Everdark
Hey, everyone. It's been a long while. My life took a chaotic turn but now I'm back, with a considerable amount of free time. I have a few cool campaign ideas that I wanna take a while to sit down, flesh out and write before I run for some friends. Here's one of my questions, though...
How valuable do you find playing situation-appropriate (combat, town, ambient, etc) music while running (or playing) a D&D/Pathfinder/etc game? I've always liked it, but I'm never really sure whether or not other people have the same affinity for music as myself. Do you think it really helps set the mood? I'm an electronic music producer and I was considering producing a custom soundtrack for my own game. Do you guys think it would be worth the time and effort?
Cheers!
Comments
Of course some players are more receptive than others, but the only negative reaction would be because of a too high volume.
You can already try in your game with existing songs and soundtracks before producing your own. In my opinion, you should produce some tracks if you have time and will, but the gigantic internet database allows a tremendous diversity (For example, I use symphonic metal, diaphonic bulgarian chant... etc.).
And don't forget it's your game!
-Pils
"Dark Sun / La Décade des Héros":https://dark-sun-a-trova.obsidianportal.com/: Face the Fire of the Dark Sun... a World ravaged by Sorcery!
"Al-Qadim / Golden Voyages":https://aq-golden-voyages.obsidianportal.com/: Who among you dares to challenge the high seas?
-Pils
Dark Sun ● La Décade des Héros : Face the Fire of the Dark Sun... a World ravaged by Sorcery! (CotM - Dec 2012)
Les Royaumes Oubliés : A D&D 5e old school style Forgotten Realms campaign!
(And I'm so soooorry for my poor english...)
I definitely at least recommend that players should find character themes, they can really help get into the persona of a character after giving a listen.
All the same, I would recommend at least giving a look to "Gaming Music":https://gaming-music.obsidianportal.com/.
They haven't updated in a few months and their site needs to update to post-Reforge, but it's a great tool to use.
_~Mae_
"Whispers in Tamris":https://whispers-in-tamris.obsidianportal.com/
~Mae
CotM Selection Committee
So, no, don;t use it much
Keelah Se'lai,
Keryth
"Shadows Over New York":http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/shadows-over-new-york
"Campaign of the Month - July 2013":http://blog.obsidianportal.com/shadows-over-new-york-julys-campaign-of-the-month/
A really useful website so you can create specific 'sound tracks/moods with sound'. I have used to it to liven up the night watch while the party travels :-)
Good luck and happy listening! :D (/ I'm late to the discussion-- how'd it turn out??)
size of group, size and ambience of room, type of game, type of music, choice of music, volume of music, suitability to mood.
It works well if there is a sort of fantasy generic soundtrack in the background or something specially created or chosen for the occasion, but watch out for people starting to plug their favourite bands: that is a one way road to disaster!
twiggyleaf
CURRENT CAMPAIGN: "Mysteria":http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/mysteria - set in Wolfgang Baur’s MIDGARD.
Previous CotM Aug 2012: "Shimring":http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/shimring
"I met a traveller from an antique land....."
CotM May 2016: Mysteria: set in Wolfgang Baur’s MIDGARD.
Previous CotM Aug 2012: Shimring: High Level Multiplanar Campaign
Inner Council Member
Shadowrun: The Rat's Nest - COTM November 2014
Keelah Se'lai,
Keryth
"Shadows Over New York":http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/shadows-over-new-york
"2013 Campaign of The Year":http://blog.obsidianportal.com/2013-coty-shadows-over-new-york/
"Campaign of the Month July 2013":http://blog.obsidianportal.com/shadows-over-new-york-julys-campaign-of-the-month/
However, the key for me to keep it from being distracting is low volume and no lyrics. The human voice tends to draw focus (our brains are built that way) and even more so language does, so no understandable lyrics and preferably minimal vocals at all works best.
Movie soundtracks (and sometimes games) work great for this sort of thing, as they are already designed to be atmospheric and blend into a narrative. Just find soundtracks from two or three movies that are similar to the theme of the campaign, and throw them in a playlist on shuffle at low volume.
"Age of Heroes":https://heroes-of-hellas.obsidianportal.com/
"Avatar: Conquest of the Imperial Order":https://avatar_adventures.obsidianportal.com/
"COTM November 2011":http://blog.obsidianportal.com/november-11-campaign-of-the-month-avatar-conquest-of-the-imperial-order/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=november-11-campaign-of-the-month-avatar-conquest-of-the-imperial-order
DM, Current Campaign: The Godlands: Rise of the Blood Moon Kings
DM, Previous Campaign: Avatar: Conquest of the Imperial Order - CotM: November 2011
It still has not had any post-Reforge work, but still lists 100s of music choices!
killervp
"A God...Rebuilt":https://a-god-rebuilt.obsidianportal.com
"OP's COTM April 2012":http://blog.obsidianportal.com/a-god-rebuilt-aprils-cotm/
Just trying to help out.
Edited for more owly content on September 14th, 2011
-Thorvaldr
DM of "Tyellador":https://tyellador.obsidianportal.com/