From live orchestras to marching football bands, the sounds from video games have reach many gamers and continue to spread to international listeners. Through a beat of a drum or a cellular phone, fans enjoy these musical beats, which gaming studios are placing their bets on. In this gamble, popular studios like Nintendo and Square Enix are pocketing cash through their license tracks. Before examining these companies’ methods and who started this competitive market, how did the bit-size noises first move outside of consoles?
Brief History
Without words or lyrics, these beautiful symphonies construct and intensify noises, which comprehensible translate into emotions. Abrupt pauses may instill fear and anxiety, but a melody without constant interruptions brings serene calamity. By recognizing these repetitive noises, these tracks are easy to comprehend by all audiences. With this universal connection, Koichi Sugiyama presented his Family Classic Concert at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo – the first video game music concert in the world.
After sixteen years since the performance, producer and organizer, Thomas Böcker, hosts the first video game music outside Japanese borders in Leipzig, Germany. This 2003 successful presentation initiates a whole series of concerts called Spielemusikkonzerte (a German terminology for video game music concerts). With similar events flourishing, new opportunities emerge from broadcasting in the radio to recording live orchestras on a CD. As such, publishing studios are taking advantage of these musical score arrangements.
More Symphonies
With an upper hand of supplying memorable melodies like Mario’s theme, the family-oriented publisher gains another boost from an adventurous hero who plays a musical instrument to reach hidden dungeons. Fans (who know this familiar scenario by heart) can recite the repetitive but powerful tunes by memory from the Legend of Zelda (LoZ): Ocarina of Time. Bringing these tracks and more into recital halls, Jason Michael Paul Productions, Inc. produces The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses that covers four LoZ titles: Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and A Link to the Past. The concerts have finally ended last year, enabling Square Enix to push on forward.
As its best-selling franchise, Final Fantasy (FF) series also contains the greatest and most memorable scores in the gaming industries. Though one could say that nothing beats the iconic villain’s entrance and his “One-Winged Angel” theme, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children comes really close – the sudden emergence of an electric guitar solo and the unbelievable graphics of Cloud and Sephiroth’s clash. Remember though, this one masterpiece isn’t the only achievement; the infamous victory song has crossed into several of its own titles. Emerging from its ever-growing popularity, Final Symphony features the musical compositions from FF VI, FF VII, and FF X. Despite gaining a solid foothold on the music business, Nintendo returns with another cunning tactic.
Arriving soon, a Pokemon orchestra called Pokemon: Symphonic Evolutions will be launching its tour at its first debut at Washington, D.C on August 15, 2014. At this east coast location, the 2014 Pokemon World Championships will also be held in the nation’s capital that weekend as well. What does this whole event mean for the gaming studios?
Melody Games
Without carefully paying attention to the musical score games and increase of symphonies, nobody will notice the connection and potential growth in revenues and projects. While attracting more music lovers, the studios can sale these wonderful tracks through its production line. Though this revelation may not convince some people, think about Square Enix’s recent project, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call. Unlike previous works, this production replaces realism with a chibi artwork, so the emphasis will be on the musical notes and melodies.
Even though this conspiracy sounds too good to be true, the Nintendo and Square Enix hold a lot a surprises and probably even a good relationship. Believe it or not, this FF title will be arriving in the Nintendo 3DS system on September 16, 2014, which makes people wonder who really wins in this match. Yet, gamers should know that these possible melody games might appear from other gaming studios like Bungie.
Potential Adversaries
With its first amazing opening title from Halo, ignoring Bungie might be a bad mistake. Gamers may appreciate a phone/app game that contains the original or remastered albums from this first-person shooting series. Though Bungie can possible earn more dough from this unique marketing strategy, other publishers may catch-on and take advantage of this music stream. Can you predict which studios may follow this trend?
If not, that’s quite alright. Just expect more concerts and these tuneful entries in the near future! For more information about the Final Symphony, click on the main website. For details about the Washington D.C. event, please click here.
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