ask the Editors: Has Gaming Influenced Your Taste in Music?
We posed the question to our editorial team: has gaming had an impact on your musical preferences? The responses reveal a spectrum of experiences, from subtle background influence to a complete reshaping of musical horizons.
Several editors noted a passive enjoyment of game music while playing, but didn’t actively seek it out afterwards. One editor explained, “I really get absorbed in films, but when gaming I’m too focused on the gameplay to truly listen to the music, though I appreciate good music being there.” Another echoed this sentiment, stating they enjoy music while gaming but don’t consciously pay attention to it.
For others, gaming served as a gateway to new artists and genres. Natascha, a long-time metal fan, finds herself discovering new bands within the folk and power metal subgenres through games. She also utilizes game soundtracks,alongside classical and jazz,as background music for focused work. Sil described a similarly eclectic taste,noting a playlist spanning Daft punk to Rachmaninoff,with some songs discovered through games,though not necessarily formed by them.
Louis shared a specific example, recalling the soundtrack of Burnout 3 introducing them to bands like My Chemical Romance and Rise Against, artists who remain in their playlists today. However, they acknowledge the possibility that this preference stemmed from the broader musical landscape of their youth.
But for David, gaming wasn’t just an introduction – it was a transformation. Initially devoted to the trance genre as a teenager, David found his musical world expanded exponentially through gaming. He discovered chip tunes, orchestral compositions, classic music, metal, and glitch, all while immersed in pixelated worlds and epic boss battles. He specifically praised composers like Disasterpiece, Masayoshi Soken (of Final Fantasy XIV), Nobuo Uematsu, and Yasunori mitsuda (of Chrono Trigger), recognizing them as fully-fledged artists capable of creating emotionally resonant and immersive experiences. David concluded that gaming broke down his previously limited musical perspective, allowing him to appreciate game soundtracks as much as any conventional album.
one editor highlighted the important role of their father in shaping their musical taste, acknowledging that while game music might subtly influence them, their father remains the primary influence.
the team’s responses demonstrate that gaming’s influence on musical taste is varied and personal. While not universally transformative, gaming clearly has the power to introduce new genres, artists, and a deeper thankfulness for music as an art form, enriching the listening experience for many.
