Nice thread, I'd already listened to Jeremy Soule's music and also the CATA musical themes (loved the elf class theme and changed Stormwind theme), they have some great themes.
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums: Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
Just read through the thread, so many fine game music examples that it inspired me to re-post some of my MMO favorites:
1. AoC, Cimmeria region, simply unbeatable => see here, The Dreaming, Nighttime through the Eiglophian Mountains and Memories of Cimmeria, those 3 still can give me chills when I hear them, they capture perfectly the atmosphere in those harsh, snow filled mountain regions when you journey through them ingame.
The composer's musical themes for the Cimmerian region combined with the angelic voice from Helene Boksle was an ideal mix
2. Everquest, Kelethin, the theme song of that area still haunts me whenever I hear it, even if it has become outdated after 10 years. I liked it in EQ (Kelethin) and I liked it in EQ2 (Kelethin in EQ2)
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums: Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
er, well, that's a tough one. I'm trained in writing "classical music".
I would say that jeremy soule's has simpler textures (from what I can recall) but some of the other game music I've heard is very good and probably on par. I won't say what I think is "bad" music because I have no interest in putting down what someone else likes.
However, the music of WoW and the music of Mr. Soule are pretty much in the same ballpark. I think they are tryjng to accomplish slightly different things. I hear some of the wow scores and they have more lines going on at once in order to fill out the, to use a term, "sonic space" whereas Jeremy Soule's pieces definitely favor bringing out certain melodic lines.
Just off the top of my head as I have been playing a lot of oblivion lately and so the music is fresh in my head.
I do think there is some atrocious game music out there. However, I say that from a technical standpoint. If a person likes it then there really is no reason to listen to me if I point out that some of these more "poor" pieces seem to be very limited harmonically and I even think there are a few pieces that have very repetitive I, IV, V progressons with the melodic lines just sort of "doodling" over those harmonies.
Of course, most if not all of this music is extremlely tonal so there are going to be very strong tonic ( I ) and Dominant (V) relationships.
This is not to say that they all have to adopt heighened chromaticism of Mahler or Wagner or completely lose their tether to harmony by adopting a 12 tone or Aleatoric construction.
but there are a few games that have music that sounds like highly sugared bubble gum.
My teeth hurt every time I hear it.
Awesome reading your views, I'm something of a self-confessed ignoramus when it comes to music.
Well that's the thing, stuff like that IS very good because it fits the subject matter and it accomplishes what its' tryign to do.
As I try to say to my friends, not every highly technical piece of music is going to be desirable while riding down the road on a summer day with the top down.
That thing has 3 chords. If my guitar is actully in tune then it's something like b flat minor, Db major, Ab major and then it clearly comes back to rest on b flat minor. Yet it's fun and it works.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
I declare a THREAD REZ!!! (Or "revive" for you fellow GW2 fans!)
If you really want to see all the other MMOs get crushed by GW2 in the music department, then A-Net needs to have Jeremy Soule join forces with Two Steps from Hell in making GW2's game music. After the dust clears, there will be no more challengers left.
If you don't know who Two Steps from Hell is....its time to get educated, my Brethren (and Sisteren). They just might be the kings and queens of Epic music, which is why movie and videogame makers pay them TONS of money for their music. Listen to a few of their songs and i think you'll recognize some of your most cherished movies and videogames from it.
Man, I really wish that A-Net would use their talents alongside Jeremy's Soule's in creating the game's music. That alone would almost be enough to make me buy the game.
If you want to do some research on these guys, listen to some of their songs on youtube, or look them up on their Website.
Next runner up: Hans Zimmer (almost equally epic, and even more versatile)
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters." Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
I declare a THREAD REZ!!! (Or "revive" for you fellow GW2 fans!)
If you really want to see all the other MMOs get crushed by GW2 in the music department, then A-Net needs to have Jeremy Soule join forces with Two Steps from Hell in making GW2's game music. After the dust clears, there will be no more challengers left.
If you don't know who Two Steps from Hell is....its time to get educated, my Brethren (and Sisteren). They just might be the kings and queens of Epic music, which is why movie and videogame makers pay them TONS of money for their music. Listen to a few of their songs and i think you'll recognize some of your most cherished movies and videogames from it.
Heh, I got to know Two Steps from Hell from the phenomenal Mass Effect 2 trailer where their 'Heart of Courage' song is used; see here for that trailer.
In my opinion, one of the best combinations of game scenes and music I've seen in a trailer (on par with Gears of War's 'Mad World' trailer)
Personally, I liked 'Hello World', 'Eria', 'Intoxication' and 'Frogotten September' of their songs.
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums: Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
I honestly didn't know WoW music was so good, since I've never played it for an extended period of time. Those are some incredible soundtracks.
I think the difference between the GW and WoW music is that I think GW does a better job of being in the background and setting the scene, providing a simple base to play on. WoW seemed to me to be more complex and stand out more.
Music can make or break a game. In Vanguard’s case it broke the deal. In less than a week I could no longer handle the headaches it caused, exited the game as yet another migraine was starting, uninstalled and those migraines never came back..
Concerning WoW, I played a little. I think I got to level 10 before I gave up the game. The music that I heard however was neither memorable or notable to me, it was utterly forgettable. It was just there like the background wine of a highway a couple of miles away.
The music of Guild Wars is a very different story. Not that every track is great, there are however three or four tracks from each chapter that stand alone as both memorable and notable. Across all the games I have ever played there are a few tracks that stand out, like ZoZo, the title to Nightfall and Factions, Claiming Balthazar’s Favor (Eye of the North), Droknar’s Forge and Over the Shiverpeaks to name just a few.
One of the first things that I do in any MMORPG is to turn the music off. I've never found any of the music to be anything other than a distraction. I much prefer to stream my own music while playing.
I miss the MMORPG genre. Will a developer ever make one again?
One of the first things that I do in any MMORPG is to turn the music off. I've never found any of the music to be anything other than a distraction. I much prefer to stream my own music while playing.
I can agree some music in games can be a distraction, but for the most part it serves a very important purpose in immersing you in the world, the lore, and even telling you what to think of surtain areas. Like when you enter a cave, if your hearing creepy music you can insinuate there are going to be enemys to fight and such, and even if there isnt, it gives you a sence of fear that puts you on alert for danger.
I guess its personal opinion, so sorry if it sounded like I was trolling you.
Guild Wars was one of the few online games where I liked the ingame music. Most of the times I turn music off in games. Especially in MMOs.
I dont see why Jeremy Soule's music has to be compared to WoW. GW2 and WoW dont even use the same payment model. Two friends of mine who are still hooked on WoW, will buy GW2 even if they keep playing WoW. If only for the events lol.
Guild Wars was one of the few online games where I liked the ingame music. Most of the times I turn music off in games. Especially in MMOs.
I dont see why Jeremy Soule's music has to be compared to WoW. GW2 and WoW dont even use the same payment model. Two friends of mine who are still hooked on WoW, will buy GW2 even if they keep playing WoW. If only for the events lol.
I don't see the logic. What does WoW and GW2's payment models have to do with comparing their music?
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters." Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
Music can make or break a game. In Vanguard’s case it broke the deal. In less than a week I could no longer handle the headaches it caused, exited the game as yet another migraine was starting, uninstalled and those migraines never came back..
Concerning WoW, I played a little. I think I got to level 10 before I gave up the game. The music that I heard however was neither memorable or notable to me, it was utterly forgettable. It was just there like the background wine of a highway a couple of miles away.
The music of Guild Wars is a very different story. Not that every track is great, there are however three or four tracks from each chapter that stand alone as both memorable and notable. Across all the games I have ever played there are a few tracks that stand out, like ZoZo, the title to Nightfall and Factions, Claiming Balthazar’s Favor (Eye of the North), Droknar’s Forge and Over the Shiverpeaks to name just a few.
Nothing notable or memorable in WoW? Utterly forgettable? Yet you felt the exact opposite about the music in Guild Wars? Either you have very specific preferences in music styles, or I"m suspicious of a little bias towards GW here. But its your opinion, so I respect it.
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters." Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
This thread is for you fantasy music lovers. You know, the kind of people that can still remember and hum/whistle tunes from RPGs that you haven't played in years (FF7 or Secret of Mana, anyone?). For these people, it just takes a quick reminder of one of these songs to put you in one of those nostalgic moods, and wisk you back into your past years of gaming...
Okay guys, say whatever the heck you want about WoW, its mechanics, its art, the grinding...whatever. One thing that nobody can diss is its sountrack. Its put together by a team of composers who know what they are doing. If you have never played WoW, and know nothing about how good they do music, then take a quick stop by this thread here (upcoming music updates for the Cataclysm expansion:
Epic right? After I listened to these songs, I was reminded of why I respected Blizzard's soundrack capabilities. It then led me to wondering if GW2's soundtrack will be able to pose a real challenge to WoW's music. I mean, its obvious that A-Net's art, dynamic event system, personal stories, dungeons, and gameplay mechanics are really going to give Blizzard a run for its money, so to speak (and I didn't say WoW killer, so chill out), but what about the music?
For those of you who may share my concerns, I suggest you look at the name JEREMY SOULE. Look at this man's track record for video game and movie soundtracks. This guy knows what he is doing too. Heck, he's doin the soundtrack for Duke Nukem Forever! And he's the dude who composed the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe title theme. Also, for you Oblivion and Morrowind lovers...yeah...that was him too. This is the guy who did the GW soundtrack, and he's doing the GW2 soundtrack too!! WHOOHOO!!!!
If someone wants an idea of the type of music that we are likely to expect in-game, in addition to the video's we've posted, take a look at these two concept art slideshows. This is probably just a snippet of what we will hear. The music seems pretty good!
I disagree with your assumption that "One thing that nobody can diss is its sountrack". Since it is music, it can be compared to any other music that has been created throughout history. In my mind, the music in the thread you linked to
does not have any "omg this sounds so nice"-factor compared to other music I have heard throughout my years. I do not consider any of those music pieces to be anything I would write home about. I will though admit that I can listen to most of those pieces without feeling a need to amputate my ears.
So what do I consider to be music I really enjoy and consider to be very beautiful? Well, here are a few examples with links (in no particular order):
* Adagio for Strings-Barber
* Vivaldi_Winter_Mov1 (Allegro non Molto)
* Asturias - Isaac Albeniz
*Concerto Guitar - Rodrigo De Aranjuez
* Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Symphony No. 25 in G minor
The most memorable music I've heard in a mmo is the song of elune in Teldrassil. I remember the first time playing there, that music gave me the shivers. It fitted perfectly with the atmosphere of the zone. The whole setting that the landscape, architecture and music created was amazing. A good mmo world needs good art. Gameplay is not enough.
This thread is for you fantasy music lovers. You know, the kind of people that can still remember and hum/whistle tunes from RPGs that you haven't played in years (FF7 or Secret of Mana, anyone?). For these people, it just takes a quick reminder of one of these songs to put you in one of those nostalgic moods, and wisk you back into your past years of gaming...
Okay guys, say whatever the heck you want about WoW, its mechanics, its art, the grinding...whatever. One thing that nobody can diss is its sountrack. Its put together by a team of composers who know what they are doing. If you have never played WoW, and know nothing about how good they do music, then take a quick stop by this thread here (upcoming music updates for the Cataclysm expansion:
Epic right? After I listened to these songs, I was reminded of why I respected Blizzard's soundrack capabilities. It then led me to wondering if GW2's soundtrack will be able to pose a real challenge to WoW's music. I mean, its obvious that A-Net's art, dynamic event system, personal stories, dungeons, and gameplay mechanics are really going to give Blizzard a run for its money, so to speak (and I didn't say WoW killer, so chill out), but what about the music?
For those of you who may share my concerns, I suggest you look at the name JEREMY SOULE. Look at this man's track record for video game and movie soundtracks. This guy knows what he is doing too. Heck, he's doin the soundtrack for Duke Nukem Forever! And he's the dude who composed the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe title theme. Also, for you Oblivion and Morrowind lovers...yeah...that was him too. This is the guy who did the GW soundtrack, and he's doing the GW2 soundtrack too!! WHOOHOO!!!!
If someone wants an idea of the type of music that we are likely to expect in-game, in addition to the video's we've posted, take a look at these two concept art slideshows. This is probably just a snippet of what we will hear. The music seems pretty good!
I disagree with your assumption that "One thing that nobody can diss is its sountrack". Since it is music, it can be compared to any other music that has been created throughout history. In my mind, the music in the thread you linked to
does not have any "omg this sounds so nice"-factor compared to other music I have heard throughout my years. I do not consider any of those music pieces to be anything I would write home about. I will though admit that I can listen to most of those pieces without feeling a need to amputate my ears.
So what do I consider to be music I really enjoy and consider to be very beautiful? Well, here are a few examples with links (in no particular order):
* Adagio for Strings-Barber
* Vivaldi_Winter_Mov1 (Allegro non Molto)
* Asturias - Isaac Albeniz
*Concerto Guitar - Rodrigo De Aranjuez
* Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Symphony No. 25 in G minor
*Giazotto - Adagio
I respect your disagreement, as you have the right to your opinion. And each one of the songs you posted are absolutely gorgeous. I've heard each and everyone of them before. To just say that they are beautiful compositions would nearly be an understatement.
I think your disagreement is tied more towards your preference in style and complexity than it is to beauty. I think all of the songs you posted are wonderful, but I also think the songs that I posted are just as beautiful. It just depends on what type of fantasy world you are shooting for, and each of the songs that you posted spurns my imagination of a particular fantasy realm to match that specific song.
I think fantasy music is best executed when its composed in such a way that it drives or produces a certain feeling or atmosphere. Or maybe just to support and carry along the feeling that has already been produced by the other senses (sight, smell, etc). I think that the WoW composers do an excellent job in that department. If you've seen the environments or backgrounds that go which each song, you'll see what I'm trying to communicate here. Even Jeremy Soule knows how to nail it hard in this area. When you play Oblivion or Morrowind, the music doesn't interrupt the fantasy....it pulls you further into it. This is why I'm happy to see Jeremy Soule do the GW2 soundtrack. He seems to catch this point.
Great post, indeed. I really enjoyed the music!
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters." Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
The most memorable music I've heard in a mmo is the song of elune in Teldrassil. I remember the first time playing there, that music gave me the shivers. It fitted perfectly with the atmosphere of the zone. The whole setting that the landscape, architecture and music created was amazing. A good mmo world needs good art. Gameplay is not enough.
Yeah, gotta love the Night Elf starting area. It was so different than the other areas of the game in both visuals and sound. I hated that it was so far from the rest of civilization. I wanted everyone else to have easy access to its beauty. Poor empty Darnassus...
Beautiful song...
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters." Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
I love GW music, WoW music, FF music, EQ2 music, Aion, etc. all in their own way just like I love to listen to different music styles like country, christian, rock, classical, movie scores etc. Each has their own draw and none is "better" than the other except in terms of execution. Meaning, when I'm playing a game when the music plays and how much orchestra is used as opposed to hearing midi tune thrown at me is crucial.
Grizzly Hills music is a step above the rest due to using some unique instruments. I find Jeremy Soules music good but more relaxing in nature where as many pieces from WoW make me want to fight. For example the music in Blade's Edge Mountains in Burning Crusade. That music just gets me moving. Its all good though, I love classical music as a whole from movies to tv to games to the old stuff. Keep it coming, devs.
This is actually a really interesting thread. Music and composition in games is really easy to just keep in the background of your mind. Or maybe you dont even listen to it because you keep your volume low. But the ambiance that certain composers can provide in a game really does help it feel so much more immersive. For a game like Guild Wars 2 that focuses on its rich story to pull you in I think that its great that they have a good team to work on the music. Also I loved watching the videos just because of the artistic eye candy in them as much as the beautiful background music.
I love GW music, WoW music, FF music, EQ2 music, Aion, etc. all in their own way just like I love to listen to different music styles like country, christian, rock, classical, movie scores etc. Each has their own draw and none is "better" than the other except in terms of execution. Meaning, when I'm playing a game when the music plays and how much orchestra is used as opposed to hearing midi tune thrown at me is crucial.
Grizzly Hills music is a step above the rest due to using some unique instruments. I find Jeremy Soules music good but more relaxing in nature where as many pieces from WoW make me want to fight. For example the music in Blade's Edge Mountains in Burning Crusade. That music just gets me moving. Its all good though, I love classical music as a whole from movies to tv to games to the old stuff. Keep it coming, devs.
Yeah, WoW's music has a way of making you really want to go to war, or do some serious exploring and adventuring.
But I like how you pointed out how we are not satisifed with the simple Midi Tunes anymore. Give my my orchestras and choirs in the background. Give it the same quality that you would devote to a movie. Thats what I want.
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters." Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
Comments
Nice thread, I'd already listened to Jeremy Soule's music and also the CATA musical themes (loved the elf class theme and changed Stormwind theme), they have some great themes.
The ACTUAL size of MMORPG worlds: a comparison list between MMO's
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums:
Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
Just read through the thread, so many fine game music examples that it inspired me to re-post some of my MMO favorites:
1. AoC, Cimmeria region, simply unbeatable => see here, The Dreaming, Nighttime through the Eiglophian Mountains and Memories of Cimmeria, those 3 still can give me chills when I hear them, they capture perfectly the atmosphere in those harsh, snow filled mountain regions when you journey through them ingame.
The composer's musical themes for the Cimmerian region combined with the angelic voice from Helene Boksle was an ideal mix
2. Everquest, Kelethin, the theme song of that area still haunts me whenever I hear it, even if it has become outdated after 10 years. I liked it in EQ (Kelethin) and I liked it in EQ2 (Kelethin in EQ2)
3. Guild Wars (very beautiful Pre-Searing Ascalon tribute, music by Jeremy Soule), World of Warcraft (the majestic Stormwind theme and the ethereal Song of Elune)
Great music in game can really help immerse you even more into its world, I love it when the composer hit the atmosphere of an environment just right.
The ACTUAL size of MMORPG worlds: a comparison list between MMO's
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums:
Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
Well that's the thing, stuff like that IS very good because it fits the subject matter and it accomplishes what its' tryign to do.
As I try to say to my friends, not every highly technical piece of music is going to be desirable while riding down the road on a summer day with the top down.
That thing has 3 chords. If my guitar is actully in tune then it's something like b flat minor, Db major, Ab major and then it clearly comes back to rest on b flat minor. Yet it's fun and it works.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
I declare a THREAD REZ!!! (Or "revive" for you fellow GW2 fans!)
If you really want to see all the other MMOs get crushed by GW2 in the music department, then A-Net needs to have Jeremy Soule join forces with Two Steps from Hell in making GW2's game music. After the dust clears, there will be no more challengers left.
If you don't know who Two Steps from Hell is....its time to get educated, my Brethren (and Sisteren). They just might be the kings and queens of Epic music, which is why movie and videogame makers pay them TONS of money for their music. Listen to a few of their songs and i think you'll recognize some of your most cherished movies and videogames from it.
Man, I really wish that A-Net would use their talents alongside Jeremy's Soule's in creating the game's music. That alone would almost be enough to make me buy the game.
If you want to do some research on these guys, listen to some of their songs on youtube, or look them up on their Website.
Next runner up: Hans Zimmer (almost equally epic, and even more versatile)
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters."
Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
Heh, I got to know Two Steps from Hell from the phenomenal Mass Effect 2 trailer where their 'Heart of Courage' song is used; see here for that trailer.
In my opinion, one of the best combinations of game scenes and music I've seen in a trailer (on par with Gears of War's 'Mad World' trailer)
Personally, I liked 'Hello World', 'Eria', 'Intoxication' and 'Frogotten September' of their songs.
Good choice, great band yes
The ACTUAL size of MMORPG worlds: a comparison list between MMO's
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums:
Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
I honestly didn't know WoW music was so good, since I've never played it for an extended period of time. Those are some incredible soundtracks.
I think the difference between the GW and WoW music is that I think GW does a better job of being in the background and setting the scene, providing a simple base to play on. WoW seemed to me to be more complex and stand out more.
Disagreement Heirarchy
Dream Fall: The Hospital Room
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jootxdBswTU&feature=related
The game both begins and ends with this song. Probably one of the most memorable songs from a game I can remember.
Music can make or break a game. In Vanguard’s case it broke the deal. In less than a week I could no longer handle the headaches it caused, exited the game as yet another migraine was starting, uninstalled and those migraines never came back..
Concerning WoW, I played a little. I think I got to level 10 before I gave up the game. The music that I heard however was neither memorable or notable to me, it was utterly forgettable. It was just there like the background wine of a highway a couple of miles away.
The music of Guild Wars is a very different story. Not that every track is great, there are however three or four tracks from each chapter that stand alone as both memorable and notable. Across all the games I have ever played there are a few tracks that stand out, like ZoZo, the title to Nightfall and Factions, Claiming Balthazar’s Favor (Eye of the North), Droknar’s Forge and Over the Shiverpeaks to name just a few.
One of the first things that I do in any MMORPG is to turn the music off. I've never found any of the music to be anything other than a distraction. I much prefer to stream my own music while playing.
I miss the MMORPG genre. Will a developer ever make one again?
Explorer: 87%, Killer: 67%, Achiever: 27%, Socializer: 20%
I can agree some music in games can be a distraction, but for the most part it serves a very important purpose in immersing you in the world, the lore, and even telling you what to think of surtain areas. Like when you enter a cave, if your hearing creepy music you can insinuate there are going to be enemys to fight and such, and even if there isnt, it gives you a sence of fear that puts you on alert for danger.
I guess its personal opinion, so sorry if it sounded like I was trolling you.
Guild Wars was one of the few online games where I liked the ingame music. Most of the times I turn music off in games. Especially in MMOs.
I dont see why Jeremy Soule's music has to be compared to WoW. GW2 and WoW dont even use the same payment model. Two friends of mine who are still hooked on WoW, will buy GW2 even if they keep playing WoW. If only for the events lol.
I don't see the logic. What does WoW and GW2's payment models have to do with comparing their music?
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters."
Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
Nothing notable or memorable in WoW? Utterly forgettable? Yet you felt the exact opposite about the music in Guild Wars? Either you have very specific preferences in music styles, or I"m suspicious of a little bias towards GW here. But its your opinion, so I respect it.
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters."
Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
I disagree with your assumption that "One thing that nobody can diss is its sountrack". Since it is music, it can be compared to any other music that has been created throughout history. In my mind, the music in the thread you linked to
"http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/3801754/thread/290509#3801754"
does not have any "omg this sounds so nice"-factor compared to other music I have heard throughout my years. I do not consider any of those music pieces to be anything I would write home about. I will though admit that I can listen to most of those pieces without feeling a need to amputate my ears.
So what do I consider to be music I really enjoy and consider to be very beautiful? Well, here are a few examples with links (in no particular order):
* Adagio for Strings-Barber
* Vivaldi_Winter_Mov1 (Allegro non Molto)
* Asturias - Isaac Albeniz
*Concerto Guitar - Rodrigo De Aranjuez
* Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Symphony No. 25 in G minor
*Giazotto - Adagio
The most memorable music I've heard in a mmo is the song of elune in Teldrassil. I remember the first time playing there, that music gave me the shivers. It fitted perfectly with the atmosphere of the zone. The whole setting that the landscape, architecture and music created was amazing. A good mmo world needs good art. Gameplay is not enough.
I respect your disagreement, as you have the right to your opinion. And each one of the songs you posted are absolutely gorgeous. I've heard each and everyone of them before. To just say that they are beautiful compositions would nearly be an understatement.
I think your disagreement is tied more towards your preference in style and complexity than it is to beauty. I think all of the songs you posted are wonderful, but I also think the songs that I posted are just as beautiful. It just depends on what type of fantasy world you are shooting for, and each of the songs that you posted spurns my imagination of a particular fantasy realm to match that specific song.
I think fantasy music is best executed when its composed in such a way that it drives or produces a certain feeling or atmosphere. Or maybe just to support and carry along the feeling that has already been produced by the other senses (sight, smell, etc). I think that the WoW composers do an excellent job in that department. If you've seen the environments or backgrounds that go which each song, you'll see what I'm trying to communicate here. Even Jeremy Soule knows how to nail it hard in this area. When you play Oblivion or Morrowind, the music doesn't interrupt the fantasy....it pulls you further into it. This is why I'm happy to see Jeremy Soule do the GW2 soundtrack. He seems to catch this point.
Great post, indeed. I really enjoyed the music!
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters."
Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
Yeah, gotta love the Night Elf starting area. It was so different than the other areas of the game in both visuals and sound. I hated that it was so far from the rest of civilization. I wanted everyone else to have easy access to its beauty. Poor empty Darnassus...
Beautiful song...
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters."
Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-
I love GW music, WoW music, FF music, EQ2 music, Aion, etc. all in their own way just like I love to listen to different music styles like country, christian, rock, classical, movie scores etc. Each has their own draw and none is "better" than the other except in terms of execution. Meaning, when I'm playing a game when the music plays and how much orchestra is used as opposed to hearing midi tune thrown at me is crucial.
Grizzly Hills music is a step above the rest due to using some unique instruments. I find Jeremy Soules music good but more relaxing in nature where as many pieces from WoW make me want to fight. For example the music in Blade's Edge Mountains in Burning Crusade. That music just gets me moving. Its all good though, I love classical music as a whole from movies to tv to games to the old stuff. Keep it coming, devs.
This is actually a really interesting thread. Music and composition in games is really easy to just keep in the background of your mind. Or maybe you dont even listen to it because you keep your volume low. But the ambiance that certain composers can provide in a game really does help it feel so much more immersive. For a game like Guild Wars 2 that focuses on its rich story to pull you in I think that its great that they have a good team to work on the music. Also I loved watching the videos just because of the artistic eye candy in them as much as the beautiful background music.
Yeah, WoW's music has a way of making you really want to go to war, or do some serious exploring and adventuring.
But I like how you pointed out how we are not satisifed with the simple Midi Tunes anymore. Give my my orchestras and choirs in the background. Give it the same quality that you would devote to a movie. Thats what I want.
"Everyone dies. It is how one lives that matters."
Artemis Entreri (R.A. Salvatore)
"P.S. MAKE NO DEALS WITH THE WOLF." -Durzo Blint-
"But, there is one they fear.
In their tongue, he is Dovahkiin -- Dragonborn!" -Game of the Century-