9 Occurrences When Games & Music Coincided

The worlds of video games and popular music intersect more often than many realize. A strong lead song is becoming increasingly important to a game’s success, similar to how music features prominently in blockbuster film franchises. This is largely due to collaborations with major artists such as Katy Perry, Imagine Dragons, Skrillex, and Paul McCartney.

This is a relatively new phenomenon, which can sometimes lead to some unintentionally humorous interviews with pop stars who may not readily acknowledge their contributions to game soundtracks.

Here are nine examples of well-known musicians creating music for video games. Some might surprise you!

Imagine Dragons: Warriors (League of Legends)

The League of Legends community boasts a massive fanbase. Imagine Dragons’ “Warriors,” created for the 2014 Season World Championship, is an intense, high-energy anthem.

Riot Games produced the official music video, a tribute to the game’s players and fans, depicting balls of light representing players engaging in battle. The song was performed live at the 2014 World Championship Tournament in South Korea. Initially described as a “creative collaboration,” the song was specifically written for Riot Games and the official League of Legends YouTube channel.

Interestingly, the song’s uses extend far beyond the game, becoming the official theme for the WWE Survivor Series, appearing in trailers for films like Wonder Woman, serving as the official song for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, and finally, gracing the soundtrack for the movie Divergent.

Read also: From Daft Punk to Skrillex: 17 Landmark Electronic Music Releases (2025)

Special mention: Glitch Mob – RISE (LoL Worlds 2018)

Chvrches: Death Stranding (Death Stranding)

Death Stranding, by Hideo Kojima, exemplifies the increasing convergence of video games and mainstream media. Kojima Studios’ game features Norman Reedus, and each trailer has unveiled more A-list actors. The game increasingly resembles a movie.

A track listing for the Death Stranding: Timefall soundtrack was released ahead of the game’s launch. The only Chvrches song included is “Death Stranding,” released on October 1st and playing at the game’s conclusion. Chvrches described Kojima as a visionary and expressed their honor at participating. The song’s lyrics convey themes of loss and despair, hinting at a dark and intense album.
A Spotify playlist featuring music from the game’s trailers is also available. Spotify.

Bring Me The Horizon: Ludens (Death Stranding)

“Ludens,” from the Death Stranding soundtrack, marks a distinct departure for Bring Me The Horizon. The band’s frontman, Oli Sykes, described the song’s creation under a tight deadline during a European tour. The song’s inspiration comes from Kojima’s philosophy regarding creativity as humanity’s greatest asset, even in the face of potential doom.

Leona Lewis: My Hands (Final Fantasy XIII)

The Final Fantasy series has a history of collaborating with high-profile artists, beginning with Final Fantasy XIII. Square Enix’s 2009 collaboration with Leona Lewis featured her song “My Hands” from her album *Echo*, playing during the game’s end credits and in an extended trailer. The promotional material featuring Lewis playing the game is notably awkward.

Skrillex & Utada Hikaru: Face My Fears (Kingdom Hearts)

Kingdom Hearts 3 features a track produced by Skrillex. Square Enix collaborated with both Utada Hikaru and Skrillex to create “Face My Fears.” The song’s dance break offers a contrast to the game’s usual melancholic ballads. Both English and Japanese versions were released, and Utada expressed interest in a remix. Skrillex incorporates the song into his concerts.

Paul McCartney: Hope for the Future (Destiny)

Sir Paul McCartney contributed to Bungie’s Destiny, collaborating with composers who worked on the Halo franchise. The soundtrack was partly recorded at Abbey Road Studios. McCartney wrote an original song for the game’s closing credits, featured in a music video with in-game footage.

Ariana Grande & Katy Perry: Touch It | Immortal Flame (Final Fantasy Brave Exvius)

Final Fantasy Brave Exvius features Ariana Grande’s “Touch It” (an orchestrated version) and Katy Perry’s participation. Both artists appear as playable characters. The orchestral remix was created to fit the game’s world.

P!nk & Eminem: Won’t Back Down (Call of Duty: Black Ops)

“Won’t Back Down” by P!nk and Eminem was a hidden Easter egg in Call of Duty: Black Ops’ zombie mode. It played after activating three red telephones in a specific map. The song was also featured in promotional material for the game, and in other films.

Florence + The Machine: Stand By Me (Final Fantasy XV)

Florence + The Machine’s contribution to Final Fantasy XV’s soundtrack is noted for its seamless integration. Florence Welch discussed her work in an interview, focusing on her creative process and how her music complemented the game’s world. The game included a cover of “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King and two other original tracks.