Dark Schala
Eloquent Princess
Introduction
Welcome to NeoGAF’s fifth annual video game soundtracks of the year thread! This thread will serve to create a common point of reference for NeoGAF’s favourite game soundtracks in 2014, place a spotlight on the industry’s musical talent, and expose people to great video game music that they haven’t heard before. It will also host a (hopefully) comprehensive archive of the year’s game music and other related information.
Voting Rules
For your vote, select your three favourite game soundtracks of the year and rank them in the order of your preference. Your first pick will receive 3 points, your second pick will receive 2 points, and your third pick will receive 1 point. Your Honourable Mentions will not count for any points, but will still be tallied accordingly.
Please list at least 1-2 tracks you feel are your favourites from each soundtrack you vote for, as it will make the process of building the Archive much easier.
I have decided to throw in the option for an LTTP Soundtrack Vote since I thought it would be a bit fun to look back at the past. These LTTP votes will not count for points, but if there is a soundtrack that gets a considerable number of votes, I will make mention of it/them in the results. The LTTP vote is purely for fun so it is optional, but please bear in mind that you may only mention one soundtrack for this option.
You’re highly encouraged to do more than simply list your selections; please provide links to standout tracks if you can and take the time to describe what makes the soundtracks special to you. We’re hoping that everyone will want to join the conversation and take the opportunity to discover new soundtracks and composers. The most important thing about this thread is to have fun with voting and discovering new things.
If you wish to do any sort of write-ups for your vote a la the Game of the Year thread, you may do so in any way you wish. Examples of such ballots in previous years are these: Jucksalbe, Papercuts, Branny, Earthpainting, Nocturnowl, Thoraxes, Axelstream, and Yuterald. There are even more examples in previous threads linked at the bottom if you’d like to work through them to get an idea if you are relatively new to voting. If you do a write-up or make a small comment, I will go through and pick some of the most-encompassing ones to add to the Results Thread as Nert had done in previous years.
Voting will end on January 18th at 11:59 PM (PST). The votes will not be counted until after the voting period closes, so you may edit your post and change your vote as many times as you would like before then.
-----------------------------------
Ineligible Soundtracks: 2014 has seen many games which have been either re-releases, ports, remasters, or games that have seen staggered releases in different regions. Because of this, some soundtracks are ineligible for voting for various reasons. Generally, if a game is remastered or ported and there is not a substantial change to the game’s soundtrack (ex: The Last of Us Remastered; Grand Theft Auto 5 Remastered), it is not eligible.
Aside from those exceptions, all soundtracks for games released in 2014 will be eligible, including licensed and partially-licensed soundtracks. To the extent that we’re hoping to celebrate new music from this year and bring some attention to composers’ new works, there’s a bit of an implied “honour system” here; if you decide vote for a licensed soundtrack, an explanation as to why you think it was especially fitting for the game or thoughtfully compiled would be greatly appreciated.
If you have any questions about, or wish to discuss, a soundtrack’s eligibility, please feel free to send a PM to me and I’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible. Nine times out of ten, my answer will probably be “yes”, but if you’re unsure please message me. Anything regarding a soundtrack's eligibility will be added to the list here.
-----------------------------------
Thread Features
Archive
As the thread continues to grow, an archive of many of this year’s soundtracks will be built up for people to explore. In addition to soundtracks GhaleonQ and I have found to be noteworthy, we will include every soundtrack mentioned in your posts. We will also work to include your favorite songs and your descriptions of the soundtracks. If you’re passionate about any music from this year, take this as an opportunity to spread the word!
The format is as follows:
For the 15 soundtracks that receive the most points, we will provide a brief overview of the winning composers, including discographies. This will help to highlight the individuals that created the soundtracks and to encourage people to check out their past works.
When and if possible, we will also attempt to reach out to the winning composers and let them know how they did. If they're like Austin Wintory, they may even feel compelled to join up.
So, good luck! Try to have fun when coming up with your ballots and happy listening, everyone!
-----------------------------------
Past Threads
2013 Results and Archive
2013 Voting Thread
2012 Results and Archive
2012 Voting Thread
2011 Results and Archive
2011 Voting Thread
2010 Results and Archive
2010 Voting Thread
Welcome to NeoGAF’s fifth annual video game soundtracks of the year thread! This thread will serve to create a common point of reference for NeoGAF’s favourite game soundtracks in 2014, place a spotlight on the industry’s musical talent, and expose people to great video game music that they haven’t heard before. It will also host a (hopefully) comprehensive archive of the year’s game music and other related information.
Voting Rules
For your vote, select your three favourite game soundtracks of the year and rank them in the order of your preference. Your first pick will receive 3 points, your second pick will receive 2 points, and your third pick will receive 1 point. Your Honourable Mentions will not count for any points, but will still be tallied accordingly.
Please list at least 1-2 tracks you feel are your favourites from each soundtrack you vote for, as it will make the process of building the Archive much easier.
I have decided to throw in the option for an LTTP Soundtrack Vote since I thought it would be a bit fun to look back at the past. These LTTP votes will not count for points, but if there is a soundtrack that gets a considerable number of votes, I will make mention of it/them in the results. The LTTP vote is purely for fun so it is optional, but please bear in mind that you may only mention one soundtrack for this option.
Code:
Sample Ballot
1. Game A (Will receive 3 points)
2. Game B (Will receive 2 points)
3. Game C (Will receive 1 point)
Honourable Mentions (if any)
LTTP vote (if any)If you wish to do any sort of write-ups for your vote a la the Game of the Year thread, you may do so in any way you wish. Examples of such ballots in previous years are these: Jucksalbe, Papercuts, Branny, Earthpainting, Nocturnowl, Thoraxes, Axelstream, and Yuterald. There are even more examples in previous threads linked at the bottom if you’d like to work through them to get an idea if you are relatively new to voting. If you do a write-up or make a small comment, I will go through and pick some of the most-encompassing ones to add to the Results Thread as Nert had done in previous years.
Voting will end on January 18th at 11:59 PM (PST). The votes will not be counted until after the voting period closes, so you may edit your post and change your vote as many times as you would like before then.
-----------------------------------
Ineligible Soundtracks: 2014 has seen many games which have been either re-releases, ports, remasters, or games that have seen staggered releases in different regions. Because of this, some soundtracks are ineligible for voting for various reasons. Generally, if a game is remastered or ported and there is not a substantial change to the game’s soundtrack (ex: The Last of Us Remastered; Grand Theft Auto 5 Remastered), it is not eligible.
- Regional: European members cannot vote for Bravely Default this year. Conversely, North American members cannot vote for Shin Megami Tensei IV this year. You may list these soundtracks as LTTP soundtracks at your own discretion.
- Late Ports: No late ports’ soundtracks (ex: Metal Gear Rising) are eligible for voting, full-stop. If you would like to mention a late port’s soundtrack, please mention it in your LTTP vote.
- Virtual Console / PSOne/PS2 Classics / XBLA Classics: These are only eligible for LTTP votes. No exceptions.
- HD Remasters with minimal changes: Remasters with minimal soundtrack changes, such as Grand Theft Auto 5 Remastered and The Last of Us Remastered are not eligible for point allocation this year. If you would like to vote for these Remasters, please do so in an honourable mention or LTTP vote.
- Fantranslations: If it is a fantranslation of an older game that is not from 2014, it is only eligible for an LTTP or honourable mention vote. (ex: AAI2/Prosecutor's Path)
- HD Remasters with major changes: Remasters with major soundtrack changes, such as Final Fantasy X HD, The Last of Us Vol 2, and Halo 2 Anniversary, are eligible for point allocation. Please vote for these soundtracks normally.
- Major expansions with new tracks: Expansions of some games, such as Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor, are eligible for voting. If you are voting for these soundtracks, please specify that you are voting for their expansions.
Aside from those exceptions, all soundtracks for games released in 2014 will be eligible, including licensed and partially-licensed soundtracks. To the extent that we’re hoping to celebrate new music from this year and bring some attention to composers’ new works, there’s a bit of an implied “honour system” here; if you decide vote for a licensed soundtrack, an explanation as to why you think it was especially fitting for the game or thoughtfully compiled would be greatly appreciated.
If you have any questions about, or wish to discuss, a soundtrack’s eligibility, please feel free to send a PM to me and I’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible. Nine times out of ten, my answer will probably be “yes”, but if you’re unsure please message me. Anything regarding a soundtrack's eligibility will be added to the list here.
-----------------------------------
Thread Features
Archive
As the thread continues to grow, an archive of many of this year’s soundtracks will be built up for people to explore. In addition to soundtracks GhaleonQ and I have found to be noteworthy, we will include every soundtrack mentioned in your posts. We will also work to include your favorite songs and your descriptions of the soundtracks. If you’re passionate about any music from this year, take this as an opportunity to spread the word!
The format is as follows:
- Game Title (album information linked)
- Composer(s) (composer information linked)
- Sample Tracks (song titles with links to YouTube, Bandcamp and/or other appropriate websites)
For the 15 soundtracks that receive the most points, we will provide a brief overview of the winning composers, including discographies. This will help to highlight the individuals that created the soundtracks and to encourage people to check out their past works.
When and if possible, we will also attempt to reach out to the winning composers and let them know how they did. If they're like Austin Wintory, they may even feel compelled to join up.
So, good luck! Try to have fun when coming up with your ballots and happy listening, everyone!
-----------------------------------
Past Threads
2013 Results and Archive
2013 Voting Thread
2012 Results and Archive
2012 Voting Thread
2011 Results and Archive
2011 Voting Thread
2010 Results and Archive
2010 Voting Thread
