The world of music composition offers diverse and exciting career opportunities, with video game scoring and film scoring being two of the most popular fields for composers. While both disciplines share the same fundamental goal—enhancing the emotional experience of the audience—there are key differences in how music is used and created for video games compared to film. Understanding these differences is crucial for any composer aiming to excel in either field.
1. Interactivity vs. Linear Storytelling
One of the most significant differences between composing for video games and film is the level of interactivity involved. Film is a linear medium, meaning that the audience watches the story unfold in a set order. The music for a film is composed to match the emotional trajectory of the film, often following the script’s pacing and the director’s vision. The music will always play in the same order, aligning with specific scenes, whether it’s a tense moment, a romantic sequence, or an action-packed chase.
In contrast, video games are interactive, meaning that the music must respond to the player’s actions and choices in real-time. This requires a dynamic approach to composition. Music composers for video games need to anticipate the wide variety of scenarios a player might encounter, from winning a battle to exploring a new environment. The score must seamlessly adapt to these changes, creating an immersive experience that remains consistent no matter how the player interacts with the game. For instance, an action scene in a video game might have an intensity that builds or recedes depending on the player’s performance, requiring the composer to create flexible, adaptive music that can shift as needed.
2. Non-Linear Scoring Techniques
Given that video games are non-linear, composers need to use specialized techniques such as adaptive or dynamic scoring. These methods allow the music to change based on gameplay, player decisions, or the progression of the game’s narrative. Often, video game music is segmented into loops, layers, or stems, which can be triggered in different combinations based on in-game events. For example, if a player is exploring a peaceful environment, the music might consist of soft, ambient sounds. However, as the player encounters a threat, the music may layer in more intense instruments or rhythms, heightening the tension. This kind of adaptive scoring is a hallmark of video game composition and is significantly different from the more static, cue-based approach to film scoring, where each piece of music is carefully timed to a specific scene.
Composers often need to create multiple versions of a track, allowing the music to evolve depending on different in-game variables, such as location, time of day, or the player’s actions. These decisions make video game composition far more complex, as the music must work across multiple scenarios, with each musical element ready to blend seamlessly into the gameplay experience.
3. Musical Styles and Genre Flexibility
The styles and genres of music used in video game scoring can vary widely depending on the type of game being created. From orchestral scores in epic fantasy games to electronic music in fast-paced action or simulation games, the genre of the music is often dictated by the nature of the game. Video game music can also incorporate experimental sounds, ambient noises, or even genre-crossing approaches, allowing for greater creative freedom compared to film scoring, which often stays within more traditional genres like orchestral, jazz, or rock.
Video game composers may also have to work with more unconventional sounds, such as synthesizers or samples, which can contribute to the game’s atmosphere. For example, games set in futuristic or dystopian worlds might use a lot of electronic music, while fantasy games often incorporate sweeping orchestral scores. This flexibility allows composers to explore a wide range of styles and techniques that are more specific to the gaming experience than to a traditional film score.
4. Musical Length and Structure
In film scoring, the music is typically composed to fit within the precise timing of scenes, often syncing with dialogue, action, or other visual elements. The length and structure of each musical cue are predetermined, ensuring the score aligns perfectly with the film’s pacing. On the other hand, video game music can be much more expansive in terms of length. A single level or area within a game can feature music that loops for extended periods, sometimes lasting hours, without becoming repetitive or monotonous. This means the composer must focus on creating music that maintains the player’s engagement over long durations while still enhancing the emotional tone of the game.
In addition, video game scores are often composed in such a way that they can be repurposed across various levels, ensuring that different sections of the game can have varying musical moods without disrupting the player’s experience. The structure of video game music is more flexible and modular than in film, where each cue is crafted to serve a specific emotional purpose within a fixed timeline.
5. Collaboration with Developers and Designers
Unlike film composers, who primarily collaborate with the director and editor, video game composers work closely with developers, sound designers, and sometimes even the players themselves. Since video game music must fit seamlessly with the mechanics of the game, composers often need to discuss game dynamics, level design, and player behavior with developers to ensure the music supports the gameplay experience. This type of collaboration often requires a deeper understanding of the game’s interactive features, which influences the way music is created and integrated into the game.
In conclusion, composing for video games presents unique challenges and opportunities when compared to traditional film scoring. The interactivity of games requires composers to think beyond traditional, linear scoring techniques, using adaptive scoring and flexible musical structures to create a dynamic, immersive experience. Aspiring composers looking to break into the world of video game music should consider pursuing a music composition degree to develop the technical skills and creative strategies needed for this highly specialized field. By mastering both traditional and adaptive techniques, composers can create powerful, memorable scores that elevate the gaming experience to new heights.
