Game Music

Question 1

What was early video game music like?

Answer 1

Very simple - or not played throughout the game

Question 2

As technology developed…

So now recent game music is…

Answer 2

The music developed.

More like a film score.

Question 3

Give 2 game music composers that also worked on film music

Answer 3

Hans Zimmer (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 & Gladiator and Batman Begins)
Harry Gregson-Williams (Metal Gear Solid & Shrek and Martian)

Question 4

What is the main feature of game music?

Answer 4

Motifs which are developed to reflect the changing actions.

Question 5

Give some ways of how motifs are changed

Answer 5

Sequencing -
Inversion (chord) - Using a chord in a position other than its root position
Retrograde - Version of a tune where the composer takes all the notes and puts them in reverse order
Augmentation - Increasing the length of notes to make the music sound slower
Diminution - Shortening the length of the notes to make it sound quicker

Question 6

How does the texture influence the music?

Answer 6

It can show how the story is progressing. It may start sparse and slow moving, then the texture builds becoming richer as the situation builds to a climax

Question 7

Give 3 examples of videogames that have full soundtracks

Answer 7

Assassin’s Creed
Halo
Advent Rising

Question 8

What musical technique from film music is also used in game music to represent particular places, characters or events?

Answer 8

Leitmotif

Question 9

What can be used to create a sense of urgency or uncertainty?

Answer 9

Polyrhythms, cross-rhythms and syncopation

They can represent chases or tense scenes, making the player unsettled