Being a metal head, I love a good breakdown with a loud double kick. When I hear these, I always think how good it would be to be playing a game, just cruising along, and when an enemy pops up, some real heavy music starts playing and this gets you fired up to kill something. I know Prince of Persia: Warrior Within used metal as a battle theme because of the darker feel to it. I was just wondering, would it be possible to make a good metal song for a game and also what kind of game would it have to be to make this work? -James-

Yes it can work ;)

See Quake1 (NIN/Trent Reznor) and Quake2 (don't know who, but it's heavy).

I think the only real requirement is that the music fits the theme of the game. Having said that I would definitely like to hear more metal in games so I say go for it :)

See also Destruction Derby 1 and 2 (haven't played the others), where you are happily crushing and crashing cars while hearing some nice metal tunes.

But basically, it depends on the game. GTA allows for everything due to the radio. Men of Valor lived a lot from the 60's soundtrack, and WipEout 1-3 (don't like the newer ones) are great with the electronica.

(btw, personally I am too a metal head, but also love some niche electronica like IDM or glitch while coding)

Very good example is painkiller. I think the music really adds to the experience.

Metal works well for combat scenes, from what I've seen. I can imagine it working with everything from UT to space shooters to racing games - anything with adrenaline. Sci-fi themes are fine, but you can probably even get it to work in fantasy RPGs - think fantasy metal like Blind Guardian or Nightwish or folk metal like In Extremo (who incidentally had a cameo in the first game of the Gothic series).

Quote: Original post by Hodgman
Yes it can work ;)

See Quake1 (NIN/Trent Reznor) and Quake2 (don't know who, but it's heavy).

Rob Zombie.

Heavy metal works, but it shouldn't be used as a 'cool factor' when it comprimises suspension of disbelief. Typically heavy metal is used for industrial or futuristic settings; putting it into a scene whose timeline suggests the electric guitar doesn't exist yet only serves to cause the music to stick out like a sore thumb.

Due to the classical-music influence that many subgenres of metal possess (neoclassical and power metal being the main culprits), it would be interesting to see bands like Blind Guardian (who are obviously heavily influenced by classical and European folk) produce classical- or folk-music contemporary to a game whose timeline is from or is influenced by the distant past.

These are all great examples of metal in games.

You are right when you say it should be used for a battle theme as it gets your adrenaline pumping and you just want to bash somethings head in. |m|

But I suppose you wouldn't want to hear a Killswitch Engage song while playing Land before time or something like that.

Also I keep hearing of this 'suspension of belief'. What exactly is it because I still don't understand.

Quote: Original post by DarkHorizon

Quote: Original post by Hodgman
Yes it can work ;)

See Quake1 (NIN/Trent Reznor) and Quake2 (don't know who, but it's heavy).

Rob Zombie.

Heavy metal works, but it shouldn't be used as a 'cool factor' when it comprimises suspension of disbelief. Typically heavy metal is used for industrial or futuristic settings; putting it into a scene whose timeline suggests the electric guitar doesn't exist yet only serves to cause the music to stick out like a sore thumb.

Due to the classical-music influence that many subgenres of metal possess (neoclassical and power metal being the main culprits), it would be interesting to see bands like Blind Guardian (who are obviously heavily influenced by classical and European folk) produce classical- or folk-music contemporary to a game whose timeline is from or is influenced by the distant past.

Blind Guardian did make some music for Sacred 2

Oh yes it would!

Imagine the introductory movie of an RPG playing an epic piece of Power Metal instead of the ever-repeating female chorus and cinema trailer style music. That would be much more intense and highlight the drama instead of just looking like some show-off attempt.

In driving games, I think Metal is the perfect adrenaline pusher. FlatOut 2 does this and it's the perfect match. I have played all recent Need for Speeds with music turned off because of the stupid rap music. Who wants to drive while some thinks-he's-cool raphead keeps yapping his life's story at you? :P

And shooters, of course! What would be better than to use the range of the Metal genre to complement the game's atmosphere? Sensual, emotional pieces when the hero encounters a loss, Speed Metal or, if the developer dares, Death/Black Metal to fire up the player when he takes revenge, and a nice dose of Heavy Metal during regular action.