Gaming needs more of this...

[TheShend]

I think licensed music would make for a good idea.

Not to mention new steams of revenue offered by soundtrack CDs of games, like Japan has.

I think the Xbox or M$ has tinkered with this idea by giving developers the option of letting punters play their ripped tunes from the HD.

I believe GTA VC sold extremly well off the back of 80's nostalgia, which holds for 20 somethings. Given that the game was GTA3 + miami vice.

I'd certaily like to see a Rez with tracks from Aphex Twin, ManWithNoName, The Orb and boards of canada etc. I'd personally love a K&D mix of Depeche Mode in there too.

Maybe Max Paine could've done with a Radiohead track in that weird blood trail level?

[olly]

Personally I'd prefer more classical music. You know, the really dramatic choiry stuff that makes your hairs stand on air. Big orchestrated scores beat crap licenses any day.

[sam1981]

When I'm playing Moto GP and 'Race for the prize' by the Flaming Lips kicks in, it makes me race faster... honest!

[Ady]

Personally I'd prefer more classical music. You know, the really dramatic choiry stuff that makes your hairs stand on air. Big orchestrated scores beat crap licenses any day.

BVut surely it depends on the game and the scene in question? It doesn't have to be either/or.

[olly]

Oh sure. I'm just talking in general terms. But music is at it's most potent when it is used to communicate meaning or feeling to the listener - this is more frequent in adventure games like Zelda than in your average racing sim.

[Ady]

Oh sure. I'm just talking in general terms. But music is at it's most potent when it is used to communicate meaning or feeling to the listener - this is more frequent in adventure games like Zelda than in your average racing sim.

I know. A well chosen licensed piece of music can convey meaning as well as any orchestral score...

[olly]

You're probably right. I'm just asserting my preferences, really.

[charlesr]

Evolution Snowboarding is full of licensed music by Slipknot and other's off the same label. Makes the game worse if you ask me.
Can you imagine Zelda with tunes that weren't done in-house?

[TheShend]

Isn't the Zelda tunes just rewoeked OoT and LttP tunes.

I swear the Dragon Roost dungeon was the same as OoT Fire Mountain dungeon?

[olly]

That can only be a good thing. Zelda's score was bliss.

[kamaran]

I think its a good idea but only if used in proper context - like Vice City when your driving a car. I can see many crap games using licensed music as a selling point

also

Can you imagine what would happen to game prices if all this were to happen ? I know Vice City sold at RRP but I think this would be a prime excuse for developers to hike prices.

[olly]

Hm, I'm not sure about that. Unless it's particularly good, a title priced higher than similar games is going to fail at retail.

[Ady]

Evolution Snowboarding is full of licensed music by Slipknot and other's off the same label. Makes the game worse if you ask me.
Can you imagine Zelda with tunes that weren't done in-house?

I think some of you are taking my point to extremes. I was not suggesting in-house music be abolished, just that the use of licensed music should be included more depending on the game, that's all. In fact, why can't the two work in tandem? Cinema does this with films scored by a composer, but also featuring music from other sources.

As for potential licensed music not being emotive as a score, well that's like saying that only classical music is emotive (which is silly and completely untrue, of course). What about your favourite songs? Why do they move you?

Yes, licensed music needs to be applied carefully, but that's a given really and it doesn't just have to be cheesy nu-metal tunes tacked onto an extreme sports game. It's all down to the imagination of the design team.

[ryodi]

Ok, I'm going to mention one of the great evils so could gamers with a weak heart take a deep breath or carry onto the next post...




...still here? Well, in FIFA 2003 the licensed music seems totally out of place within the menu system. I'm sorry, but what the hell do Avril Lavigne and Ms Dynamite have to do with the beautiful game?

But when licensed music is used properly, like in GTA:VC, it can make the experience better.

[acidforblood]

in FIFA 2003 the licensed music seems totally out of place within the menu system. I'm sorry, but what the hell do Avril Lavigne and Ms Dynamite have to do with the beautiful game?

You took the words right out of my mouth there Ryodi old son. I've not played any of the Fifa games until the latest release so did any previous versions have such an eclectic mix?