Over the weekend, I had an extraordinary experience. My friends took me to witness a live performance of the soundtrack for Journey. A group of players went through the game as composer Austin Wintory directed an orchestra beside them. This was my first encounter with a video game concert, and it sparked a deep curiosity within me about how these soundtracks are crafted.

Uncover the Secrets of Video Game Soundtrack Creation

Journey: A Game that Transcended Time

Remember Journey? It's an indie game that emerged for PS3 in 2012 and caused a sensation with its multiplayer element. A stranger could join your game and accompany you across the sandy landscape. Back then, I didn't own a console, so my familiarity with it was mainly through playing a bit at my friends' house. The limited interaction and the overall experience were truly remarkable. When a stranger appeared in my game for the first time, I was filled with both fascination and nerves. And when we could only communicate through movement and musical chirps, it was a unique and unforgettable moment.When the game finally came to PC in 2019, it opened up new possibilities for me. I realized how much I had missed out on. The multiplayer aspect of Journey added a whole new dimension to gaming, and the soundtrack played a crucial role in enhancing that experience.

The American Composers Orchestra: A Masterful Performance

Austin Wintory conducted the American Composers Orchestra, and it was a sight to behold. A very excellent cello soloist took the stage, making me miss playing the cello myself. The game was displayed on a giant screen behind them, while players seated to the side took turns controlling the game. I spent my time alternating between watching the gameplay and admiring the orchestra. I wondered how it felt to follow a score that had to synchronize with someone playing the game in real time. At one point, a player missed a jump, but the orchestra seamlessly looped the music to keep it in time. This seamless integration of gameplay and music was truly amazing. Sometimes, it felt like watching a Let's Play at home; at other times, it was like watching a concert.

The End Credits and the Mystery of Online Players

As the end credits rolled, the user names of several players appeared on the screen. My friends and I assumed they were real players who happened to be online and matched up with the concert. It was a wild thought to consider that someone was playing Journey on a Saturday afternoon in 2024 and that hundreds of people were watching them live, including the game's composer. This made me realize the power and reach of video game concerts.

Thinking about Video Game Scores on a Compositional Level

I have to admit that I've never given much thought to how video game scores work on a compositional level. In many games, players can spend unlimited time in an area, so how do you structure a score that doesn't have a defined length like a song? When playing Journey, the music responds to your actions, whether there's another player or not. I've always just taken it for granted that video game music does this, but I've never really thought about how someone writes a score that can achieve this. Austin Wintory's words in 2019 shed some light on this issue: "The issue [with dynamic scores] is reconciling the player agency with some sort of musicality... Music is by definition a linear art form, playing out over time. Great music (and great performers) leverage that to take you on emotional adventures. When that passage of time is subject to tinkering, it can destroy the storytelling instantly. My goal is always to find a way to preserve the best of what traditionally linear music can offer (particularly with regards to storytelling) while giving the player maximum agency in the process."This experience has opened my eyes to the complexity and creativity behind video game soundtracks. I'm grateful to my friends for inviting me and introducing me to this world. I look forward to learning more and exploring the creative processes of video game music composers.