Computer game music. From the days of Pac-Man and Donkey Kong, video games have almost always been accompanied by music. In terms of music video game used to begin as a brief jingle to start a level. Later music began to play during the level. As video game systems advanced, their sound capabilities also advanced.
Computer game music is really a genre in its own right. Even though composers obviously draw on all types of musical influences, there is an overall unique sound to computer game music which cannot be found anywhere else. It has developed from the earliest computers which could only generate musical beeps right up to the orchestral scores that you meet in most games today. But through all the stages that computer technology has passed, game music composers have developed the unique sounding music that creates a certain mood while you are playing the game.
Can you imagine that the music of computer games can grow so popular, that even CDs are being published? Video game soundtracks now constitute their own category in the retail music market. Most of this music is from arcade games. A CD normally contains the original music and some so-called "Arrange Versions". The style can vary greatly: for example, there can be classic, jazz, or rock versions of the same melody. Of the countless video game tunes that have been written, a few stand out as superior to the rest. They are truly memorable pieces which evoke strong emotions within the listener. They stick in your head, and are easily hummable.
Computer game music is now a legitimate industry of its own. The most famous video games manufactures are trying to increase the number of gamers by inviting famous singers and groups. Now it is really prestigious to create a soundtrack for a new gaming product. And for many singers and groups it is a real chance to pull themselves to the international musical world.
You can certainly remember the most popular video games music: Mortal Combat, Need for Speed, Quake, Doom III and many others. Video game sheet music and soundtracks now constitute their own category in the retail music market. Several films were created basing on these games and the music from these games was used in films too. Check you computer or CD collection, you are likely to have soundtracks collection from Need for Speed. Need for Speed: Underground featured some marvelous tracks from artists you would otherwise never have heard. By means of this game they managed to reach the top of music charts.
It is a well known fact that world most popular game manufactures are from Japan. The budget of video game manufacturing exceeds billions of dollars. And manufacturers are ready to spend more and more money for high quality soundtracks for their new releases. Music is, of course, only one element of the overall sound design of video games, with the advent of directional and simulated surround sound, game audio became integral to the action itself.
As technology has progressed and overall game design has evolved, computer game music is now a fertile area of development and growth.