Not "exclusively" but a lot of my music is from videogames. Most of it is remixes and chiptunes from classic themes from 8 bits era (C64 mostly) and I listen a lot of compilations of 16 bits music, particularly Amiga. I also love Akiko Shikata's music, Ar Tonelico hymnos and lots of her stuff. And from time to time I listen things like Mass Effect, Halo, Xenogears, WoW or Neotokyo.
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People who listen to video game OSTs and nothing else
- Thread starter SystemBug
- Start date
Many folks enjoy music based on the context they have for it. My wife is like this; I'm also like this to a lesser extent.
For example, you will enjoy video game music because you heard it in the context of a game, so listening to it reminds you of that experience. The same goes for movies. For this reason I primarily listened to video game and film soundtracks for a long time.
Then my brother took me to an Interpol concert when I was in high school, and I began to enjoy listening to Interpol albums in the same way, for the same reason: I now had some context for the music.
Today, I do most of my music discovery by going to local concerts, whatever I'm able to afford. Attempting to discover new music through services like Spotify has been impossible for me; those services are designed to play things that you already know you want to hear, and provide you with no additional context at all.
For example, you will enjoy video game music because you heard it in the context of a game, so listening to it reminds you of that experience. The same goes for movies. For this reason I primarily listened to video game and film soundtracks for a long time.
Then my brother took me to an Interpol concert when I was in high school, and I began to enjoy listening to Interpol albums in the same way, for the same reason: I now had some context for the music.
Today, I do most of my music discovery by going to local concerts, whatever I'm able to afford. Attempting to discover new music through services like Spotify has been impossible for me; those services are designed to play things that you already know you want to hear, and provide you with no additional context at all.
freenudemacusers
Member
precisely. I mean, shit, metroid prime's credit's thank andrew mackenzie, sean booth and rob brown (the latter two being autechre), and the whole soundtrack sounds like amber and incunabula.
The only valid answer:
Seriously though, I respect people who love game music, but personally, I can only think of few VGM albums I listen to outside of the actual game.
Someone who only listens to that definitely triggers some questions.
I mean, its fine to listen to here and there, but to listen to nothing else...is alarming.
Shit, Ive got the Max Payne 3 OST by HEALTH on my ipod.
haha that's awesome I didnt know that
a lot of people in this thread could use some 90s Warp
freenudemacusers
Member
yeah I almost fell out of my chair when I beat the game and those names scrolled by.
I love threads like this where I realise I'm not alone in this damn universe with my video game obsessions! Yesterday it was the raining outside and gaming, this time it's the music. I went through a period of listening solely to FF music when I first got into the series 3 years ago.
I love video game music but it's not solely that for my listening tastes. I also love Eastern classical and folk music (Turkish, Persian and Pakistani). Also Trance, dubstep, electro and EDM music in general is another a favourite genre of mine.
Detest pop music.
I love video game music but it's not solely that for my listening tastes. I also love Eastern classical and folk music (Turkish, Persian and Pakistani). Also Trance, dubstep, electro and EDM music in general is another a favourite genre of mine.
Detest pop music.
This thread has taken an interesting twist. As I mentioned before, my personal take on this is I wouldn't want to limit myself to one genre on music, but that's what is right for me, I guess. That being said, even the people in here calling people culturally immature aren't saying you should listen to Top 40 music or else you're dumb. My two cents on this is I think anyone who limits themselves to one genre of music (not just video game music) really would be doing themselves a favor if they would kind of branch out and see what else is out there. For one, these video game scores weren't written in a vacuum. These guys and gals have many and varied influences and listening to those can help you appreciate the music you love even more. For instance, listen to some of that crazy Castlevania music and then go check out some fugues on organs and get a real feel where that comes from. Or don't. In the end, it's your choice, but it's pretty interesting to dig into music and see how related things are with various styles and such.
Holy Order Sol
Member
no you see validation is more important than your own enjoyment
MaverickHunterAsh
Member
Why is it "alarming," and who made you the gatekeeper on what is fine and what is not? Why is it any of your business whatsoever what people besides yourself listen to?
The only thing that's alarming is the number and gall of the music snobs in this thread. Good god.
crap! I always forget about the validation!
man this thread keeps delivering.
malboroking
Banned
Exactly, autechre is great. I also loved the prime soundtrack. There is so much music out there that does not conform to conventional western pop (not that there is anything wrong with pop music) outside of just video games.
Synopsis: nothing wrong with liking video game music, but you are limiting yourself if that is all you listen to.
K
kittens
Unconfirmed Member
Yeah, I've always found it weird, but whatever. People can listen to whatever they want. It's generally good if people are able to look past whatever narrow tastes they may have, but that's up to them.
ThatChairMan
Member
Music is music. I don't really know if someone can classify video game music as its own genre, but I usually associate immaturity when people start making statements along the lines of "I won't accept music if it is/isn't from a video game." It annoys me when a game soundtrack comes up and a non-gamer friend praises it, then retracts his statement after I mention it's from a game. Vice versa as well, when a gamer friend trashes non-gaming music solely because it isn't from a game.
Then you're probably listening to the wrong stuff.
Check out Deltron 3030, Madlib. Quasimoto, MF Doom, Kool Keith, etc. All good stuff.
Yeah, I got into Daft Punk thanks to Interstella and Tron, and I can occasionally find myself listening to RAM. What you posted was not bad, and I can see the similarities with it and video game tunes, but there's a tendency for a lot of electronic music to be repetitive. One thing I like about video game music is that it will often switch up styles between songs and sometimes within the same song.
Sorry, you may feel it's not an insult, but for the majority of people, maturity is a very loaded term. You're suggesting that because I only listen to video game music, my taste has not developed since I was a child, and the only way to fix this is to listen to "real" music. It is insulting, and you're the one who first showed the lack of respect.
Comparing us to people who only play Call of Duty is a poor analogy because only a few people in here only listen to music from a single series. My music collection has over 5000 songs and 336 albums all from dozens of games covering numerous genres and styles. Sorry if you feel that's tiny and restricted.
malboroking
Banned
And country, because fuck country! /s
I'll never understand people dismissing entire genres. Country and Rap aren't my favorite, but there's good music everywhere.
"Only"? Hell no. A lot of it? Hell yes.
As long as it's good (read: as long as I like how it sounds) I don't care if it's a vocal song, a soundtrack, epic/trailer music, something purposefully dissonant but cool, some beats made with a cardboard box, chiptunes, whatever.
However, fuck jazz. I sadly can't stand jazz*. Same with rap, unless you're Iwasaki Taku and like to mix it with other things like opera and blow my fucking mind.
* Exceptions do apply.
As long as it's good (read: as long as I like how it sounds) I don't care if it's a vocal song, a soundtrack, epic/trailer music, something purposefully dissonant but cool, some beats made with a cardboard box, chiptunes, whatever.
However, fuck jazz. I sadly can't stand jazz*. Same with rap, unless you're Iwasaki Taku and like to mix it with other things like opera and blow my fucking mind.
* Exceptions do apply.
malboroking
Banned
This is simply not true. Certain genres of EM are repetitive (by nature of the genre) but they are hardly the majority.
Mechanized
Member
The people I know that only listen to videogame music do so because they cannot relate to anything else.
Game music can be moving and beautiful, and I don't think it's better or worse than any genre.
But I think if you ONLY listen to videogame music you're missing out.
Game music can be moving and beautiful, and I don't think it's better or worse than any genre.
But I think if you ONLY listen to videogame music you're missing out.
Lordwindowlicker
Member
I couldn't possibly listen to game music exclusively, but I DO listen to it and collect game OSTs.
www.rateyourmusic.com/~lwindowlkr
^^ My 'Rate Your Music' Page that has all the cds that I own.
As for people who do listen to it exclusively.. I couldn't begin to understand it, but whatever makes you happy.
www.rateyourmusic.com/~lwindowlkr
^^ My 'Rate Your Music' Page that has all the cds that I own.
As for people who do listen to it exclusively.. I couldn't begin to understand it, but whatever makes you happy.
freenudemacusers
Member
anticipated a load of aphex twin, was not wrong.
I really can't get behind the notion of dismissing a whole genre of music. This just says to me that you've heard very little the genre has to offer. And saying something like "Why would I take time to explore a genre of music if I don't like that genre of music." just makes you come off as a stubborn jerk.
As someone who once made a website about game music, it has a few things going for it, such as generally dominant melodies instead of lyrics, and positive association with gaming or general childhood experiences. Game music is particularly good at exposing young people to a wide range of music styles and, later in life, might help to serve as a gateway to classical or jazz music, or orchestral music generally, which isn't really a bad thing. I do find myself listening to a lot less game music these days, and a lot more other instrumental works.
I'm currently listening to Yo-Yo Ma's Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano, which is highly recommended if you like the old Squaresoft arranged albums, particularly for the Romancing SaGa series.
Other albums to consider if you like game music: The Guitar Trio by Paco de Lucia, John McLaughlin, and Al Di Meola; and anything by Thomas Bergersen/Two Steps From Hell or the late Johnny Costa.
I'm currently listening to Yo-Yo Ma's Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano, which is highly recommended if you like the old Squaresoft arranged albums, particularly for the Romancing SaGa series.
Other albums to consider if you like game music: The Guitar Trio by Paco de Lucia, John McLaughlin, and Al Di Meola; and anything by Thomas Bergersen/Two Steps From Hell or the late Johnny Costa.
VanillaCakeIsBurning
Member
I find it ironic that people call others immature for not listening to music that they don't have any particular interest in.
It doesn't seem like this applies at all to the people throwing stones.
It doesn't seem like this applies at all to the people throwing stones.
That's just been my experience so far. You're welcome to link me the music that you feel better represents the genre. Unlike a few people here, I'm not willing to dismiss one form of music as any worse than what I like.
freenudemacusers
Member
Well you might like Matmos and Black Dog
http://youtu.be/yUJYO4N2mYk
http://youtu.be/r9OrWi-NOIc
Matmos especially, they change style remarkably track-to-track .
SpacePirate Ridley
Member
Im not a music band/one person type of guy, but I like to hear music from anyone if I like the song when i hear it somewhere, sometimes that means hearing the whole album and liking most or all of it (examples like Muse, Franz Ferdinand, etc...).
But I prefer hearing videogame and movie soundtracks, I love them. Also classical music, jazz and big band types, so lots of things that usually dont have lyrics.
For example, now we are working at the studio with a game that uses some tributes to street fighter so Ive been hearing street fighter 2 medleys while drawing backgrounds, it puts me in the right mood.
Oh, and theme park soundtracks (yeah, yeah, that IS strange), I love hearing my disneyland 50 anniversary special edition OST anywhere I go (6 CDs with the whole history of Disneyland music). It makes me feel fuzzy inside, but that becuase im a huge theme park fan.
But I prefer hearing videogame and movie soundtracks, I love them. Also classical music, jazz and big band types, so lots of things that usually dont have lyrics.
For example, now we are working at the studio with a game that uses some tributes to street fighter so Ive been hearing street fighter 2 medleys while drawing backgrounds, it puts me in the right mood.
Oh, and theme park soundtracks (yeah, yeah, that IS strange), I love hearing my disneyland 50 anniversary special edition OST anywhere I go (6 CDs with the whole history of Disneyland music). It makes me feel fuzzy inside, but that becuase im a huge theme park fan.
Probably 50% of my music is video games OSTs, primarily because most of my listening happens while working and I need something not lyrical. The other reason is because discovery is so natural when you are playing games anyway. For me, to discover my non-game music, I either hear it on a radio program (but I mainly listen to talk shows) or very rarely get music recommendations from friends (more likely to discuss books than music).
All this to say I mainly listen to VG music but not because I'm some kind of basement dweller.
All this to say I mainly listen to VG music but not because I'm some kind of basement dweller.
eot
Banned
I assume you mean Bach's suites. You should check out Mischa Maisky's recording of it, I think it's better.
Here's one for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnXVIsMimHY
Personally I think repetitive music can be quite powerful though, Black Metal is a good example.
Terareflection
Member
I just listen to what I think sounds good. I like Lady Gaga, but I also like Madoka Magica's osts.
Stabby McSter
Member
everyone here dismissing specific genres hurts my soul
I think it's strange any time I hear someone say they only like one kind of thing when there's so much variety to experience. It's like a person saying they only eat pizza.
Lord Phol
Member
I do enjoy alot of VG music and there's stuff there you won't find in "mainstream"-music. I've never been a crazy about music in general, or fanatic about bands and artists the way most people are. Not to say music hasn't had a big impact in my life, I listen to my spotify playlist daily, but I've never had much interest in going to concerts and the like (even though it can be fun). I usually don't listen to much VG-music outside of the games they are in, but recently I've been building up a nice VG youtube playlist for those nights when you are just casually browsing the web, reading a manga/comic or playing some arpg.
I don't agree with the people in this thread who think you have to like all genres or you're close minded or a jerk. Everyone's taste is different, whether it's music, movies, games, women, food, sex positions, pokemons or what have you. Of course being a bit open minded is never wrong but you can't expect someone to enjoy everything in life. Also there are so many genres and sub-genres in music I bet there's some genre you just won't like no matter how hard you try.
I don't agree with the people in this thread who think you have to like all genres or you're close minded or a jerk. Everyone's taste is different, whether it's music, movies, games, women, food, sex positions, pokemons or what have you. Of course being a bit open minded is never wrong but you can't expect someone to enjoy everything in life. Also there are so many genres and sub-genres in music I bet there's some genre you just won't like no matter how hard you try.
I can listen to pretty much anything but i dont hide it that i listen to video game ost and jazz the most ...maybe the only thing that i sometimes just cant listen to is rap and the few songs that i liked are for example stan from eminem but mainly because of the woman and not because of eminems monotone talking. But yeah for the most part i survive everything 
Liquidsnake
Banned
Is there a good site where i can listen to OST's?
Lumpy Onion
Member
I listen to 80% videogame/movie/anime soundtracks. The other 20 is anything from classical to Aaba. For me I do most of my music listening while drawing or running so I am attracted to the melody heard in soundtracks to ispire what im doing. I guess I'm "immature" in that way. (Not really)
Some nauseating music snobbery in this thread btw.
Some nauseating music snobbery in this thread btw.