EA Game Soundtracks As DLC?

Downloadable music has made music-specific games, like Rock Band, essentially self-renewing, as new tracks to play are popping up all the time. But when MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo talked to EA music guru Steve Schnur (we talked to him, too), he asked him when we'll see the ability to change up the soundtracks of other games with DLC.

“You’re going to see it in 2009,” he said. He said that by “Madden ‘10” gamers can expect some of the “broader-based” EA games (not just any music titles) to be able to “continually recommend” new music that can be downloaded to enhance a soundtrack.

That makes connected video gaming sound kind of like iTunes, huh? But I'll ask you guys the same question Totilo asks: would you pay for that? What's it worth to you?

EA: Next Year’s Non-Music Games Will Feature DLC-Enabled Soundtracks [MTV Multiplayer]

EA has revealed the soundtrack listing for Madden NFL 09, the most important series in the history of video game soundtracks. Is that right? Did Madden usher in a new age of music in video games? EA's Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing Steve Schnur seems to think so.

“Madden NFL revolutionized the industry by making music of multiple genres – from both established acts and brand-new artists – an essential emotional component of the videogame experience and the NFL season itself... Not only have we changed the gaming culture forever, we continue to move the needle musically for millions of people around the world. Madden NFL will always be recognized as the game that made the music matter in videogames.”

So what's on this most important of soundtracks? Disturbed, Franz Ferdinand, The All-American Rejects, The Offspring, Busta Rhymes with Linkin Park..the usual suspects really. Expect EA to make a huge deal out of them though, with viral videos, a special issue of Billboard magazine, and beginning the week of August 4th they'll be a different Madden artist performing each night on a "popular late night show". Hit the jump for more details, along with the full 26-song track listing.

Video Games Live Gets CD Release

Soon appearing on the souvenir tables at Video Games Live events around the world, EMI has announced the first CD release for the video game music event, Video Games Live: Volume One. No longer will fans be forced to choose between a crappy t-shirt or an overpriced program guide (*eyes program guide on the shelf with spite*)! The full CD should be appearing on iTunes soon (perhaps today), with the full CD release and bonus tracks spaced out to coincide with concert events in San Diego later this month and Leipzig in August.

So what's on the tracklist? Eleven games are represented, from the whimsical Tetris Piano Opus, to the moving Medal of Honor suite. Myst, Warcraft, God of War, Kingdom Hearts...hell, they've even got Advent Rising on there, which goes to show that your game doesn't have to be successful to make it on the Video Games Live CD...it just has to have music composed by Tommy Tallarico. The track that really makes the disc for me? Wendy Carlos' Tron Montage. Makes me feel like I am 10 years old wearing a cardboard Tron helmet all over again. Hit the jump for the full track listing and sketchy details about availability!

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra To Play Game Tunes

Hey, Marylanders - looks like you'll be able to get your fix of sweet, orchestral video game music at your local Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, where they're holding a concert entitled "Play! A Video Game Symphony."

The website promises music from "over 20 blockbuster video games," plus visuals, which I gather are somewhere in the same vein as Video Games Live. Included in the list are the Final Fantasy series, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Super Mario Bros.

Makes me wonder - what video game music would you drop cash on to go hear done by an orchestra? In my little opinion, Yasunori Mitsuda's Chrono Cross soundtrack is both a favorite and an ideal, but what do you think?

And yes, the very musical Haruhi just because.

This site is full of win: Game Music Jukebox. You should really give this a look. More than 120 video game soundtracks. Double Dragon. Marathon. Mass Effect. Hitman: Blood Money. Lots of stuff from 8-bit synth to full symphony scores. And not just the title track, but the full score, broken out by tracks.

Maybe not everything, but definitely a lot and certainly something to tickle your nostalgia fancy. Looks like they update it, too, last one was April 29.

I'm listening to the Metroid Theme now, Brinstar to be exact. IMHO, best score for an 8-bit game ever. I want to make it into a ringtone, I just need to pick the right refrain.

Just saw this on Reddit so, the buffering might be a little slow on some of the larger tracks as people go to it.

Reliver Your Favorite Games Through Music [Game Music Jukebox]

"It was a rewarding experience to score The Bourne Conspiracy video game — I have always been a fan of the series and the pace of the game is an ideal match for my musical tempo and style," said Paul Oakenfold. "I look forward to premiering the soundtrack during "The Bourne Sessions" at WMC."

Lair Score Wins IFMCA Award

The International Film Music Critics Association have announced their 2007 award winners, and this year sees the debut of their Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media award, which recognizes the increasing importance of music in gaming and gaming as an entertainment medium. This year's winner is John Debney for the wonderful score to Lair for the PlayStation 3. While I didn't spend much time with the game myself, the music did indeed stand out, to the point where I thought it was a bit wasted on the game. If you'd like to hear this award-winning music without having to shell out $59.99 for a game hardly worth $59.99, then hit up iTunes, where the whole shebang can be yours for $9.99.

2007 AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED BY INTL FILM MUSIC CRITICS ASSOCIATION [Film Music Magazine]

Video Games Live Performs For Spike Awards

If you've never had a chance to catch the Video Games Live concert before, we can pretty much assume you've never been to a major gaming event, because it seems like every time I turn around, there they are with their little Space Invaders t-shirts, carrying around duct tape. They'll be taping things together next Friday, December 7th, at the taping of Spike TV's 2007 Video Game Awards, to be aired on Sunday the 9th at 9PM. It'll be an excellent chance to get a peek at what you're missing as the concert makes its first-ever television appearance. Besides, we'll all be making fun of the Spike TV VGAs the following Monday, and you want to be included in that, don't you? It'll be no fun without you. When you aren't here we sit around and just mope.

Video Games Live to perform at Spike TV's 2007 Video Game Awards [Music 4 Games]

Best of the Best Music tribute

Amerie, Kelly Rowland Dig The Sims. Beyonce Doesn't.

Red Steel On iTunes

Lost Odyssey Footage at Play! San Jose

Clip: High School Percussion Band Does NES

Feature: Video Armageddon

Monkey Island Music Day

The Return of Acapella Game Tunes

Concert Cellist Taps Inner Gamer With Zelda Medley

Compose Your Own Hauntingly 8-bit Arias