I was just watching CD USA on directv and was thinking if gaming music could ever become mainstream. I know there are some pretty memorable orchastrated pieces which probably wouldnt be a hit but there are some songs that are pretty mainstream that I associate with games. Actually, probably only Madden songs cause I hear them so early before they are even released. But maybe if were to request songs on CD USA's myspace account we can make it happen.

Well, a whole lot of game music just isn't appropriate for mainstream pop/country/rock/whatever. I mean, Halo has some great songs, but not a whole lot of people have the soundtrack. Madden is one of the few (along with some of the newer rap-themed games) that would be right for it.

The other solution is to get an XBox, get your favorite CDs on the drive, and then listen to them over other games!

If the (sweet) music from the Dig goes mainstream, I'll eat my foot.

Actually, this is the case in Japan--the market for game OSTs is huge over there. Hence why the Final Fantasy music gets performed by large live orchestras to sold-out concert halls. I think it's just a matter of time--there is a growing number of game soundtrack enthusiasts, and game companies are realizing that with many games, it's worth it to produce truly high-quality music both for the purposes of the game and because they can then sell the OST. The Medal of Honor games and the Myst series would be the prime examples of this. And of course on the contemporary music side, games are a good way for new artists to get their music heard. The soundtrack to Stubbs the Zombie actually has a lot of A and B-list alternative acts (Cake, Death Cab for Cutie, the Flaming Lips) doing covers of 50s songs, and is actually a really cool and enjoyable album even if you haven't played the game. So we're actually getting there, just slowly :)

Music from "The Dig", the old LucasArts game, eh? Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they license recordings of Wagner for a good deal of that game? I think I remember reading something to that effect. If that's the case, you should be able to find the music, provided somebody has the info on which pieces were used.

As for the core question, will game music ever me mainstream...This same question was being asked about film music for the better part of the last century. The same question of legitimacy arises out of any new field. I'm sure when the first operas were being premiered, conservative musical types were asking themselves, "Now why would anyone sing this secular tripe instead of a good old fashioned church oratorio?"

Game music owes most of its existence to film music. Film music owes much of its existence to incidental music for ballet and opera. It's kind of the apples and oranges question really, but with a different twist. Instead of a simple contrast of each other, one has grown directly from another. You can trace this all the way back to when some lone homo-sapiens decided to bang some rocks together at a steady pace until they discovered rhythm.

So yes, I do think eventually it will become mainstream eventually. When, I'm not sure. As an art form still in its infancy, gaming is in a constant state of techological revolution. Things are changing faster today than they ever have at any point in history, and I won't pretend to know where the next big thing will come from. I just want to enjoy the ride while I'm here.

Brian

Doesn't matter the forum...this question gets asked. Which is fine, since everyone has a different answer. Ask Roger Ebert and you get a resounding "no". Ask Brian Timmons and you get a resounding "yes! (eventually)"

Well, you're really asking about original game audio outside of Asia, right? Cause we all know Asia pays more attention to game composers and game soundtracks. And of course licensed and pre-existing material sell better because...well they sold once already somewhere sometime, right?

So what chances does the original game soundtrack have in the race to be "mainstream"?

Well, some people would say it's already the case when you mention things like sports soundtracks getting licensed songs in their games. Not a big fan of that, it's more of a commercial venture than an artistic avenue. The only reason that would sell is because they (once again) sold before already.

So we have a new medium with the game soundtrack; it can be dynamically accessed, can loop, add or subtract instruments based on user/design variables, and even change tempo on the fly. Doesn't even hold to typical song (or tonal) structure necessarily. It can be what it wants to be and what it needs to be at the same time. It shouldn't have to measure up to "mainstream" success to validify it's merit.

What I'm saying is...it's new! We get to do what we want with it with no worry about any preordained structure.

Though I'd love to see an Anthem Audio produced soundtrack on the charts. I'm so screwy that way.

Tony
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http://www.anthem-audio.com

Quote: Music from "The Dig", the old LucasArts game, eh? Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they license recordings of Wagner for a good deal of that game? I think I remember reading something to that effect. If that's the case, you should be able to find the music, provided somebody has the info on which pieces were used.

Oh, don't worry, I have it [grin]. But it sure isn't mainstream!