The term “music about games“ might seem straightforward, yet it encompasses a fascinating and multifaceted domain. Unlike music in games—which refers to background scores and soundtracks within video games—music about games refers to songs, compositions, or entire albums inspired by, or created to discuss, reference, or pay homage to, video games and gaming culture. This includes lyrical music that explores game themes, characters, nostalgia, or even critiques of the gaming industry.
Music of games is an artistic expression that blends the auditory with the interactive. It is where melody meets memory, where gamers find identity and emotion through rhythm. As video games have become a mainstream form of entertainment and cultural impact, music reflecting this passion has emerged alongside.
In this article, we’ll trace the journey of music of games from its early beginnings to its current standing as a vibrant subculture of the global music industry. We will explore how it started, who contributed to its evolution, and why it holds such significance for millions of fans around the world.
Origins: When Did Music About Games Begin?
Early Days of Gaming Culture
To understand when music about games first emerged, we must rewind to the 1980s—the golden era of arcade gaming. During this time, titles like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Space Invaders dominated gaming arcades and home consoles. While these games featured simplistic 8-bit music scores, fans began creating songs outside the games that celebrated these titles.
One of the earliest known instances of a song about a video game is “Pac-Man Fever” by Buckner & Garcia, released in 1981. It was a novelty song that humorously described the obsession with the arcade game Pac-Man. The track reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, proving that music inspired by games could capture public attention.
Transition from Novelty to Niche Art
Throughout the late 80s and early 90s, other artists began experimenting with video game-themed lyrics and references. However, during this time, most of these were novelty songs and were not considered part of mainstream music culture.
It wasn’t until the late 90s and early 2000s—coinciding with the rise of internet culture and downloadable music—that music of games began to evolve into a more defined and respected genre.
Evolution: From Fan Tributes to Professional Music Projects
The Rise of Nerdcore and Game-Inspired Genres
A major turning point came with the rise of nerdcore hip-hop in the early 2000s, pioneered by artists like MC Frontalot and Mega Ran. These artists embraced their love for video games, comic books, and computers, crafting rhymes around iconic game franchises like Mega Man, Final Fantasy, and Zelda. Mega Ran’s “Black Materia” album, based on Final Fantasy VII, became a cult hit among gamers and music lovers alike.
In parallel, chiptune music—a genre that uses sound chips from vintage game consoles—gained popularity. Artists like Anamanaguchi combined punk rock and 8-bit game sounds to create high-energy music that evoked nostalgia and celebrated the digital age.
YouTube and the Democratization of Music of Games
Platforms like YouTube, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp provided creators with the tools to share their work globally. This led to an explosion of original songs, remixes, and parodies that centered on gaming culture. Popular YouTubers such as NateWantsToBattle, The Living Tombstone, and Dan Bull rose to fame with their songs about Minecraft, Five Nights at Freddy’s, Skyrim, and more.
Dan Bull’s “Epic Skyrim Rap” and The Living Tombstone’s “FNaF” series are examples of how music of games reached massive audiences, often with millions of views.
Themes in Music of Games
Nostalgia and Emotional Connection
Many songs about games focus on the emotional journey players experience. For example, “Still Alive” by Jonathan Coulton, featured in the credits of Portal, not only reflects on the game’s narrative but resonates with players who form deep attachments to game characters.
Other emotional tributes include “Zelda’s Lullaby” covers, “Aerith’s Theme” remixes, and lyrical ballads dedicated to Red Dead Redemption 2 or The Last of Us. These compositions reflect the emotional maturity of modern games.
Humor and Parody
Humorous songs and parodies also form a large portion of music of games. Artists like Starbomb (featuring members of Ninja Sex Party and Game Grumps) create raunchy, comedic songs about Super Mario, Sonic, and Pokémon. Their music combines explicit humor with a deep love for the source material.
Parody musicians such as “The Key of Awesome” or “Parry Gripp” also contributed to popularizing game-based comedy music.
Social Commentary and Industry Critique
Some artists use music to critique the gaming industry. Themes like toxic gaming culture, loot boxes, pay-to-win models, and developer practices have been addressed in tracks by Dan Bull, JT Music, and others. This gives music of games a more serious voice and shows that it can be both celebratory and reflective.
Artists and Communities Driving the Genre
Indie Artists and Collectives
Several independent artists and musical groups now dedicate their work to games. Examples include:
- Mega Ran – Known for lyrical storytelling inspired by Mega Man and Final Fantasy.
- The Living Tombstone – A YouTube powerhouse with electro-pop anthems tied to games.
- Miracle of Sound – Gavin Dunne’s music spans Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher, and more.
Communities like OverClocked ReMix have supported thousands of remixes and original pieces inspired by game music. These fan-driven platforms celebrate and elevate music of games.
Official Collaborations and Game Studio Involvement
Recognizing the popularity of this trend, some game developers now commission musicians to create tracks about their games. For instance:
- Riot Games has developed K/DA, a virtual K-pop group with music videos inspired by League of Legends characters.
- Bethesda has collaborated with fans and artists to produce tribute albums for games like Doom and Skyrim.
These official efforts blur the lines between music in games and music of games, often creating viral success across both gaming and music industries.
Cultural Significance and Mainstream Recognition
From Subculture to Pop Culture
As gaming itself became a cultural juggernaut, music of games found new audiences beyond hardcore fans. Tracks that once circulated in niche forums now top iTunes charts and Spotify playlists. Game-themed performances are featured in award shows, symphony concerts, and even the Olympics (Tokyo 2020 featured classic video game themes in its opening ceremony).
Artists like Post Malone, Logic, and Marshmello have referenced games in their music, while Travis Scott’s Fortnite concert proved the future of music and games is deeply intertwined.
Influence on Music Education and Composition
Today, universities offer courses on video game music composition, and game-inspired music is a popular genre for aspiring musicians. Whether through orchestral arrangements or digital beats, music of games has become a respected and legitimate field of study and performance.
Future of Music About Games
AI and Music Generation
Artificial intelligence and procedural music tools are now being used to generate game-inspired music automatically. Projects like OpenAI’s Jukebox or AIVA show how machine learning can help create music that references gaming themes, characters, or genres.
AI-generated songs about games might soon become commonplace on streaming platforms and within virtual worlds.
Virtual Reality and Interactive Music
In the future, game’s music might evolve into fully interactive experiences. VR concerts, metaverse performances, and user-driven musical narratives could make game-inspired music more immersive. Players may soon compose songs inside games like Dreams (PS4) or Roblox, contributing to a constantly evolving landscape of fan-created game music.
Conclusion
Music of games has evolved from quirky 80s jingles to a profound cultural movement that connects millions across the globe. It reflects the growth of gaming itself—from a niche hobby to a universal language of creativity, emotion, and identity.
As technology advances and gaming culture continues to thrive, music of games will only become richer and more diverse. Whether it’s a heartfelt tribute to a fallen game character, a satirical rap about microtransactions, or a symphonic epic inspired by a fantasy world, this genre proves that the bond between music and gaming is as powerful as ever.
So plug in your headphones, load up your favorite playlist, and press play—because music of games isn’t just about sound. It’s about storytelling, community, and the shared love of digital adventure.
FAQ’s:
What is the difference between ‘music in games’ and ‘music about games’?
Music in games refers to the soundtrack or score used within a video game. Music about game refers to music created externally that references or is inspired by video games, their characters, or culture.
When was the first song about a video game released?
The first notable song about a video game was “Pac-Man Fever” by Buckner & Garcia in 1981. It celebrated the arcade game Pac-Man and became a pop hit.
Who are some popular artists that make music for games?
Notable artists include Mega Ran, Dan Bull, The Living Tombstone, Miracle of Sound, and Starbomb. Many YouTubers and indie musicians also contribute to this genre.
How has YouTube influenced music of games?
YouTube allowed musicians to directly reach gamers with original songs, remixes, and parodies. It played a crucial role in the genre’s popularity and growth.
Will music of games continue to grow in the future?
Yes. With the expansion of gaming, virtual reality, and AI-generated music, the genre will continue to evolve and attract new audiences worldwide.
