Sat Oct 16, 2010 3:43 pm
Soundtrack Support Ideas
I know adding music (or supporting music) has been kind of a back burner idea for a while now...but I've been thinking about game music today, so here are a couple ideas I've had:
1) Level-based soundtrack selection - It'd be cool if the level designer could specify a default music choice in the level code. It would also mesh nicely if/when the supervisor script comes into being and the music could change based on game events.
2) Music Packs - A fun way of implementing background music would be to allow music packs. There would be a folder for music just like there's a folder for levels and robots. Inside that would be a subdirectory with Default music. The default soundtrack would have 8-12 songs with generic names like "happy.mp3" and "suspense.mp3". Then people could assemble alternate music packs with 8-12 songs, assign them the same generic names, and store them alongside the default subdirectory. So, in the music folder you could have "Default Music Pack", "8-bit Music Pack", "Atmospheric Music Pack", etc. Users could download and install as many packs as they liked. From the client, they could choose one default pack, let each level pick from a random pack, or leave it up to the level designer. If they didn't have the level designer's specified pack, the default would play instead...or, players could choose to have no music at all.
I'm currently looking for suitable youtube music, and have some really promising leads. I'll post when I find cool stuff!
1) Level-based soundtrack selection - It'd be cool if the level designer could specify a default music choice in the level code. It would also mesh nicely if/when the supervisor script comes into being and the music could change based on game events.
2) Music Packs - A fun way of implementing background music would be to allow music packs. There would be a folder for music just like there's a folder for levels and robots. Inside that would be a subdirectory with Default music. The default soundtrack would have 8-12 songs with generic names like "happy.mp3" and "suspense.mp3". Then people could assemble alternate music packs with 8-12 songs, assign them the same generic names, and store them alongside the default subdirectory. So, in the music folder you could have "Default Music Pack", "8-bit Music Pack", "Atmospheric Music Pack", etc. Users could download and install as many packs as they liked. From the client, they could choose one default pack, let each level pick from a random pack, or leave it up to the level designer. If they didn't have the level designer's specified pack, the default would play instead...or, players could choose to have no music at all.
I'm currently looking for suitable youtube music, and have some really promising leads. I'll post when I find cool stuff!
