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Games Are the Next MTV?
Gamespot has up an article looking at the possibility, suggested by composer Marc Canham, that videogames may be 'the next MTV'. That is to say, with the popularity of modern videogames bands may be able to make or break their careers based on their contribution to a gaming title. From the article: "The industry needs to be more adventurous when it makes up soundtracks for its games, Canham believes, attesting that this is something he personally tries hard to do. He said: 'Games are quite guilty of placing obvious choices in their licensing. It's such a shame you don't seem to have the support to make brave decisions. Game producers seem to think a game doesn't have a soundtrack unless they have bands like The Killers in it... Or, bizarrely, Limp Bizkit.'"
Does this mean that in a few years we will have to switch to Games 2, and then Games 3 to actually hear music? But won't that be a stop-gap measure because it won't take long after that for them to stop playing "real" music anyway.
My rantings, only longer and with better spelling..
I've often wondered, never heard any logical explanation why there isn't more "exposure" for bands and music with attribution on many levels. It makes sense music exposed anywhere serves to enhance the bands' chance of reaching wider audiences and collaterally ratcheting up their fame and fortune a notch.
But, why video games? I guess, why not? I don't play video games, so I'd never be exposed to that music. I know many who also don't play video games... they won't be reached either.
The video gamers demographic is nothing to sneeze at, but why just there?
The closest thing I've ever seen is recently FOX network (I think it was FOX, it certainly wasn't one of the original "big three") has started attributing bands with titles much like MTV videos. That's a start. And, I've noticed Grey's Anatomoy attributing band credits on one of their trailers. That's a start.
The business model seems completely upside down. I've heard TV shows eschew genuine cuts of real music as in popular mainstream songs from popular bands (hey, gotta start somewhere) because they have to pay royalties and such and they don't want to do that. I think that's wrong... the return on investment should be worth it, but I also think it's wrong bands and artists charge to use their songs (are you listening music industry? -- I assume this is more the RIAA than the artists).
There are few shows today that bother to use real music, but I take note when they do. I don't think Cold Case is the best show on TV, but it ain't bad, and I enjoy watching it with the added spice of real music from different era's (depending on how cold the case is).
The show Alias also used real cuts, real bands... I loved that! They also picked less mainstream cuts finding great music not heard by many... However, they didn't attribute... I actually had to find fan web sites to track down some of the music -- I wanted to buy! (Once again, are you listening RIAA?)
Bands would do well to find shows to use their songs. The exposure on national network TV would be huge and well worth forgoing fees to allow shows to use their work.
That said, more power to the bands, the artists, and the video game industry. It's a start, I only wish the lines were less bright separating popular culture music from popular culture entertainment... it seems odd.
Games becoming like MTV? So that would mean:
Increasingly, less of a game (MTV) involves your input (music) and instead has little parts where you watch some cheesy cinema (sitcom).
Then, those movies (sitcoms) take up more and more of the game (MTV), to the point where it no longer has much of a game (music videos) left.
Then those videos (sitcoms) become increasingly sex- and celebrity-oriented.
Yep, sounds about right.
Apology to Ubuntu forum.
I, like many of you, suffer from problems. My problems don't involve any of your implausible ones, but mine are worth voicing to you in hope of getting some advice.
Anyways, I began to watch Azumanga Daioh about a month ago, and as I dove deeper and deeper into the series, the more and more I fapped to hentai of it. I continued to do so until the last episode. Then I watched the series again... and again... and again... I found myself checking out Osaka every on-screen moment she had. I began to stop going to my regular sites just to look at hentai of one person: Osaka. I eventually had 1000s of pictures and some doujins of Osaka. I began to spend what others called absurd amounts of money on merchandise, and my apartment is coated with Osaka everywhere. I've shut myself off from family and friends and felt an urge to just snuggle with my Osaka dolls. Osaka is all I need. She probably wouldn't like the way my family is or how my friends behave. I'm in love with Osaka. I keep praying that she'll come to see me one day and decide to live with me. I have nothing left to live for but Osaka. I know she can hear me, so I always talk to her telling her to come and visit me so our union can take place. So this is where you guys come into the picture. You're an all-purpose advice board. You definitely must know a way to help Osaka break free from behind her glass prison.
I can only name ONE (western) game that is noted for who did the music, and that is Quake. Are there others? Am I missing something? I have never actualy seen an OST for a western game for that matter.
Yes, who did the music in Japanese games is sometimes a selling point for the game, and you can buy the soundtracks for them. But in a western game? (what is generaly refered to as the "game industry" by use americans after all)
Do Or Do Not, There Is No Spoon, There Is Only Zuul. Everything in the above post is probably opinion.
No, games are not the next MTV.
Curb CO2 emissions: Kill yourself today!
Quite simply, no.
We all like music, we all like bands, but unfortunately for bands who may be interested in making a name for themselves through video games they might as well buy lottery tickets.
Games like Tony Hawk feature many different bands and great talent. I've beaten a good number of games with music straight from bands. Do I have any more idea about these bands when I started? No. In my mind, the music is now associated with the game, not the band even if their name and label are displayed.
Barring people like Nobuo Uematsu who get to do the entire soundtrack for many games, there isn't fame to be had. The video game industry is notorious for doing very little to promote the people who are responsible for its great works. Instead, the studio name gets the credit. There isn't a Will Wright or a Shigeru Miyamoto for WoW or Halo. There's a Blizzard or a Bungie, but can you actually name someone who's in charge of either?
Maybe, in the far future, where not only companies but individuals get some attention bands could get a break through a video game. As it is now, very few people care where the music came from even when it is top notch.
Thunderclone: ONE MAN ENTERS! TWO MEN LEAVE! ONE MAN ENTERS! TWO MEN LEAVE!
in the past 10 years!
Sorry, but it's true.
I work out to the soundtracks of the Burnout 3 Series (takedown, revenge, legends) and Def Jam Fight for NY regularly.
If you can find the soundtrack for any street racing game, they make surprisingly good exercise music since they are all usually upbeat/fast songs.
s/music/games .. non?
This may be a little off topic, but I just wanted to chime in and say that if any TV producers want to see how a show soundtrack should be done, they should look to Freaks and Geeks.
With F&G, the creators picked the songs perfectly... they fit the mood and added to the story, it wasn't just background music.
In fact, it was because of all the songs used that it took a while for it to be released on DVD... they didn't want to release it and remove/change the songs, so it took a lot of work to get permission to use all the songs.
Check out this Wikipedia article to get an idea of the songs used in each episode...
Every time I hear "Ripple" now, there's a part of me that thinks of Lindsay leaving for Dead tour... that's the true sign of a good soundtrack.
Yeah, I'm betting that Beethoven fellow is hoping Civ 4 will make his career...
I'm a HUGE music game fan. I've even picked up a band or two that I listen to because of exposure through games (like Freezepop). The problem as I see it though is the soundtracks. You want a soundtrack for that music game? Good luck, many of the best don't have them (like ANYTHING by Harmonix). Other games may have soundtracks, but they are pathetic (SSX 3 had great music, but the "soundtrack" was just a handful of tracks). The same thing happened in both Jet Set Radio and Jet Set Radio Future.
GTA has done a good job with the soundtracks from what I've seen (since they do seem to include all the music). But many games where the music is good (like music games, again) just don't have soundtracks.
Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
Because "I want my WoW!" doesnt really have the same ring to it...
No sig for the moment.
No. Death first.
..and I enjoyed both the Homeworld these music and the music in Total Annihilation, but most of the time I end up turning the music off. If I'm listening for game events, I don't need the distraction...
Mainframe/UNIX Bit Twiddler and long time Windows/Linux Hobbyist.
The Theorem Theorem: If If, Then Then.
I agree if it's done well. "Freaks and Geeks" did it very well. I liked the episode where the kid has this huge drum kit and he's playing along with "The spirit of radio", and for that moment, in his mind, he IS Neil Peart. Great way to set the mindset of the character.
The best background music is when you hear it, but you don't really notice it. The music fits the mood of the show so seamlessly.
Some shows, particularly Bruckheimer produced shows, really over do it. They use music to get you into feeling a certain way instead of the camera work, writing and acting to do it.
There was an episode of "Magnum PI" I'll never forget because of its use of the Genesis song "Mama". Very creepy.
There are certain games band music is appropriate for, but for many games, you need to design the music around the gameplay.
Lastly I fear a lot of great music composers would loose out to big money and trashy bands, I'd hate to have never been able to experience the music of Nubuo Uematsu of Final fantasy or Yamitsu Mitsuda of Chrono Trigger, Xeno gears, FF Tactics, etc.
I'd also hate to hear typical band stuff in a game like Freespace 2 for instance. Need for speed undeground or racing I can understand because of the natural overlap (listening to music in a car while driving) or a game like Tony hawk or sports games, but for most games I'd rather have the music designed FOR THE GAME, not as some sloppy way to promote bands, pop stars/artists, who's music doesn't fit the style and gameplay of the game.
I can understand some cross over but it should fit the game, not be a sloppy add in. Ideally I prefer composers over bands and "artists".
Some of the best music is GAME MUSIC designed to evoke and convey emotions best suited to what the game is about, i.e. Need for speed porsche unleashed, Final fantasy, Chrono trigger, FF tactics, etc, etc.
All of those games used composers, not typical mass music, and I'm greatful that many game experiences have not yet been ruined in the game industry because of it.
Or should that be Questions are the new statements?
Almost. I for one welcome our G4-game-console-entertainment overlords.
Then, you'll have to switch to "Games Classic" and "Games Europe" to actually play something. The normal cannel will be reserved for cutscenes, previews, final fantasy and developer interviews.
I remember a few games during the 3DO systems lifespan that helped increase the popularity of those two bands. White Zombie did just about every song off their Highway 666 album on the soundtrack of the fighting game "Way of the Warrior" which was a Mortal Kombat clone. I purchased the CD after playing that game constantly with a friend. The tracks were addictive and set the tone of the gameplay. Soundgarden did a track or two and a video on EA's "Road Rash" title on 3DO. I remember seeing the video (I think the song was Kickstand) and eventually I bought their album.
... does that mean in a few years that games won't have any Game in them?
There are 01 kinds of cars in the world. The General Lee, and everything else.
The Fat Man
All I ever see when I flip past MTV is guys making out with each other.
nothing
Um, I couldn't name a single band in a any game. I like the FF music, but couldn't tell you who did the music. If a band is wanting to increase exposure through video games, they need to hit the gamers over the head a bit more.
I myself am an independent composer/musician, and occasionally do soundtrack work for game mods (plus a brief stint on a commercial game doomed from the start). That alone has been enough to really boost the popularity of my music - My TES IV: Industrial Oblivion soundtrack project has really pushed the bandwidth of my hosting plan for my music sites (link withheld for bandwidth reasons :P). I have also received requests to go play live more often now that I started producing it - and heck, the music isn't even that good!
"Better to be vulgar than non-existent" -Bev Henson
Given the sales of some games of late, they're the perfect platform for aspiring talent to get heard. For the game companies, it's an inexhaustible source of free or cheap soundtracks. Why pay blood money to the RIAA to license songs when the stuff you can get free or cheap is just as good if not better? Gamers, in turn, get to hear new music, which is quite difficult in this age of ClearChannel and MTV playlist payola. It just makes sense for all parties.
The only party left out in the cold is the RIAA, which is just fine by me. Disintermediating them into extinction is a joyous goal we should all work toward.
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
In the PC EA sports titles (Madden, NHL) for the past few years they pop up a small windows in the lower left with the band and song name when you're in the menus and the music changes. They have a few good popular songs every year and I actually went out and bought a CD to get a song I heard first in Madded '06. The only thing that sucks is that window frequently pops over the top of a "back" or "done" button so you have to guess where it is.
You don't eat crackers in the bed of your future or you get all...scratchy! - The Tick
I'll admit I didn't RTFA, but I don't see how games are the next MTV.
With a music video, the video portion exists for the purpose of enhancing the music. If you take away the music, the video portion alone is pretty much useless. Furthermore, because the musical artist [usually] has creative control over the music video, the content of the video is usually related to the content of the music. For example, a song about war will probably have war imagery in the video, and a song about getting laid will probably have a hot girl in the video, etc. This allows the video and the music to be enjoyed hand-in-hand, so if you like the content of the music video, you'll probably like the content of the music (even if you don't like the way it sounds).
However, I don't believe music is ever the primary focus of video games. Even in video games like Dance Dance Revolution or Guitar Hero, the primary focus is pressing the right buttons at the right time, in the order that is displayed on the screen. Yes, these games would be pretty stupid without the music in the background to dance/play to, but the music is still not the primary focus of these games. And in games like Tony Hawk or Grand Theft Auto, you could completely remove the music and the gameplay would be unchanged. Furthermore, the content of the game is unrelated to the content of the music. For example, I enjoy playing mock guitar to a song written by The Donnas. But I despise not only the way their music sounds, but also the content of their music.
If anything, music in video games is more analagous to music in Hollywood movies. And while having a song in a Hollywood movie is definitely good for business, it's not nearly as influential as having a music video on MTV in the 1980's and early 1990's.
more Rob fuckin' Zombie. I don't think I own a PSX game that doesn't have Rob Zombie on the soundtrack.