Winston Salem Times

Gaming's influence on the entertainment industry is evident, as it continues to evolve and capture a vast audience. Gaming now represents an $85 billion industry in the United States, with projections estimating a global revenue of $533 billion by 2027. Amid this growth, the interplay of symphonic music and gaming is gaining attention.

At a recent multi-day event, music, gaming, and academic elements converged. Featuring Emmy Award-winning composer Inon Zur, known for his work on "Starfield," the event included Pete Hines, a notable former Senior Vice President at Bethesda Softworks, and retired NASA astronaut Dan Tani. These figures participated in workshops, panel discussions, and an Esports LAN tournament, with the Wake Forest University Symphony Orchestra performing live.

J. Aaron Hardwick, an academic whose research focuses on gaming music, believes that integrating video game music into symphony orchestra performances might increase audience engagement. Referring to statistical data, around 60% of Americans play video games, and adults constitute a significant portion of this demographic. Hardwick notes a history of skepticism toward video games and their music, stemming from certain U.S. marketing approaches in the 1980s. He suggests that games can make symphonic performance art accessible to wider audiences.

Discussing the essence of video game music, Hardwick explained, "Music provides a layer underneath everything when playing a video game. There’s something magical to it." He emphasized that music in gaming immerses players, invoking emotional responses akin to storytelling without words. According to him, "The music does more than just accompany the game—it fuels the emotional journey.”

Hardwick asserts that the complexity of video game music lies in its dynamic nature. The music responds to player actions, elevating the experience beyond mere background accompaniment. This approach requires composers to adapt, often drawing on high-level training from esteemed conservatories and music schools.

A recent concert in Munich, directed by Hardwick, highlighted the fusion of classical and gaming music. Performed by the Munich Radio Orchestra, "Let’s Play" was dedicated solely to video game scores and was broadcasted live, attracting 26,000 viewers on platforms like BR Network and Twitch. This event demonstrated the increasing acknowledgment of video game music as a crucial and powerful art form globally, uniting a diverse audience.

Visit the Wake the Arts website for more information.