Video Game Music
Ongoing coverage on Video Game Music.
Latest coverage
Evening Reading - July 17, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading recaps various gaming news items, including updates on Battlefield 6, Elden Ring mods, and The Elder Scrolls 6. Bethesda confirmed remasters for Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, a new Fallout project with Obsidian, and that Fallout 5 is in pre-production. Konami has revived Metal Gear social accounts, and the Lies of P Complete Edition is heading to Nintendo Switch 2.
Final Fantasy 10 is turning 25, and I've gathered the best merch worth collecting for fans of the iconic RPG
This article celebrates the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy 10, released on July 19, 2001, for the PlayStation 2. It highlights various merchandise options for fans, including a vinyl soundtrack set, a music box featuring the song 'Suteki Da Ne,' TCG accessories with characters like Tidus and Yuna, and new plushies available for pre-order from the official Square Enix store.
Slipknot, Rise Against added to Stage Tour — MP3s & NPCs
The music rhythm game Stage Tour will feature three new songs: "Siren" by Castle Rat, "Broken Dreams, Inc." by Rise Against, and "Phychosocial" by Slipknot. Attendees at San Diego Comic Con can obtain a special Stage Tour comic book from Dark Horse Comics. The game is scheduled for a fall 2026 release on consoles and PC, and is currently available to wishlist on Steam.
NC AMERICA TO RELEASE LINEAGE II COLLECTOR’S EDITION VINYL CELEBRATING 22ND ANNIVERSARY
NC America is releasing a collector's edition vinyl titled "Lineage II - 22 Years" to celebrate the MMORPG's 22nd anniversary. The album features 40 selected tracks from the original soundtrack, composed by Bill Brown, Jamie Christopherson, Inon Zur, and NCSOUND, and is available for pre-order with a worldwide release in November. The vinyl aims to provide a reflective musical journey through the game's iconic history.
Exclusive: Listen to one of Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy's 'most epic tracks' first here
Composer Olivier Derivière exclusively revealed 'The Fight of the Braves,' a track from the upcoming Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy soundtrack, describing it as one of the most epic pieces. The action-adventure game, set in the A Plague Tale universe, is scheduled for release on August 27, 2026, with its full soundtrack launching simultaneously.
We're not quite done with 2026, but here are 9 videogame bangers that have defined the year so far
This article highlights standout video game music and soundtracks from the first seven months of 2026, despite a challenging year for the industry. It features tracks from games like Arcade, Mewgenics, Crimson Desert, and Paralives, praising their diverse musical styles and emotional impact.
Brasil Game Show 2026 will feature three exclusive performances by Shota Nakama and the Video Game Orchestra
Brasil Game Show 2026 will feature three exclusive performances by musician Shota Nakama and the Video Game Orchestra on October 10, 11, and 12. The performances will include rearranged soundtracks from popular video games with rock elements. The event is also expanding its infrastructure to host more games, booths, and gaming stations.
Metal Gear Solid Composer's Studio Ghibli Jazz Album Announced
Scarlet Moon Records announced Prescription for Sleep: Ghibli, a new jazz arrangement album featuring music from Studio Ghibli films. The album, performed by Norihiko Hibino and AYAKI as GENTLE LOVE, will be released on July 20, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Spirited Away. Three tracks are currently available for pre-order on Bandcamp.
What was the first videogame song that you ever heard?
This article explores the personal impact of videogame music, starting with the author's first memorable experience with Killer Instinct Gold on the Nintendo 64. It discusses how various game soundtracks have shaped musical tastes and invites readers to share their own formative VGM memories.
Boss themes, sagas, and Goblin Jazz: How World of Warcraft's music reflects a shifting Azeroth
Blizzard Entertainment's music team discusses the evolution of World of Warcraft's soundtrack, from its early ambient roots to the thematic depth of the current Worldsoul Saga. Lead Composer Leo Kaliski, Music Director Derek Duke, and Principal Producer Charlotte Pyle highlight how music has become integral to the MMORPG's narrative and player experience, balancing nostalgia with innovation, including experimental pieces like the Goblin Jazz album.
Evening Reading - July 3, 2026
This edition of Shacknews' Evening Reading covers various gaming news and features, including updates on LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Dead Space, and upcoming download deals for PC and Nintendo platforms. The article also highlights Shackmaps, a collection of interactive video game maps, and features a segment on video game music with a focus on Bloodborne.
Evening Interviews
Composer Jesper Kyd, known for his work on Assassin's Creed, reflects on his three-decade career and his passion for creating new musical experiences. The interview touches upon his creative process and the evolution of game music.
"I get very excited about trying to invent something new" – Assassin's Creed composer Jesper Kyd reflects on his three-decade career
Composer Jesper Kyd reflects on his three-decade career, highlighting his work on franchises like Assassin's Creed and Hitman. He expresses excitement for creating new themes and innovating in game music, while also acknowledging the practical need for sequels and tested concepts in the industry.
Nintendo’s newer games from Good-Feel are missing this important thing
This article analyzes the music in recent games developed by Good-Feel for Nintendo, arguing that titles like Kirby's Epic Yarn and Yoshi's Woolly World excelled due to unique and atmospheric soundtracks. In contrast, newer games like Yoshi's Crafted World and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book are criticized for relying too heavily on remixes of the main theme, resulting in less memorable and less atmospheric experiences. The composer Tomoya Tomita's departure after Yoshi's Woolly World is highlighted as a significant factor in this perceived decline in musical quality.
Pre-Orders Open For Akira Yamaoka’s Return to Silent Hill Soundtrack on Vinyl
Laced Records and Room 318 Productions are releasing the vinyl soundtrack for the upcoming film 'Return to Silent Hill,' composed by Akira Yamaoka. The 2LP set features 29 remastered tracks selected by Yamaoka, with an exclusive edition on 'Fog World' blend effect discs. The score aims to capture the psychological horror and fragile beauty characteristic of the Silent Hill series.
Sonic Frontiers soundtrack surpasses 300 million streams
The soundtrack for SEGA's Sonic Frontiers has surpassed 300 million streams across various music platforms. SEGA sound musician Tomoya Ohtani shared the milestone on X, highlighting the success of making game soundtracks legally available for fans.
SEGA fête les 35 ans de Sonic the Hedgehog avec un Stream anniversaire exceptionnel
SEGA celebrated the 35th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog with a special anniversary stream. The event featured surprise announcements and releases, including Sonic Frontiers – Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch 2, updates for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds with new characters and a world championship, and gameplay reveals for SONIC PICO PARK. Additionally, Steam sales for the Sonic franchise were highlighted, along with new collaborations and a Sonic Live in Concert event.
Tiny Metal 2 Adds Demon Slayer Composer Go Shiina
Area 35 announced that award-winning composer Go Shiina, known for his work on Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, will create the music for Tiny Metal 2. Shiina has composed an orchestral score to enhance the game's battlefield drama and character stories. Tiny Metal 2 will feature grid-based tactical warfare with new naval combat and is set to launch in spring 2027 for PC via Steam.
'I was like, am I gonna pass out on stage?': Final Fantasy 14's rock band on transcending from videogame music to on-stage at the UK's biggest rock and metal festival
Final Fantasy 14's in-house rock band, The Primals, led by composer Masayoshi Soken, discusses their experience performing at the UK's Download Festival. The band members, including Michael-Christopher Koji Fox and GUNN, shared their excitement and exhaustion from the high-energy set, noting how videogame music and rock music have become increasingly intertwined.
Doom soundtrack composer Bobby Prince dies aged 81
Bobby Prince, the composer behind the iconic soundtracks for Doom, Doom II, Wolfenstein 3D, and Duke Nukem 3D, has died at the age of 81. His innovative work helped define an era of gaming and influenced generations of players, with his contributions to Doom being preserved in the Library of Congress.
