Music is an important part of people’s lives and an equally important part of video games. It has evolved from simple beeps and 8-bit chiptunes to full orchestral scores and high-quality compositions enjoyed by millions of people. What was once just a background sound to add a certain atmosphere has become a separate musical genre that is enjoying great popularity. This growth of game soundtracks as a separate genre is a testament to the growing cultural significance of games and the skill of their music. So in this article, we’ll tell you how game soundtracks have split off from video games to become a popular genre in their own right.
Table of Contents
The Evolution of Video Game Music
Early video game music was constrained by the limitations of technology. The 1980’s saw consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System and arcade machines generate simple synthesized sounds due to the constraints imposed by their hardware. Within these confines, the composers showed ingenuity in creating catchy tunes. Super Mario Bros. theme by Koji Kondo and The Legend of Zelda soundtrack became classics despite their apparent simplicity.
The 1990s ushered in advances in gaming technology, as CD-quality audio arrived through the PlayStation and Nintendo 64, allowing for greater composition complexity. This era fostered orchestral and fully produced soundtracks, along with classic scores such as Final Fantasy VII, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and Metal Gear Solid. These compositions imparted poignancy that turned them from mere background music to integral emotional experiences for the video games.
Starting in the 2000s, soundtracks began to evolve dramatically both in terms of quality and sophistication of compositions. For example, take a title like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which is included in the lists of legendary games, where music plays a very important role. And it’s not just simple compositions, but well-recorded ambient inserts or dynamic medieval music, needless to say, the game’s opening theme song itself has received very wide acclaim. At the same time, electronic and experimental music began to appear in newer games. Halo, Mirror’s Edge, and Cyberpunk 2077 immediately come to mind as examples of very high-quality compositions. The soundscapes in these games also resonated beyond the games themselves.
Gaming Music as a Standalone Genre
The turning point for video game music to become a recognised genre was the rise of streaming platforms and digital distribution. Services such as Spotify and Apple Music immediately come to mind, where almost all listeners listen to music. Whether you’re a fan of cs2 tournament or a fan of RPGs, when you hear the soundtrack of your favourite game, you’ll definitely go online to find and listen to it in full. This is how special game playlists started to be created, allowing fans to enjoy their favourite scores outside of the game. These compositions began to become mega popular and collect millions of plays.
Another important factor in the recognition of game music as a separate genre is the spread and influence of esports. During tournaments, you can often hear energetic music that charges players to new achievements. It is very memorable due to its fast electronic rhythms and cinematic orchestral compositions and immediately sticks in your head. Therefore, these soundtracks have become more than just an accompaniment to the game, but have begun to be perceived as a separate musical genre.
The Influence of Composers and Artists
Many people who are not very knowledgeable about music claim that it is easy to create a composition. But this is not true, and to create a real work of art, you need to spend a lot of time learning the basics, selecting sounds, and coming up with a melody. Most video game composers have gained popularity in the music industry by proving their skills. Composers such as Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy), Mick Gordon (DOOM), and Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts) have created special fan bases that follow their work in different franchises. It is worth noting that some artists, such as composer Celeste Lena Raine, even have albums of their game soundtracks, and they are quite successful.
In addition to traditional game composers, video game soundtracks have increasingly featured well-known artists. Performers such as Hans Zimmer, The Weeknd, and even local and international orchestras have collaborated on music game projects. This transition between games and the music industry has further strengthened and cemented the status of video game music as a distinct genre.
Live Concerts and Cultural Recognition
A significant milestone in the acceptance of gaming music as a legitimate genre has been its transition into live performances. The concert events of Video Games Live, The Game Awards Orchestra, and Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy have brought gaming music into concert halls worldwide, featuring audiences that appreciate video game soundtracks outside the game context.
In addition, we can all hear music at official ceremonies, game launches or award ceremonies. There, it plays an equally important role as in the games themselves and contributes to the overall atmosphere of the event. In particular, the playback of famous game soundtracks at the Grammy and BAFTA Games Awards has strengthened the legitimacy of the entire genre. We immediately think of such soundtracks as Journey, The Last of Us, and God of War, which received prestigious awards and their composers received real recognition.
Conclusion
Music, undoubtedly, is far removed from the realm of video games, so far as to be considered a genre all by itself. From the chiptune heyday through the cinematic soundscapes filled with instruments and electro-fantasia of today, game soundtracks have developed into a genre and grown recognition as an art. They have a far-reaching influence that can be appreciated in many locations; eSports tournaments, concerts, and awards further strengthen the present music industry with all flavors of concert soundtracks. As gaming evolves, so will the reach and effect of music, cementing music as an intrinsic element of entertainment culture.
