Guild Wars 2

Hey, people and dev’s (if they are indeed going to be reading this).
- I made the thread “Music in GW2” previously, which seems to have received quite the positive response. And when I say positive response I mean that people seem to agree about it, which will help the devs’ continued development on this.

- To help their development further, I will be delving into GW2 and its music, basically trying to fit the soundtrack into the environment best suited for it.
I have finals coming up and it will be about a month’s time before I can get started.

- If I have to give some advice right now, I’d say that iconic tunes needs to be kept to the place it was created for (today I heard an iconic Asuran theme playing in Divinity’s Reach). It is important, because people will be able to “put a face” on a particular tune, or rather put a place to it, but you get the idea.
- When I’m searching for music from other games, say, WoW (don’t hate me) I can easily narrow it down to which zone and where I heard it. Not in GW2, unfortunately. I’d like to be able to do that, hence I’m going forward with my project.

- Hope to make some changes to at least that aspect of the game, and well, we’ll see how it’ll turn out.

Agreed!
I can’t tell by music which zone is which…
Music is not iconic, it’s not specified for different zones, which is quite a shame…
I am finding it ridiculous how Asura theme starts playing in Queensdale too…
Caledon Forest, when I go there, I want to enjoy the music specially created for that area, something iconic for Sylvari…and there are so many tracks which can be tied to this area…not a mix of ‘’all Maguuma music".
I bought the game soundtrack, 4 CD’s…there are soooooooo many unused tracks, beautiful tracks! Peaceful and serene…and names of the tracks can tell what’s it meant to be used for…it’s really a shame how unused the game soundtrack is and how the areas don’t have their unique music…
I hope ANet takes this into account, because it really means a lot…it makes the areas memorable.
Good luck with this Sinifair, you have my full support!

You’ve gotten my support as well.
I posted in part 1 of your thread.
I would like the music to bolster the nostalgia given by the maps in Tyria. We need specified area music for that to happen.

Thanks to both of you guys. I do remember both of you responding to my previous thread, and thanks for the support.
- Blur, I think it was you, who made some suggestions to some soundtracks that we need to hear more of in the particular zones in which they fit. Heard them all and I remember hearing them in game somewhere, but once again, they need to be confined to specific locations, because that is how the music works best in any game.

Particularly Soule’s soundtracks can create a very nice atmosphere, but like any other soundtrack it can be diminished to naught when not used correctly.
- I came to the point, when I had played for some months, where I had to ask myself: “Why does the music in GW2 suck?” – Trick question, though: It didn’t. Some soundtracks just took priority. Not in one particular zone where it would fit, but kind of everywhere in general. It was the same few soundtracks that we heard.

- I can go through the OST from the first track to the last, and in between I will hear pieces that I remember very well from the first game (I can even pinpoint it down to the exact locations) and then there are tracks I don’t remember hearing at all in-game.

- So, yeah, I’m very excited to get started with it. There’s going to be a lot of work to do, but if it can enhance players’ experience with GW2 then I believe it is worth it, and of course your support is also very appreciated. It kinda defeats the purpose of wanting to help players and the game, if they don’t really care anyhow.

I keep listening to soundtrack…and all I can say is that only a few tracks have been added to the game and they just repeat over and over….A lot of tracks from GW1 have been added too…though I don’t understand it…with so many tracks for GW2, why add so many from GW1? Combat music they added from EotN gets on my nerves, really…
The tracks are misplaced…they definitely need better organisation…and we have far too many cheerful/heroic tracks in the game. I think that a little more depressing and serene tunes would make the atmosphere better.
I also wish to add that music should change regarding what you do and where you go…
Yesterday with a friend I went to the Crypt in Gendarran Fields…and this happy/heroic music kept playing and it was getting on my nerves seriously…it should change. I am entering a creepy crypt…I want something to send chills down my spine when I go in there. At least adding some ’’howling’’ instead of letting ambient music play over and over would be nice for such ’’creepy’’ things…
Music for some jumping puzzles should also change.
What also bugs me is when I change the area…say from Ascalon to Shiverpeaks…Ascalon music still plays in Shiverpeaks, no matter if I changed the zone. I think that when we change the zone, the music should stop at the loading screen and switch to music specified for that area.

I really like your idea Sinifair and I really, really hope ANet considers this…
The track named “Zhaitan” really caught my attention…I think that it could be something that could play in Orr…or maybe at some specific locations (cave, puzzle etc)
The track “Tyria Awaits” sounds like something out of a movie…it’s like the beginning…something which actually ’’drags’’ you into the world…and I wouldn’t mind hearing that in some zones.
“The Vaults of the Priory” … “Ventari’s Legacy”, “Promenade of the Gods” … all beautiful tracks…
I also mentioned Southsun Cove music…I am happy we have two tracks specific for this zone and they really give you the feeling of the zone.
The track “Out of the Dream”, could be nicely added to Caledon Forest.
Night music should also be different for each zone…we only have, how many tracks? 2-3 for night-time? It really gets boring…
What I really like is, when I go to visit the Pale Tree, how “Fear Not This Night” instrumental starts playing…I feel like staying there and just listening to it until it finishes…
I’m glad to see that people appreciate music in game. It’s very, very important to get that ’’nostalgic’’ feeling when playing the game…and to remember the areas according to music.

Indeed. There are many great soundtracks from GW1 that have been added, but they were much better organized to their zones back in the first game. I don’t mind them in GW2 at all, but there are too many amazing tracks from the GW2 OST that goes unnoticed.
- The soundtrack called “Fallen Comrades” would be nice to hear when we are indeed dead and a fallen comrade. Just one way of utilizing that track.

I can’t help but wonder whether or not the zone is just one playlist with some sort of prioritized shuffle on. I hope that their sound engine can play tracks in certain areas of a zone, because that would open up a whole new world of opportunities to add immersion into the game.
- The music has so much power in games. I’ve experienced the game as being better with a different set of soundtrack for particular zones. They would feel like a… well, a grind, maybe… but adding the right soundtrack for it makes it more complete and makes it easier to work through, basically. I wasn’t aware that music could do that, but it had an immense effect to the gameplay and the experience of the world.

+1

I was just discussing this same issue with my friend the other day. Not only what you pointed out, but I also think there should be an increased sense of fantasy / mystery / eerie feeling that peaks curiosity. The music by Jason Hayes for vanilla WoW was so immersive and gave a great sense of atmosphere, while using many unique instruments.

Sample clips:
http://www.musicbyjason.com/mp3files/Teldrassil.mp3
http://www.musicbyjason.com/mp3files/Dun_Morogh.mp3

Yes, Jason Hayes! One of my favorite composers. His music was indeed very well written and fitted the mood of the places they were composed for. The soundtracks were immersive, they provided both a melody and an ambient feeling to it.

- If you like his tracks, you may be interested in this one, which he composed for MoP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYAEG0Zypc4
- Also, Jeremy Soule composed a piece for MoP, which has only sparked my interest in his future compositions for GW2, when Cantha makes its way in, since both are kind of asian themed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EESTHLq2BA
- Personally, I could instantly hear who the composer was, and that goes for both tracks.