Aground Zero Music Dev Log 2 – Designing Orbit

Welcome to Music Dev Log #2 for Aground Zero. If you missed the first blog, you can find it here.

As I mentioned before, I really enjoy some devlogs and do not feel that music is highlighted or valued as much in games anymore. So, I’m doing these to change that instead of complaining.

I’m starting the music design Orbit which I have titled “Over the the Earth”.

Typically before writing a note, I need to think of what the music title will be. This will eliminate having to re-name a folder or software files later and keeps the process copacetic.

It used to be difficult to try and come up with names but for inspiration, I found that perusing through game magazines spark cognitive wheels.

For this piece, the reference is “Mass Effect” – Main Theme. (Everyone loses their freaking minds here) I know how popular the game is. However, it was mentioned on the audio asset list (which EVERY game developer should be using)  that they wanted something “orchestral and epic”.

So, as a solid communicator, I  wanted to double check to ensure I did not miss anything and I explained that, the piece isn’t “epic “(i.e. BIG HUGE and BOMBASTIC). It’s very relaxed and there are not many orchestral instruments (if any) in this reference theme. The piece has a synth drone and some light choirs with other synth elements. So, I  inquired if this is the right reference for Orbit track and if it was the tempo, pace and mood they were thinking.

The project lead confirmed that it was the right reference for the general tempo and mood. However, they would like me to to experiment with more orchestral instruments (because they felt like orchestral instruments always go well in space) The project lead went on to explain that the track should definitely be more relaxed – as they don’t have a lot of action planned in Orbit right now.  In Aground Zero, the player gets to build a spaceship and space station and look down on the planet Earth.

Note: Music in the video below is not the new music! It is from the original Aground Soundtrack.

Lastly they explained that by “epic”, they meant something awe-inspiring, not tense/action packed.

Whew! What a relief. I am glad I confirmed and asked. If I just went off trying to make something like Lorne Balfe or Henry Jackman, I would have been way off! However, this will bode to be interesting as all the previous pieces of Aground Zero, including pieces from the original  Aground soundtrack, do not have any orchestral instruments at all. Yay for the project lead wanting me to experiment. As a video game composer, this is the coolest thing you could ask for but cohesion is one of the practices maintained for game projects. The focus is to seamlessly blend the music with the other artforms (story, mechanics and graphics) as well as maintain a subconscious momentum for the player to not pull them out of the experience.

And so, we begin building an orchestral palette on top of the sound palette that I have already established five tracks into the game.

Custom music matters. Don’t underestimate it.

Until then, the Aground Zero Original Soundtrack is available for pre-order.

And don’t forget to play the game!  New Demos are updated almost bi-monthly. Beta Multi-player is now available!

If you’re interested in more of my work you can Follow on Spotify and add some of my work to your VGM Playlist

License tracks for your game – https://chasebethea.gumroad.com/

Thanks for reading. Keep it here for the next one.

Happy Developing