Why Making Music for Video Games Is the Next Big Thing for Artists

The intersection of music and video games has created exciting new avenues for artists. Making music for video games offers a unique blend of creative expression and lucrative opportunities. This article explores why composing for video games is a rapidly expanding field with significant potential for artists.

Gaming’s enormous popularity, particularly among Gen Z, significantly impacts music consumption. A Deloitte survey shows over 90% of Gen Z in the US, UK, Germany, Brazil, and Japan play video games for an average of 11.5 hours weekly. This substantial engagement translates into significant influence on their musical tastes, opening new doors for artists to connect with their fanbase.

The evolution of video game music is remarkable. From simple sound effects, it’s become complex, multi-instrumental scores, inspiring new artistic expressions and business models. Game companies have effectively become record labels, successfully releasing original music. League of Legends, for example, boasts multiple virtual bands under Riot Games, attracting millions of fans outside the game itself. In fact, it’s Chartmetric’s top-ranked video game artist, matching the Spotify popularity of established acts like Bob Marley & The Wailers and Deftones.

Why Artists Should Consider Game Music

1. Increased Exposure: Video games have massive and diverse audiences across demographics. Composing for a popular game allows artists to reach entirely new listeners. Furthermore, game soundtracks are frequently streamed on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, maximizing an artist’s reach.
2. Creative Freedom: Video game music offers substantial creative latitude. The need for unique sounds to match a game’s theme or narrative allows artists to explore new styles and sounds without the constraints of conventional hit song formulas.
3. Collaborative Opportunities: Creating game music offers collaborations with other artists and game developers. Fortnite’s collaborations with Marshmello, Travis Scott, and Ariana Grande for in-game virtual concerts exemplify the potential for creative synergy and substantial revenue.
4. Steady Revenue Stream: Unlike traditional music, game soundtracks provide a consistent revenue stream. According to SuperData, video game music generated $1.4 billion in 2020, with streaming accounting for 84%. Creating music for games can be very lucrative for artists.
5. Longevity: Game soundtracks maintain relevance for years, if not decades. Many classic game soundtracks from the 80s and 90s remain popular, demonstrating the enduring appeal and continued streaming/download potential.

The benefits of creating music for video games are numerous. Increased exposure, creative flexibility, collaboration opportunities, stable income, and the enduring nature of game soundtracks make it an appealing option for artists seeking to expand their reach and revenue. This industry is thriving, with companies successfully releasing and promoting original music. The bond between music and gaming is stronger than ever, influencing how gamers consume music. As technology improves, expect game soundtracks to grow even more innovative and integral to the gaming experience.

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