Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Nick Jonas is Wizard101's mystery composer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/nick-jonas-is-wizard101s-mystery-composer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/nick-jonas-is-wizard101s-mystery-composer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/nick-jonas-is-wizard101s-mystery-composer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The cat is out of the bag and the teenage girls are out of their minds: Wizard101 has announced that Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers is the "mystery composer" whom we've been trying to guess for the past couple of weeks.

Jonas both wrote and produced the soundtrack for Wizard101's latest world of Wintertusk, which includes seven pieces of music. Apparently, the songwriter was psyched to be a part of a video game for the first time: "This was a first for me. I never produced or wrote music for a game or in this case, a whole world before. So I jumped at the chance to work with KingsIsle. It was very cool to be part of a project that allowed me to help create the mood for Wintertusk and interact with an audience in an entirely new way."

Players can even meet Nick Jonas -- well, his virtual equivalent -- in the game and watch as his character conducts an orchestra. The world of Wintertusk with all of its "cool" music is currently open for all to experience.

MassivelyNick Jonas is Wizard101's mystery composer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 May 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the development budgets of new MMOs. To stay ahead of the technological curve, a large portion of the budget invariably goes toward the graphics department. Studios produce impressive graphics engines and mountains of art assets in an effort to make their game one of the most visually impressive out there. Amidst all the fuss over graphics and gameplay, audio is often overlooked and underfunded. It's been shown that good music and sound effects can have a significant impact on the perceived quality of a game. This is something that some development studios recognise and support but many continue to neglect this vital part of the gaming experience.

In this article, I examine the importance of good audio in an MMO and explain the underlying psychology involved.

Continue reading The importance of good audio in an MMO

MassivelyThe importance of good audio in an MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioblack-prophecychoireveeve-onlineeverquest-2everquest-iifantasyfeaturedindustryjoystiqfeaturesmoodmusicorchestrapsychologysci-fisoundworld of warcraftworld-of-warcraftWorldOfWarcraftMon, 15 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Australian orchestra records tribute to WoW, Blizzard in general]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/australian-orchestra-records-tribute-to-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/australian-orchestra-records-tribute-to-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/australian-orchestra-records-tribute-to-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Australia-based Eminence Symphony Orchestra (who performed pieces for the soundtrack of the console fighting game Soul Calibur IV) have recorded a vast musical tome called Echoes of War that encompasses virtually every game Blizzard has made -- including World of Warcraft. The international (Australia, United States, Japan) project is made partly out of the proverbial love of the game, but the folks behind it also want to get a young generation interested in classical music by playing "the music they want to hear."

The samples on the website (which include two WoW tracks) are impressive, and should entice hardcore Warcraft fanatics to pick the full package up online. There's a standard edition for $29.95 that just includes the 90 minutes of music, and the pictured-above "Legendary" edition (geez, even video game soundtracks have CEs now) which includes the music, a making-of DVD, a "32-page color booklet" (whatever that means), and nine bits of artwork on cards. That'll cost you $49.95.

Sure, other MMOs have gotten soundtrack albums, but we're pretty sure this is the first time we've seen a soundtrack for the entire catalog of an MMO developer other than Square-Enix; Final Fantasy fanatics proudly challenge even the Warcraft guys and gals in sheer enthusiasm.

[Via Kotaku]

MassivelyAustralian orchestra records tribute to WoW, Blizzard in general originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcomposereminencemusicorchestrascoresoundtrackworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 17 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Unforgettable MMO music]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/24/the-daily-grind-unforgettable-mmo-music/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/24/the-daily-grind-unforgettable-mmo-music/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/24/the-daily-grind-unforgettable-mmo-music/#commentsFiled under: ,

For some, the music in MMOGs is just something to be listened to the first time through, then flipped off in favor of our own particular mix. For others, music in MMOGs is not only really enjoyable, but something we seek out and will even occasionally listen to when not playing! (This blogger still gets goosebumps when listening to the opening strains of the EverQuest theme song.) From great EBM in EVE Online and the fight music in The Matrix Online to more orchestral/choral pieces like those in Age of Conan and World of Warcraft (Lament of the Highborne anyone?) there's a lot of really great MMOG music out there.

If you had to pick some of your favorite MMO songs, what would they be? Do you have any nostalgia choices in your mix? How about new favorites? Which ones jump to mind as part of your gaming experience that you'll never forget?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Unforgettable MMO music originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 May 2008 08:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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