The development of video game music
I can explain how video game music developed from film music, and can create a simple video game theme.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
- Year 10
- AQA
The development of video game music
I can explain how video game music developed from film music, and can create a simple video game theme.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Video game music has transformed as computer technology has developed over the last 50 years.
- Modern video game music fulfils similar roles to film music - creating mood, energy and helping to ‘tell the story’.
- Video game music is based on repeating linear loops that need to be able to repeat indefinitely.
- It is also adaptive, changing in response to the player’s actions.
- Video game theme songs should capture the overall mood and atmosphere of the game.
Keywords
Theme song - a piece of music that introduces a film or game and captures its overall atmosphere
Linear loop - a repeating musical idea in a video game that can be looped indefinitely
Adaptive music - music that can change by reacting to a stimulus; video game music does this when it reacts to the player's actions
Common misconception
Video games composers just have to compose different music for different scenes, like a film composer.
To be really effective, it is more complex than this. The music they compose must be able to repeat indefinitely, while sounding musically interesting. It also has to seamlessly transition into different moods, reacting to changes in the action.
Equipment
DAW, notation software, keyboard or other suitable instrument as a composition tool
Licence
Sign in to continue
Our content remains 100% free, but to access certain copyrighted materials, you'll need to sign in. This ensures we’re both staying within the rules.
P.S. Signing in also gives you more ways to make the most of Oak like unit downloads!
