The Creative Process of Composing for Video Games: From Pitching to Gold Master and Beyond

Baysted, S. and Summers, T. (2020) The Creative Process of Composing for Video Games: From Pitching to Gold Master and Beyond. In: The Oxford Handbook of the Creative Process in Music. Oxford Handbooks, 42047 . Oxford University Press, online. ISBN 9780190636203

[thumbnail of This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an chapter accepted for publication in The Oxford Handbook of the Creative Process in Music  (online edn, Oxford Academic, 8 May 2018), https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190636197.013.29,] Text (This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an chapter accepted for publication in The Oxford Handbook of the Creative Process in Music (online edn, Oxford Academic, 8 May 2018), https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190636197.013.29,)
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Abstract

This chapter explores the composer’s experience of writing music for video games. It does so by following the musical creative process through the cycle of video game development. It begins with the pitching process, examines the factors at play in establishing the musical approach to the game, considers the compositional challenges of the video game medium, outlines approaches to recording the music, and finishes by explaining the role of music in the game’s marketing. While characterizing the creative processes of game music in general, the chapter uses two contrasting racing games as case studies. At each stage, the chapter emphasizes the variety of factors and agents involved in the musical decisions. Ultimately, the chapter suggests that the creative process of game music sits in tension between the financial realities of the marketplace, the practicalities of technology, and the creative ambitions of the producers.

Item Type: Book Sections
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV1199 Games and amusements > GV1469.15 Computer games. Video games. Fantasy games
M Music and Books on Music > M Music
P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN1560 Performing arts. Show business
P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN2041 Performance studies
Divisions: Academic Areas > Conservatoire
Related URLs:
SWORD Depositor: Publications Router Jisc
Depositing User: Publications Router Jisc
Date Deposited: 09 Jan 2023 14:07
Last Modified: 09 Jan 2023 14:07
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/6646

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