Music in SE IV

[Erax]

OK, everyone hang on 'cause I'm going to... agree with Fyron !!

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' ?

[dogscoff]

slightly OT from the post but does anyone actually like music in games? I think the only thing worse is music on web pages.

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)

[Fyron]

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

Yes.

[Raging Deadstar]

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

[DavidG]

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.

[Taera]

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 but i have all warcraft II music in midi on my pc, i even ocassionaly put it on... (rarely tho).