3s, X2 The Threat was one, but I’ve found that many use a system to change the music to react to events. The resulting files are too small to be of any use in this way.
Having said that, there may be a small renaissance of game music. Some idle web searching produced DirectSong, a website offering albums for Elder Scrolls III and IV, Guild Wars and Dungeon Siege II among others. Annoyingly there is no mention of price before signing up, which is enough for me to go elsewhere, but it’s a good idea none the less.
As a slight aside, one of my favourite games of all times, No One Lives Forever, came with a small album’s worth of music on the second install CD. In fact you can even download the source code for the game now from the official site. In fact, I’ve just discovered that you can download the music, and quite a few more extra tracks too, from indiespace.com. I think I shall do so now.
Does anyone else have any favourite music from games?
I just love to see these stuff.
posted-by addictive games | February 4, 2009 11:10 AM
Oh the memories of rocking out to doom music. I know I could always have popped in a pantera cd, but there was something about hearing it in all its MIDI glory which did the trick :D
posted-by Krystal Anderson | February 4, 2009 3:22 PM
Just go to http://directsong.com/catalog.asp to see the prices.
posted-by Stephen | February 6, 2009 5:08 AM
I absolutely ADORE gaming music. Some of the major companies have a knack of making their games even more lively and memorable just by putting in some awesome music. Final Fantasy 7 for instance, it is widely regarded as the most beloved game of all time, and it's music is re-known.
posted-by Google People Search | February 8, 2009 4:43 AM
The might and magic games just get better and better! It has all the reality of making you the player and as though you are in the game itself. The gaming music is actually superb that makes you wanna play more!
posted-by Tim Whiteman | February 9, 2009 4:35 PM
I'm definitely a fan of game soundtracks. To this day I remember how addictive the tune in Legend of Zelda was. It drew you in and focused you for the task at hand.
Hmm, there must be away to extract that NES music. Off to google...
posted-by pyngthyngs | February 9, 2009 11:34 PM
You're right. My son is always finding new music from his video games.
Motown Terri
posted-by Motown Terri | April 28, 2009 7:20 PM
I also agree that game music is awesome! I've heard so many good tracks that have all come from video games. I even find myself trying to download them off of limewire.
posted-by Jon | June 24, 2009 4:10 AM