This is for anyone who writes music for games that they are developing themselves. When you sit down to write the music, do you sit down before creating the cinematic, or sequence that the music is written for or do you write the music first and then begin the process of animating. Write back with the reasons why you do it the way that you do, that is what I'm really interested in.

I really shouldn't be responding to this, as I am not anyone who writes music for games that I myself am developing, myself.

BUT, if I were anyone who wrote music for games that I myself was developing, myself, then I would have to say that the music would probably be done after creating the "cinematic", although while creating the visual image, I would be actively making mental notes as to how to implement music, style, instrumentation, etc...

I think this really depends on where you're trying to place emphasis. Do you want to have music that compliments a game/visual, or do you want a game/visual that compliments music?

And besides, I would argue that if you were anyone who writes music for games that you yourself were developing, then separating either of these two processes would be impossible. That you'd be doing this, and obviously much more, simultaneously.

Most often the cinematic visuals are done first. This gives the musician (and the sound designer) the pacing and mood so that the audio can be the best fit. There are plenty of times that I've been forced to begin music before having any visuals because of a tight deadline. While I can make this work out well in most cases, it is not the preferred way to work.

Depends on the media.

Usually cinematics come first, however basic film editing can cue the soundtrack to be more in-time with the music.


Take fireworks, for example. It is easier to write music with the intent of a fireworks show and add in the fireworks after. It is much harder write music for a fireworks show...

However, the artistic design often comes better from the COMPOSER. Writing music to a scene allows for custom emotion and writing. If you're going to have visuals placed into a musical context, you need to be involved.