Video games are one of the most complex and powerful art forms out there. People like to argue that games aren’t actually art. But, when you look at the mechanics of making a game, there are so many different artistic endeavors that have to come together for it to work. Alongside a host of complex technical components too.
There is no other artistic medium on the planet that can encapsulate an idea in a more interactive and expansive way than a video game. The blending of nearly every artistic medium into one project is not an easy thing to get right. Particularly when it comes to the music! Video game soundtracks are one of the most overlooked, yet vitally important aspects of a game’s success.
But why is music so important to a game? And how can you go about creating an effective video game OST? Today we will be examining everything that makes an amazing OST. So that you can better understand what you need to focus on when creating yours.
The Power Of Music
One of the first mistakes people make when crafting their video game OST is assuming that the music and the world of the game are separate. While the music they create might still be in keeping with the world’s theme, it isn’t giving us any new information. No subtle hints about the story, no motifs to relate back to different story beats or characters. And no creative uses of music to heighten the players experience.
We will be using Dark Souls as our first example of what a masterfully made OST looks like. The Dark Souls soundtrack is a masterclass in connecting music with the world. And the main way they do that is by actually having no music playing during the majority of the game. Now this might sound counterintuitive. But the game is set in a broken and desolate world. You are meant to be hit with an intense feeling of loneliness and despair. And, without music playing during your exploration, you are left with only the starkness of the world.
This is a prime example of how a soundtrack should compliment the game. The game does have some amazing tracks though. Primarily during the boss fights. And this is powerful. When you meet a boss you go from having no music to a sudden epic orchestral symphony. One that shows you how powerful and deadly the foe you are about to face truly is.
So, when you are planning your games OST, you need to consider how the music can most effectively communicate the principles of your game to the player. When is the music going to be most important? And when might you not need any music at all?
Study Everything
No creative work exists in a vacuum. This is a popular saying in nearly every artistic field. But what does it mean? Essentially it breaks down to the idea that every creative thought ever has been inspired by something else. Even if it is subconsciously. No matter how original an idea you have had is, it will have been tangentially inspired by all the creative works you have seen in your life.
To that end the best way to ensure your gaming OST is as good as it can be is to study as many other soundtracks as possible. Because the best way to succeed is to study from the masters. But don’t just listen to soundtracks from games that are similar to yours. You should be looking at the music of many different game types. From the big triple-A titles like God Of War all the way to the free games online at Arkadium.
In fact browser games are a great place to study gaming soundtracks. Most indie game developers don’t have a huge budget or endless resources to craft a huge orchestral soundtrack like Dark Souls. Yet, using ingenuity and some creative planning, they still manage to craft soundtracks that are worthy of awards!
Collaborate
This is the most pivotal step in crafting the ultimate gaming OST. Every artistic endeavor, no matter how talented the individual making it, can be improved with some creative input from others. So, when making your game’s OST you should be consulting with other musicians and game designers. They might have some amazing ideas that you wouldn’t have ever thought of. Or their suggestions might strike you with inspiration for a track that could elevate the OST to new levels!
