Classic FM

Video game music

Video game music is increasingly being taken as seriously as film music and even some classics. From the soundtrack to Takeshi Furukawa’s The Last Guardian to Jeremy Soule’s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the popularity and fan base of the genre is growing.

Soundtracks to early video game music was made up of simple melodies from sound synthesizer technology, which inspired the ‘Chiptune’ style of music.

Video game music has now grown to become as complex and as popular as film and TV scores.

In 2016’s Classic FM Hall of Fame, Nobuo Uematsu’s Final Fantasy soundtrack reached number 17 while Yoko Shimomura ‘s Kingdom Hearts was number 30 on the list.

What makes video game concerts special?

Game Concerts - We Love Video Game Music

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Introduction to video game music

Features

‘The video game industry is a hard industry to be in as a woman – let’s claim our space and stop apologising’ – Jessica Curry

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What makes video game concerts special?

Introduction to video game music

Top video game music

Features

More genres

Video game music

What makes video game concerts special?

Introduction to video game music

James Hannigan on video game music: is it art? Part 1

Alastair Lindsay and James Hannigan talk video game music at the ABO Conference

The 10 best video game soundtracks of 2016

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Top video game music

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - Nate's Theme Greg Edmondson Conductor: Andrew Skeet Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra Record label: X5 Catalogue ID: X5CD 114

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Aurora Jeremy Soule Ensemble: Studio musicians Record label: DirectSong

Tomb Raider - A Survivor is Born Jason Graves Conductor: Jason Graves Ensemble: Session Orchestra Record label: Sumthing Else Music Works Catalogue ID: SE-3052-2

Metal Gear Solid - Sons of Liberty Theme Harry Gregson-Williams Conductor: Andrew Skeet Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra and Studio Choir Record label: X5 Catalogue ID: X5CD 114

Beyond: Two Souls - Jodie's Story Lorne Balfe and Hans Zimmer Conductor: Matt Dunkley Ensemble: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Record label: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

Viva Pinata - Oven-Fresh Day Grant Kirkhope Conductor: Nic Raine Ensemble: Prague Philharmonic Orchestra Record label: Sumthing Else Music Works Catalogue ID: SE 2058-2

Fable III - Brightwall Russell Shaw Conductor: Allan Wilson Ensemble: Slovak National Symphony Orchestra; The Pinewood Singers Record label: Sumthing Else Music Works Catalogue ID: SE-2091-2

The Legend of Zelda - Suite Koji Kondo (b.1961 : Japan) Conductor: Andrew Skeet Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra Record label: X5 Music Catalogue ID: X5CD 114

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The story of video game music concerts