The development of video game music
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how video game music developed from film music, and can create a simple video game theme.
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.
Teacher tip
Many pupils will find this an engaging area of learning. Where possible, encourage deeper engagement by exploring examples of video game music as a class, or asking pupilss to analyse the music of their favourite video games - how do the musical features suit this game and enhance the experience?
Equipment
DAW, notation software, keyboard or other suitable instrument as a composition tool
Licence
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