On The Quality Of Licensed Game Soundtracks

Thanks to GameSpot for their 'GameSpotting' editorial discussing the correct blend of licensed music for videogame soundtracks. The writer argues that "there isn't anything inherently bad" in using licensed music, but suggests: "Whether you produce your own music or use existing music for your soundtrack, thematic consistency is of the utmost importance." He then picks Wipeout XL ("[changed] how people perceived music in video games") and the more recent True Crime ("a well-made licensed soundtrack") as good examples of this, before singling out the EA Sports Trax program, as used in Madden 2004 and others, as "destined to fail - 'cus you can't make a good soundtrack out of singles." Do you have a favorite licensed soundtrack, or is the whole concept a concern to you?

Comments

I've noticed

[hookedup]

a recent upserge in video game soundtrack popularity. There are even a couple of winamp streams out there playing them. ALT + L in winamp, under 'Internet Radio' there will be a couple. Also, check out Shoutcast for streams. Last time I tuned it, they are streaming some final fantasy tracks.

Re:I've noticed

[devnull17]

It's been around for a long time. There's a whole Internet subculture dedicated to remixing video game tracks (as well as at least one commercial effort), and a few composers (Nobuo Uematsu [Everything Final Fantasy that has a number other than XI after it] and Yasunori Mitsuda [Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Xenogears], namely) have achieved almost cult-like status. It's also customary in Japan to release soundtracks for video games on CD, as is done with movies in America and Europe.