Video game soundtracks have been making an impact on the music charts since the success of the soundtrack for arcade game Out Run in 1986. Composed by Hiroshi Kawaguchi, the Out Run soundtrack was a commercial and critical success. Video game soundtracks are specifically designed to enhance the gaming experience and are often created by talented and unique composers such as Nobuo Uematsu, Koji Kondo, and Yoko Shimomura. The soundtracks can also be incredibly diverse, spanning many genres. They have made significant impact on the music industry, with the soundtrack for the Halo 2 game making history as the highest-grossing video game soundtrack of all time. In the future, as gaming becomes more popular, video game soundtracks are expected to continue to make waves in the music industry.

Gaming and Music: How Video Game Soundtracks Are Taking Over the Charts

The Rise of Video Game Soundtracks

For decades, video games have been an incredibly influential form of entertainment. With the increasing popularity of gaming, it’s no surprise that video game soundtracks would find their way onto the music charts.

The first video game soundtrack to make an impact on the charts was the soundtrack for the 1986 arcade game, Out Run. Composed by Hiroshi Kawaguchi, the soundtrack was a critical and commercial success. Since then, video game soundtracks have continued to grow in popularity.

The Appeal of Video Game Soundtracks

So, what is it about video game soundtracks that makes them so appealing? There are a few factors at play here.

First, video game soundtracks are specifically designed to enhance the gaming experience. They’re not just background music – they’re a key part of the game’s atmosphere and can contribute to the overall enjoyment of the game.

Second, video game soundtracks often feature incredibly talented composers who create unique and memorable music. Some of the best-known composers include Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy), Koji Kondo (Super Mario Bros.), and Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts).

Finally, video game soundtracks can be incredibly diverse. From orchestral arrangements to electronic beats, video game music spans many genres and can appeal to a wide variety of listeners.

The Impact on the Music Industry

Video game soundtracks began to make a significant impact on the music industry in the early 2000s. The soundtrack for the game, Halo 2, became the highest-grossing video game soundtrack of all time upon its release in 2004.

Since then, video game soundtracks have continued to make a splash on the charts. In 2018, the soundtrack for the game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, debuted at #20 on the Billboard 200 chart. Later that same year, the soundtrack for the game, Celeste, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.

The Future of Video Game Soundtracks

As gaming continues to become more popular, it’s likely that video game soundtracks will continue to make waves in the music industry. In fact, some artists have even begun to incorporate video game music into their own work.

In 2020, rapper Travis Scott performed a virtual concert in the video game, Fortnite. The concert was a huge success, with over 12 million players tuning in to watch. Following the concert, Scott released a single, “The Scotts,” which sampled music from the game.

Overall, it’s clear that video game soundtracks are more than just background music. They’re a vital part of the gaming experience and have the potential to stand on their own as works of art. As the video game industry grows, so too will the impact of video game soundtracks on the music industry.