The Importance of Music

[Gibber]

I think that the score to any good game is just as important as the score to a good movie. It adds to the sense of involvement and immersion in the game. I think that the noticable difference between MIDI and real sound only matters in certain situations. If I was playing a 2-D or 16-bit game a fully orchestrated sound track would sound over done to me... perhaps that's just an effect of familiarity but it wouldn't quite be right. As far as the graphics vs. music question, I think that has a lot to do with the situation I mentioned. If the game had average or worse graphics, a full scale sound-track might seem a bit much.

[Jeremy]

Music is one of the most important aspects of a game. It can make a bad game good, and can add a very unique feel to a game. Crazy Taxi made fantastic use of its' soundtrack, and it really added to the feel of each of the games. The Xbox's ability to let players make their own soundtracks for some games definitely gives the player more control over things, which I'm a fan of. I just hope it doesn't lead to developers using it as an excuse to make poor music for games.

[Clash!]

Originally posted by Jeremy
It can make a bad game good

No it can't. I don't see how you can feel that way. If you are just playing the game to listen to the music why not just get the soundtrack or download the songs off the internet. Last time I checked you PLAY video games.

[MechDeus]

Originally posted by sleeveboy
I would have liked Sephiroth's theme at the end of FFVII more if the chorus was chanting words from a real language rather than gibberish.

Since when is Latin not a real language? That said, I loved One-Winged Angel and still do, but it would be blind stupidity to say I wouldn't prefer a full orchestra doing it.

I can't remember, did Liberi Fatali have orchestral or midi?

[MVS]

0.

Though, a good one will get listened to, most are just turned off ASAP.

[DarkCrow676]

FF7 has the most amzing soundtrack ever. If I could find the 4 disc music cds i would snatch'em in a second. Nothing comes close to FF7.

[sleeve]

Originally posted by MechDeus
Since when is Latin not a real language? That said, I loved One-Winged Angel and still do, but it would be blind stupidity to say I wouldn't prefer a full orchestra doing it.

I never said it wasn't. Was it really Latin? If so, I stand corrected and could you link me to the lyrics if possible?

FF7 has the most amzing soundtrack ever. If I could find the 4 disc music cds i would snatch'em in a second. Nothing comes close to FF7.

Have you been keeping up with this thread?

[MechDeus]

No prob. Check this one.

All the lyrics were double lines ripped from Carmina Burana with "Sephiroth" tossed in as the refrain. Search through here to see the lines in context (it's best to do use the Find command).

[epmode]

Originally posted by MechDeus
I can't remember, did Liberi Fatali have orchestral or midi?

full orchestra. the ending theme was also fully orchestrated.

[gameoverDude]

Here's one example of why BGM can be good. The boss theme in Raiden has an ominous sounding intro timed to hit slightly before the appearance of the boss, then it takes on a chaotic, urgent tempo at the time the boss starts to attack.

A great game has more kick to it when the BGM is well done. MIDI is fine with me as long as the tracks are well-composed... Raiden Fighters 2, Light Bringer, Soukyugurentai (the CD access light doesn't blink during a level... yup, the Saturn sound processor itself is churning out the soundtrack), and RayForce put it to good use.

Originally posted by Chibi Nappa
Well...ummm... You just go on playing your games without music then. Maybe I'll start playing mine with the TV turned off to eliminate those annoying graphics.

Well said. Going without BGM would be like playing Layer Section in horizontal screen mode to eliminate the special effects.