Why Audio Matters: Hacking Gamers' Memories

Is it just me, or is the music from SNES RPGs more memorable than any current day RPG music? I'm talking Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy (Kefka's laugh??) -- you don't hear music like this anymore.

Music, that when heard, makes you want to play the game or relive the memories.

Re: Why Audio Matters: Hacking Gamers' Memories

#6

Post by PeterInouye » Thu, Oct 13, 2011, 7:05 PM UTC

asianexpress wrote: post #5

Is it just me, or is the music from SNES RPGs more memorable than any current day RPG music? I'm talking Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy (Kefka's laugh??) -- you don't hear music like this anymore. Music, that when heard, makes you want to play the game or relive the memories.

So true. The SNES audio chip just had such a distinct sound, and at the time it was better than the midi on my PC! Oh the hours I spent in FF III (or FF VI as we know it now)...

Re: Why Audio Matters: Hacking Gamers' Memories

#7

Post by baddox » Thu, Oct 13, 2011, 7:22 PM UTC

asianexpress wrote: post #5

Is it just me, or is the music from SNES RPGs more memorable than any current day RPG music? I'm talking Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy (Kefka's laugh??) -- you don't hear music like this anymore. Music, that when heard, makes you want to play the game or relive the memories.

Do you mean the timbre of the instruments (obviously limited by the SNES chips), or the compositions themselves? I think the technical limitations of those consoles meant that catchy melodies were extremely important.

With modern audio, stock music can be thrown in easily, and it will sound decent and give the "epic" or cinematic feel the game designers want. But you often don't get memorable themes and relentless catchy melodies.

That said, there is some great composition in modern games. The Halo series is an obvious mention, with several memorable orchestral and piano pieces. Indie games often get closer to the composition style of the older video games you mentioned.

Re: Why Audio Matters: Hacking Gamers' Memories

#8

Post by asianexpress » Thu, Oct 13, 2011, 7:51 PM UTC

baddox wrote: post #7

asianexpress wrote: post #5

Is it just me, or is the music from SNES RPGs more memorable than any current day RPG music? I'm talking Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy (Kefka's laugh??) -- you don't hear music like this anymore. Music, that when heard, makes you want to play the game or relive the memories.

Do you mean the timbre of the instruments (obviously limited by the SNES chips), or the compositions themselves? I think the technical limitations of those consoles meant that catchy melodies were extremely important. With modern audio, stock music can be thrown in easily, and it will sound decent and give the "epic" or cinematic feel the game designers want. But you often don't get memorable themes and relentless ca…

I would say the compositions -- but perhaps it is due to the technical limitations as you mentioned. I can definitely say the compositions because I think they sound even more amazing in the hands of an orchestra, or in piano collections. Maybe I'm just a Nobuo Uematsu fan

I do agree that the Halo music is pretty good and memorable (especially the whole chanting monk deal).

Re: Why Audio Matters: Hacking Gamers' Memories

#9

Post by PeterInouye » Thu, Oct 13, 2011, 8:00 PM UTC

baddox wrote: post #7

asianexpress wrote: post #5

Is it just me, or is the music from SNES RPGs more memorable than any current day RPG music? I'm talking Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy (Kefka's laugh??) -- you don't hear music like this anymore. Music, that when heard, makes you want to play the game or relive the memories.

Do you mean the timbre of the instruments (obviously limited by the SNES chips), or the compositions themselves? I think the technical limitations of those consoles meant that catchy melodies were extremely important. With modern audio, stock music can be thrown in easily, and it will sound decent and give the "epic" or cinematic feel the game designers want. But you often don't get memorable themes and relentless ca…

In some ways, both! The music definitely did have to work with the limitations of the SNES, but that audio chip (at the time) blew everything Sega had out of the water. I agree with asianexpress- Nobuo Uematsu is just awesome. But the sound of the trumpets on FFVI sounds so unique to the SNES too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BPGle3hTWk&feature=relat...

Re: Why Audio Matters: Hacking Gamers' Memories

#10

Post by amalcon » Thu, Oct 13, 2011, 8:01 PM UTC

See also: Everything by John Williams. Try thinking of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, or Jaws. You're thinking of the music, now, aren't you?