Music has played a significant role in video games, shaping player experiences and enhancing immersion. While technological advancements have transformed many aspects of gaming, according to a recent report from Konvoy, the evolution of game music has largely been driven by improvements in hardware rather than dedicated innovation in music production. Over the years, video game soundtracks have evolved from simple electronic tones to fully orchestrated compositions, standing on par with traditional media. However, despite these advancements, further large-scale innovation in-game music is unlikely in the coming years.

The Evolution of Music in Video Games

History of Music in Gaming

The development of video game music has been closely tied to technological progress. In the early days of gaming during the 1970s and 1980s, hardware limitations dictated the types of sounds that could be produced. Video game consoles relied on basic electronic circuits and chipsets that could only generate a limited range of tones. This led to the creation of simple yet recognizable chiptune melodies, such as those found in classic 8-bit games like Super Mario Bros.

The introduction of CD-based gaming consoles in the 1990s marked a significant shift in how music was integrated into games. With increased storage capacity, developers could incorporate higher-quality soundtracks and voice acting, making game narratives more immersive. Games such as Final Fantasy VII showcased these advancements, bringing music closer in quality to traditional compositions. However, despite this progress, the audio processing capabilities of consoles were still constrained by hardware limitations.

By the 2000s, technological improvements allowed for real-time audio processing and surround sound. The release of consoles like the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube introduced advanced sound technologies such as Dolby Digital and DTS, which enhanced the depth and realism of game audio.

With each subsequent console generation, computing power increased significantly, allowing for more dynamic and interactive soundscapes. By the mid-2010s, video game music production had largely adopted the same digital audio workstations (DAWs) used in professional music studios. The rise of spatial audio and its integration into virtual reality games further demonstrated that hardware was no longer a limiting factor in delivering high-quality game music.

Data from Konvoy: The Sound of Music

The Role of Music in Modern Games

Today, video game soundtracks are widely recognized as an essential component of gaming experiences. The introduction of the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media in 2023, won by Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök, highlights the growing influence of game music in the broader entertainment industry.

Music in games serves multiple purposes, primarily falling into two categories: original soundtracks (OSTs) and background music (BGM). OSTs typically include main themes, character motifs, and compositions for significant moments or cutscenes. These pieces are often designed to be memorable and can be appreciated as standalone music outside the game context. In contrast, BGM consists of ambient or atmospheric tracks that play during gameplay, subtly enhancing the mood and tone without drawing attention away from the experience.

While OSTs are often complex and structured, BGM is usually more repetitive and adaptive to in-game events. Unlike music in film or television, game music has the unique ability to dynamically respond to player actions. This interactivity allows for a deeper sense of immersion, making the auditory experience more engaging. However, despite these innovations, the level of investment in game music varies widely across the industry.

67th Grammy Awards for Best Score Soundtrack

The Future of Music Innovation in Gaming

While advancements in gaming hardware have significantly improved audio quality, further large-scale innovation in music technology for video games appears unlikely in the near future. The primary reason for this is that music-related costs remain a relatively small portion of a game’s overall budget compared to other expenses such as marketing and game development. Even among major game developers, there is a broad range in the amount of unique music included in a game, with most titles featuring less than ten hours of original compositions. Some high-budget games may include over twenty hours of unique music, but this does not necessarily correlate with commercial success.

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) have the potential to introduce new capabilities, such as adaptive and interactive soundtracks. However, these innovations are unlikely to lead to the emergence of billion-dollar enterprises focused solely on music production for games. Developers have the flexibility to determine how much they invest in music, and there is no strong financial incentive to significantly increase these budgets. Instead, future advancements in-game music are expected to focus on making high-quality production more accessible rather than revolutionizing the industry.

Final Thoughts

Music remains a vital tool for enhancing immersion in video games, and technological advancements have allowed game composers to create increasingly sophisticated soundtracks. Over the decades, improvements in hardware have removed many of the limitations that once constrained video game music, making it comparable to traditional compositions in terms of quality.

However, while AI and AR may introduce new possibilities for interactive and adaptive sound, there is no indication that large-scale innovation in this field will attract significant investment. Instead, future developments in-game music are likely to focus on cost efficiency and accessibility rather than groundbreaking new technologies. As a result, while music will continue to play an essential role in gaming, its evolution is expected to follow a more gradual path rather than a disruptive transformation.

Source: Konvoy