Music in computer games was introduced gradually, along with the development of technology.
1) The first attempts at voice acting
The history of games begins in the 1970’s, then mostly were arcade machines, and the music was on expensive and short-lived media such as cassettes and vinyl records, so it was very rarely used.
1978 – a new round of technological development and the release of the arcade machine Space Invaders by Taito. Before the premiere of the game, the developers were limited to a small introductory video.
The “shooter” (humans vs. aliens) plays a four-note loop (gamma in D minor) while shooting at the aliens, gamers get a feedback loop associated with the sound effects.
As they approach the enemy, the melody speeds up: the disturbing music speeds up the heartbeat and awakens adrenaline. Compositions for Space Invaders popularized the notion that animation combined with sound effects affects the emotional state of players and can change depending on the scene, and that melody is better than silence.
As a result, the developers’ efforts paid off and the entertainment became iconic, and other video game makers took the example and began to incorporate music for gameplay as well. In the 1980s, manufacturers began using digital chips en masse. MOS Technology 6581/8580 SID – one of the first chips, performing the services of a programmable three-voice sound generator, used in the PC Commodore 64.
At that time they added digital algorithms to the games: a special computer chip converted the electrical pulses of the program year into analog sound waves, output from the speakers.
Another entertainment that deserved attention and was ahead of its time was Journey. An arcade video game released by Bally Midway in 1983. It was the first product created with musicians and digitized with black and white graphics.
The plot is that the gamer needs to collect musical instruments that have been stolen by aliens so that the band can start performing. Each new round is a mini-game with a specific band member and a bonus level. The music and sounds in the game are generated by the AY-3-8910 chip. After each successful level, band fans are rewarded with a performance of a certain song: Chain Reaction, Do Not Stop Believin’, Lights, Still They Ride, Stone in Love, Wheel In The Sky.
2) Diablo 1996.
Matt Uelmen is a video game composer, sound designer and author of the soundtrack for Diablo.
The musician mastered guitar, flute, drums, piano at a young age and was able to play folk, jazz and rock music – later this knowledge came in handy for creating masterpieces!
On the creation of the first parts of the soundtrack, the performers worked from 1996 -2001.
The theme of “Tristram” plays as long as the hero wanders through the ruined village.
There is also music for other locations: “Dungeon,” “Cave,” “Catacombs,” and “Hell.” The compositions affect the mood of the players and inspire: horror, anxiety, wariness. The author uses several techniques of horror music to achieve his goal: the deep sound of the cello and double bass, the whining glissando on the guitar (especially heard in “Catacombs”), the clatter of percussion (a percussive musical instrument), which comes from the dungeon.
All the folk tracks are a successful combination of guitar, electronics and orchestra. The author has coped with the task 100%: the tension gradually builds up, and the rhythm of percussion adds energy and devilish “spice” to successfully pass the next level!
The success was so great that the organizers offered Uelmenu to create music for Diablo 2 as well. The author received many prizes and awards for the soundtracks from the games.
3) The Witcher.
Video game based on the cycle of novels by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski.
Composers and sound designers Pawel Blazak and Adam Skorupa worked on the soundtrack. The music is necessary not only for the atmosphere, but is an integral part of the unique experience. The soundtrack consists of 29 tracks for different locations: River of Life, Mighty, Dead City, Last Battle, The Princess Strigae, Evening in the Tavern and more.
Polish death metal band Vader even wrote a song for the game called Sword of The Witcher.
The compositions combine several elements of different styles in several “layers”: alternative rock, folk-rock, Celtic music, country, death metal, acoustic, rock.
Musical accompaniment is an indispensable element, which opens the door to the magical world and is an excellent assistant for concentration. The effect is achieved by the sound of musical instruments: guitar, flute, flute, harp, frame drums, etc. Fans appreciated the game, which confirms the successful release of the next parts.
4) Skyrim.
Skyrim is an open-world computer role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios. Skyrim was the best game at the Golden Joystick Awards 2012.
American composer Jeremy Saul wrote the soundtrack for several versions of the product. In the total album – 4 disks with 53 songs.
Of course, the release of the product took place a long time ago, but it is the music, the unique atmosphere that makes fans of the series to come here again and again.
Epic battle songs with folklore motifs and soothing ambient immediately return to the nostalgic world of the northern province of Tamriel.
5) Voice acting in online casino games
Product developers at online casinos without IDIN https://onlinecasinozonder.nl/idin/ pay attention to the voiceover to create a pleasant atmosphere. Music in the games helps the gamer to tune in to the gameplay, and each action is accompanied by a sound effect (raising the bet, the bonus round, the sound of falling coins when winning).
The melody and sound is not a mandatory option, it can be turned off if desired.