Music is important for games. It’s one of the primary drivers for emotion – I will never forget how I felt while playing Nier when some of those incredible tracks played. Dragon Age: Inquisition will also feature some incredible music, and you can get a taste of the soundtrack by listening to the title theme.
Posted on SoundCloud, have a listen to this epic theme:
Michael Kent, the audio director for the game explains what makes a powerful video game soundtrack:
I think what makes a powerful soundtrack is strong themes. If you look at movies like Star Wars, they had very strong and memorable themes. Everyone knows Darth Vader’s theme.
Having music play when appropriate is very important, and too much music can numb the players’ emotions, so it’s really important to find a balance. Less is more with music to get as much emotional impact as you can.
I think this is the right approach; music needs to be present with strong and recognizable themes, but without being too heavy handed. Most people will only notice sound or lighting in games if there are problems – if it’s done well, you don’t even perceive its existence without paying special attention to it. Knowing that this balance was important to the audio director gives me a lot of hope that I probably won’t even be aware of the music of Dragon Age, until I decide to specifically tune my brain in to it.
Does listening to this music get your excited for the game? Do you like the way Bioware deals with sound design in general, or are there other things you care about more?
Last Updated: October 30, 2014
Admiral Chief 0
October 30, 2014 at 14:08
NOPE
Ceyber, Hans
October 30, 2014 at 14:10
Very suspicion, much hype.
Captain JJ the pout
October 30, 2014 at 14:39
wow
Ceyber, Hans
October 30, 2014 at 15:03
It’s self-loathing, I can’t help but excited for this game just as much as everyone else 😉
Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)
October 30, 2014 at 14:12
LOL! Zoe, you need to dial back your obsession with this game. Just a little, not too much. 😛
Captain JJ the pout
October 30, 2014 at 14:30
Austin Wintory who did the stuff for The Banner Saga is incredibly talented.
konfab aka derp
October 30, 2014 at 15:42
He also did the music for Journey- one of my favourite games of all times.
On the Mass Effect theme, I would like to see some piano themes. Maybe Clint Mansell can put some inspiration in.
Captain JJ the pout
October 30, 2014 at 15:45
Now I have to check out Journey
konfab aka derp
October 30, 2014 at 16:05
You will not be disappointed. 😀
Ceyber, Hans
October 30, 2014 at 15:08
The first’s score played a huge part for me, I agree that it occasionally became repetitive, but it was very emotive(?) and therefore immersive.
Stumbled across a group named Brand X Music, absolutely great for BF4. Have a look if you like epic-ish/dramatic music.
Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)
October 30, 2014 at 15:17
Will take a look, thanks dude.
Ceyber, Hans
October 30, 2014 at 15:36
Anytime. Got those tunes from the first in my head now.
laaaiiin floww eeeaewooo
ya ya ya
blah blah blah blah blah another eeeaewooo
…
DUUUH!
D-D-DURRN!!
derr derr DUUURN!!!
(They sound really accurate in my head.)
Matthew Holliday
October 30, 2014 at 15:15
the mass effect guys knew what they were doing, each song, each ambient noise had an intention.
was just classy.
bioware4lyf
konfab aka derp
October 30, 2014 at 15:43
There definitely some hints of the Suicide mission theme in the DA:I theme.
Matthew Holliday
October 31, 2014 at 09:51
no idea, the DA:I soundtrack will not touch my ears untill i play the game.
Captain JJ the pout
October 30, 2014 at 14:29
Music is such a huge part of a game for me. Good and memorable music is what adds that extra 1 or 2 points of rating to a game for me.
Matewis Jubilai
October 30, 2014 at 15:02
As much as I appreciate good ingame music, I must say that I also really appreciate good ambient music. I think that good ambient music can add as much to a game as good music. Simple things, like grass blowing in the wind, birds chirping in the trees, mountain streams cascading over rocks and the various insects of the night… can be really powerful.
Captain JJ the pout
October 30, 2014 at 15:03
Oh yes absolutely.
I’ve got a mod on my Skyrim “Sounds of the wild”. Makes a HUGE difference.
Ranting Raptor Llew
October 30, 2014 at 14:36
I have this sudden urge to listen to the LOTR soundtrack
Matewis Jubilai
October 30, 2014 at 14:38
Howard Shore rocks man! I don’t know what made me more excited when the Hobbit was announced : another Peter Jackson trilogy, or another Howard Shore trilogy
Ranting Raptor Llew
October 30, 2014 at 14:43
Have an upvote
Matewis Jubilai
October 30, 2014 at 14:44
You too fellow Tolkien junkie 🙂
Matewis Jubilai
October 30, 2014 at 14:37
Here is an old favorite of mine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb133m_AEnY
Captain JJ the pout
October 30, 2014 at 14:37
What is it? (please inform the YouTube challenged)
Matewis Jubilai
October 30, 2014 at 14:38
It’s the theme from Neverwinter Nights
Captain JJ the pout
October 30, 2014 at 14:39
Ah. Cool. Checking it out on Soundcloud now.
Kensei Seraph Forget Terra
October 30, 2014 at 14:38
Neverwinter Nights Main theme.
Matewis Jubilai
October 30, 2014 at 14:42
Lazygamer really should have some sort of Thursday’s epic musictude feature or something. There is a near limitless supply of awesomely epic songs from games and movies. Here is another I’ve been listening over and over again : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOovc5OtCs0
It’s important to listen to the whole thing, since it starts off kinda meh but builds up and ends on an incredibly epic note.
Captain JJ the pout
October 30, 2014 at 14:44
I agree with this idea. A game theme a week. (watch out for this ending up somewhere in tomorrow’s FFD now ;P).
RedJoker
October 30, 2014 at 14:43
I have never known a game to be hyped to the extent Zoe is hyping DA:I. It is fantastic!
Captain JJ the pout
October 30, 2014 at 14:45
I don’t even buy EA and she’s getting me hyped up. Damn it!
Matthew Holliday
October 30, 2014 at 15:13
the hate, i feel it so bad.
the struggle is real.
Brady miaau
October 30, 2014 at 14:51
Will not listen now,
But music can enhance things so much. Look at the Imperial March, from Star Wars. Stirring stuff. Or the Ode to Joy, Beethoven (Yes, yes, I have an enormous collection of opera and classical music)
Good music cannot rescue a bad game, but it can make an average game far more entertaining.
Brady miaau
October 30, 2014 at 14:53
Music and visuals working together
Captain JJ the pout
October 30, 2014 at 14:54
I’m seeing a blank space with silence and I must say THIS is visuals and sound working together. 😉
Brady miaau
October 30, 2014 at 14:59
Yes. Um, your you-tube blocked?
I am actually considering bocking youtube and facebook at my office (IT support reports to me, for my sins). Seems far too much is used, but that is just mean to do. Education? Half brick in a sock? perhaps.
Captain JJ the pout
October 30, 2014 at 15:02
Just about everything is blocked by me. Including most gaming sites. Luckily Lagz isn’t or I would have to quit. ;P
Matewis Jubilai
October 30, 2014 at 14:57
Concerning music and visuals working together in SW, I immediately think of two scenes:
1.) Luke looking out over the desert as the two suns set over the horizon – episode IV
2.) When Luke attacks Vader for the last time in front of the emperor – episode VI
Brady miaau
October 30, 2014 at 14:57
Yes. This video is some sort of montage, I cannot seem to find the actual movie clip where the song first played.
Captain JJ the pout
October 30, 2014 at 14:58
Point 1
YESSSSS
Matewis Jubilai
October 30, 2014 at 14:53
Just like bad music can ruin a game. Imagine playing The Sims with Sokkie Treffers as the accompanying soundtrack…
Kensei Seraph Forget Terra
October 30, 2014 at 15:04
You could make a mod for that.
Matewis Jubilai
October 30, 2014 at 15:06
Uhm no, since that would require me to check whether or not it works, which would require me to listen to sokkie treffers 😛
Kensei Seraph Forget Terra
October 30, 2014 at 15:20
Who said you had to test it?
Just throw it out and add a disclaimer saying you’re not responsible if it doesn’t work properly or breaks someones game/computer.
Matewis Jubilai
October 30, 2014 at 15:26
or causes any debilitating health effects…
Matthew Holliday
October 30, 2014 at 15:19
this begs for the expansion “sims 4: opp’ie plaas ya”
Matewis Jubilai
October 30, 2014 at 15:35
lol there is a game somewhere in there I think – fighting off poachers, holding massive braais, raising boerboels etc..
Matthew Holliday
October 31, 2014 at 09:57
my boerbul would never survive oppie plaas
city slicker of note.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e80/BenDover_za/henry_zps74bea9c0.jpg~original
Matewis Jubilai
October 31, 2014 at 11:21
lol oubaas se honne!
Reid
October 30, 2014 at 15:12
One of the best Prince of Persia games for me was also due to the music.
Prince of Persia Warrior Within : Godsmack – I stand Alone
Matthew Holliday
October 30, 2014 at 15:12
bioware does music best.
no i will not listen to it, zoe pls.
Ghost In The Rift
October 30, 2014 at 15:28
Mix some Hard Base in-between and ill give it a go HeHe,slashing dragons to the sound of rave,funny