As in movies, music is a key but often times overlooked part of video games. Music is what sets the mood for us and helps the storytelling process along. And if a video game soundtrack is well crafted, it can be enjoyed many times over outside of the confines of the game.So now it is time to announce the Game Room’s winners of the 2011 video game music of year.
Best Video Game Song – Winner:
“Now I Only Want You Gone” by Jonathan Coulton
This category has only has one nominee as the writer and performer of this song nailed it and hit it out of the park.
Best Video Game Soundtrack – Nominees:
“Batman: Arkham City” by Nick Arundel and Ron Fish
“Battlefield 3” by Johan Skugge and Jukka Rintamaki
“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” by Brian Tyler
“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” by Jeremy Soule
“Star Wars: The Old Republic” by Mark Griskey and Company
“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” by Brian Tyler
“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” by Jeremy Soule
“Star Wars: The Old Republic” by Mark Griskey and Company
Best Video Game Soundtrack – Winner:
(Tie) “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” and “Star Wars: The Old Republic”
Now before you scream, “Cop-out,” this was a tough decision to try and pick which one was better. Both soundtracks provided hours of thematic music. “The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim” provided a rich Nordic chorus that pushed the player along their Dragonborn quest. “Star Wars: The Old Republic” used, but didn’t rely too much on, familiar music cues. The various songwriters came up with new themes that blossomed within the Star Wars framework.
As of the posting date of this article, both of the full soundtracks are only available bundled with the collector’s editions of their respective video game releases. Here’s hoping that at some point in the near future, they will be made available for digital retail.