Due to the staggering proliferation of video games, it’s no doubt the popularity of the game soundtrack and game music in general is rising. Even more so, the game soundtrack remix is starting to show in popularity as a both a creative tangent and a statement of worth or notoriety.
In the past, game remixes were largely unofficial, usually amateurish, niche projects. Who wanted to hear a techno Paperboy theme remix, or a disco Contra? Well, a few people for sure, but it’s only been recently that more and more large companies are using remixes and the remix community to promote high name projects. These commercially endorsed outings aren’t usually as chancy or risk-taking as some of the oddest of the odd homage you’ll find plundering the depths of game soundtrack remix monolith OverClocked ReMix, but it’s pretty evident the game soundtrack remix is finally getting some respect.
The past year we’ve had some interesting outings attached to big name projects. So I’ll go through a few notable ones that we’ve touched on in the past year, some obscure, some not so.
Back in March we mentioned a funky remix album for the Wii’s No More Heroes that featured a pretty obscure collection of artists and one notable Metal Gear Solid contributor Norihiko Hibino. The game was a cult hit and its music was also worthy of some fine praise.
Hot remix artist, Paul Oakenfold was asked to score Sierra’s The Bourne Conspiracy. And while the album was not really a remix album, it’s worth bringing up in this list due to the nature of Oakenfold’s repertoire and reputation; that of a remix composer…probably the biggest name in the biz these days!
The one that started the idea for assembling this article was the EA/Nettwerk release of the Mirror's Edge remix album. What’s interesting is the remixes for the theme song “Still Alive” performed by Lisa Miskovsky were released at the same time as the game. What it proves is that a company like EA recognizes the viability and credibility that a quality remix album can bring and spent the time and money to produce several remixes, helping bolster excitement for the game. The remixes here are high quality and from renowned electronica artists like Paul van Dyk and Junkie XL. And I have to give EA kudos for using a song, a piece of music as a key asset in translating their product to the masses. The “Still Alive” remixes were really the icing on the cake at that point. More companies should realize the power of music and how we as consumers relate to it.
One that came a bit out of left field but was welcome all the same was Streamline Records and DJ Tiesto’s involvement in producing a remix for Alone in the Dark: Inferno which is only available on the PS3. Like the Mirror’s Edge remix album, this track is released to coincide with the launch of the PS3 game in an effort to capture a wider audience.
Who isn’t digging Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix? Sheesh, it has “Remix” in the title so what better way to pay respect to the king of fighting games than to have 17 remixes of all the original SF2 classic songs? What’s definitely interesting about this project is Capcom enlisted not only some all-star, indie hip-hop artists like Redman, DJ QBert and Hieroglyphics, but also utilized the large fan community at OverClocked ReMix! How’s that for nifty? I doubt few games will try that approach much, but it’s extremely refreshing, uniquely inspired and entirely welcome.
And that’s what we all should remember about the remix song in general. The remix is born from inspiration; it’s born from experimentation and flights of fancy. It’s born from just wanting to be part of something that’s special to someone. That connection, that spark is something that when you aren’t ashamed to show it can really bring some attention. Big publishers, listen up! Let music be instrumental (get it?) in the promotion of your game, open up the gates a little bit and let us feel just that more special. Tell us you speak our language and that your game is worthy of our support and our money.
The quality and viability of the typical game soundtrack remix still is one of a very subjective nature; people like them for different reasons. Some are trite novelties that only hardcore fans of a game might legitimately enjoy, and some are truly inspired compositions that pay homage to the original while finding its own voice. To some that may seem polarizing while I think it just includes everybody.
Well that’s my take on it anyway. I hope to see more interesting remix projects get out in the spotlight next year. I hope to hear more inspired fans cranking out quirky remix tracks and I hope there’s more opportunity for these remixes to get out in the public eye.
Tony Porter