Music in SE IV
 

I'm sure this has been asked before. I think I even read the answer.

But here goes : is there a way to make SEIV play midi or mp3 files off the HD ? Or does it only play audio tracks on a CD ?

[ May 29, 2003, 17:30: Message edited by: Chief Engineer Erax ]

Re: Music in SE IV
 

If that's the case, you could burn an audio CD with the tracks you want on it.

Re: Music in SE IV
 

Se4 only plays audio tracks on CDs. You can always just play the files in a media player such as WinAmp or Windows Media Player (which sucks, but thats another issue http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ) in the background. Multitasking is great! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Music in SE IV
 

It would have been nice to make different soundtracks for different games. I can still do that on Winamp or midi player, but it would have been nicer to have it all in-game. Oh well.

Re: Music in SE IV
 

Send a suggestion to MM. Who knows, it might even get into SE5! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Music in SE IV
 

Ya, though I often wonder about game music. Seems like people have pretty varied tastes, computers can play whatever music the user likes, as can stereos (which don't waste resources that could be doing game stuff).

On the other hand, there are a few games with music that seems to really help. But only a few. I think I'd usually rather the dev resources went towards game improvements, unless there is something really worthwhile to do with the music.

PvK

Re: Music in SE IV
 

slightly OT from the post but does anyone actually like music in games? I think the only thing worse is music on web pages. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif
I think the only game I've played were the music really enhanced it was System Shock 2. They really made good use of it there.

Re: Music in SE IV
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't know, the music in Dungeon Oddessy is pretty appropriate (and catchy!).

For the most part though i'll turn off the in-game music and run Winamp in the background (as Fyron mentioned).

Re: Music in SE IV
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Role-playing game musics are usually good; Chrono Trigger and the Final Fantasy series games all had good and fitting music.

Re: Music in SE IV
 

the only game i've seen that had awesome music was "Populous 3: The Beginning". Awesome.

as for the rest, i usually listen to the music for a week or less, then plug in my own music - i have a nice line-in setup with my cd walkman http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Music in SE IV
 

The only game I don't play the music in is SE4, and that is mostly because the game does not require the CD to be in the drive to run, so I never have it in there. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif The music in a game helps to create the atmopshere of the game. To me, it is an often integral part of the game. Not something that makes or breaks a game, of course. But it does make the game more enjoyable when it has good music in it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Music in SE IV
 

i tune it out. even the lemmengs music. it becomes background.

Re: Music in SE IV
 

OK, everyone hang on 'cause I'm going to... agree with Fyron !! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Music does not make or break a game, but it certainly enhnces it. Here's a few good examples :

- The Settlers III (Asian theme) - nice and soothing, helps me concentrate.

- Doom 1 and 2 - I downloaded all the midi files for them the other day. I can still recall a game level just by listening to its track (most of them anyway). Although when I was feeling really stressed out I'd play Doom listening to the Ramones.

- Fantasy General - Excellent track, very soothing, I used to listen to it on my stereo while reading (my wife liked it too).

- Emperor of the Fading Suns - Not so good as Fantasy General, but nice.

- SE IV - I lent my CD to a friend (to see if I could get him hooked) and now I miss the music.

- Some game whose name I can't remeber - you fly around a wireframe cylinder, shooting stuff that tries to climb out - I actually quit playing this after it stopped playing the soundtrack (when I converted to W95, I think).

Fyron, what's the best way to send Malfador a suggestion for SE V ? Go to their site and click on 'contacts' ?

Re: Music in SE IV
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah, hate webpage music (usually). General midi stuff without exception.

As for game music... depends on the game. faster paced games can really be made by the soundtrack. Don't believe me? some examples:
-The WipeOut series with stomping adrenalin tracks by ppl like chemical Bros/ FSOL/ Orbital/ Prodigy. I bet you could run a scientific test on that game and find that ppl who play with the music turned off don't do nearly so well as those who play with it on.
-SSX Tricky - beautifully stylish snowboarding game with music by Run DMC (I think). You just can't play it quiet, it is so incredibly catchy, and the music is part of the UI system as well- changes in the music signify certain game events so you don't have to be distracted by visual displays.
-Any game by bullfrog, who are masters at drawing the player into the game world. Anyone remember the original populous, with the wierd whale music and that heartbeat that got faster and faster until your own heart started to mimic it? Also, syndicate was cool, with context-sensitive music that got more dramatic as the danger mounted. Really atmospheric.
-About a zillion other old Amiga games I can't be bothered to list. (Except Xenon II megabLast! - I have to mention that one)

Re: Music in SE IV
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes.

Re: Music in SE IV
 

I agree, i've started a sci-fi crossover mod game and playing as the Empire. So i borrowed my friends star wars soundtracks and it really adds something to the game compared to playing other music. I guess it's like now a proper star wars expirience http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Music in SE IV
 

Clearly there are a few games that use music well. But music can certainly 'break' a game. I recall an F1 racing game were the #$%$#% music could not be turned off unless all sound effects were off. And for a good F1 game you've got to have those engine noises cranked up. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Music in SE IV
 

okies now ill agree, my memory is refreshed and games like Settlers III and IV and Warcraft II (DAMNIT THIS MUSIC ROCKS) and many more realy enchance the game. and yes, it cannot break the game - as you can easily turn it off.

still, after a while i turn the music down and plug in something of mine - for example Warcraft II is forever associated with Abba in my memory http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif but i have all warcraft II music in midi on my pc, i even ocassionaly put it on... (rarely tho).