Nettmøtet er avsluttet. Les svarene fra Jason Hayes og Jason Paul nedenfor.

Still get the feeling?

Hi, can I ask two questions? :-)

I was wondering if you guys still get this "in love"-feeling when you capture the images in your head or on screen with the music, when you get the melody just right or show off your latest work to others? My friends are sick and tired of listening to my "latest work", but I feel just as proud and just as "in love" everytime I feel I get it right :-)


Innsendt av: Christian Jørgensen

Whenever a piece of music seems to work well, and people say it conveys a strong sense of emotion, that's a great thrill. I'm definitely in love with that feeling, and it's an addictive challenge that keeps me coming back for more.

Jason Hayes
 

Language

Hey.
In your songs, Jason Hayes, what language are you using. Like in the song Call To Arms, is it Latin?
Innsendt av: Ozzy

Yes, it's Latin, but an embarrassing quasi-Latin that doesn't translate very well!

Jason Hayes
 

Inspiration

Hey! Loved the Stormwind theme in WoW, where do you get your inspiration for a song like that?
Innsendt av: Olai

Stormwind is a good example of a rare moment when you know exactly what the player is likely to be doing- walking through the Valley of Heroes. This is a golden opportunity musically, because it gave me the ability to try and capture the feelings associated with the Alliance as you get this "establishing shot" of a great city. I think moments like these are a lot of fun to work on, because I like helping to create an experience for the player. It's also cool because you can get away with playing a bigger theme in a place where it's appropriate.

Jason Hayes
 

Inspiration

Hello! This is actually two questions, so bear with me.

I was wondering if there are any composers that has inspired you both in life and in your music. Joe Hisaishi is one of my all time favorite modern composers.

Also, could you explain a little on how the process of creating game scores work? How early in the development do you get to start working. And in the case of Blizzard, where they quite clear on what they wanted, or did you get to work out of your own ideas?

Thank you.
Innsendt av: Simen

I'm a big fan of Brahms, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and others in the classical domain, and also film music composers- Jerry Goldsmith, John Willliams, and Bernard Hermann are some of my favorites.

I was involved from a very early point in World of Warcraft. While that was in early development, I worked on music for various cut-scenes for other Blizzard games. With the short movies, it's a close collaboration with the director who usually has a lot of ideas about the mood they are trying to set. With the in-game music, it's more a matter of working on some things on my own first, and then getting comments on it once it's in game.

Jason Hayes
 

1337-music

Hi Jason!
I played an instrument in a band for many years, and I find myself liking music with that instrument a little bit more than music without that instrument. Which makes me wonder if you have a fondness of one kind of instrument and uses it more than others in your work?
BTW i play WoW and find ur music 1337, IMHO;)
If u dont speak l33t, I'm sure someone can translate for u;)
LOL
And thoose tickets for friday, in Lillestrøm, you are more than welcome to give them to me;) I'm IMBA, so I deserve them:P
Innsendt av: IMBA WoW-player;)

Among other instruments, I love the trumpet, but I've cringed when using it in some electronic arrangements because I just didn't have any really convincing trumpet sounds. That's what's so great about a live concert like "Play!", because it's heavenly to hear actual trumpets in the orchestra!

Jason Hayes
 

Advice for composers?

Hi Jason,

I just wanted to say that the music on WoW is mindblowing. I bought the special edition just to get the music CD and can say that it was the highlight of the game for me.

Im a longtime musician that has been trying to send off demos to the bigge companies - but it seems to be a small world with a few familiar names... yourself, jeremy soule etc.. Do you have any advice for musicians trying to get into the business?
Innsendt av: Mike

There are a lot of good avenues for composers to get into the game industry. One is the Game Developer's Conference (www.gdconf.com), where there are excellent networking opportunities and the whole industry comes together to compare notes and learn from each other. Also, the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) (www.audiogang.org) is a very supportive group of professionals and newcomers alike.

Jason Hayes
 

Defining the genre

First of all, thanks for some great and spine-shivering music!

What, aside from the almost total absence of lead vocals, do you see as most defining aspect of the genre "Game Music"?

Which game-soundtrack(s) are your favourites?

Innsendt av: Lars Øyvind Christiansen

Thank you! I don't think there's anything that defines the aesthetic of game music, because different games are so diverse in their needs. In a lot of ways, game music is a lot like film music, where you need the right kind of music cue to come in at the right moment for it to work well and be impactful. With a film, you do a spotting session and figure out where the music should come in. But in a game, even though the goal is sometimes largely the same, it can take a lot of sophisticated programming and clever design to "spot" the music. It's like a challenging riddle, and it's definitely a team effort to get it right.

Jason Hayes
 

Amiga music?

Will you play Amiga related music? Giana Sisters? Cannon Fodder? Worms? Pinball Fantasies? Superfrog?
Innsendt av: Michal

Yes, we will perform music from some of these selections tomorrow night.

Jason Paul
 

Fantastic!

For Jason HAYES:

First off, I would like to thank you for your fantastic score and soundtracks for World of Warcraft, beeing the latest. I also loved the soundtracks for StarCraft and Diablo. Thank you.

Now, for my questions.

-It`s probably been asked from many; but of all, which soundtrack has given you the most satisfaction of performing LIVE with "Play!"?

-What game series was the most exciting to compose for?

-Do you play the games before hand, and draw inspiration from there? Or do you just read a script/story and make it in your head from there?


For Jason PAUL:

- Where/how did you get the idea for "Play!"?

- Have you worked with orchestras like this before, and how different is it from working with single artists like the late Pavarotti and the Three Tenors?


Thank you both for the opertunity to enjoy game soundtracks live, all your hard work and dedication.
Innsendt av: Jay-O

The idea for PLAY! came about during the success of concerts that I produced with the FINAL FANTASY concert series Dear Friends, and More Friends in the US. I figured that I could attract more people by creating a show that was all encompassing. Something that would appeal to the tastes of all gamers. There are so many games with wonderful music out there. That was the motivation for PLAY!.

I have worked with orchestras all over the world. Some of the best orchestras in the world.

It is totally different. PLAY! is about presenting music and visuals with orchestra. The artists are the games. Pavarotti and The Three Tenors are the show. There demands are high and there is a great deal of pressure when working with artists of that caliber.

Jason Paul
 

Jason Hayes

First i just want to say that I just love the world of warcraft music, and im a huge fan.
Have tried to compose some "songs" myself, but find it hard to do on a computer :)

How do you usally start when you shall create a new "song"? Do you hear the melody in your head, or do you try to play stuff on a instrument to hear if it sounds good?
Is there any special tools you use to produce music?

Greetings from Norway ;)
Innsendt av: Morten Ottestad

Usually when I start work on something, I like to get out of the studio and bring my small voice recorder. I'll sing and hum ideas into it while taking a walk or hanging out somewhere. I find this to be a great way to work, because even though I love all the gear, it can be a little intimidating for me to stare at this vast arsenal of electronics and be faced with the question of where to start! Once I have an idea going, I'll go back to the studio and work it out in more detail on the piano and then load up all the equipment to begin production on it.

Jason Hayes
 

Greetings, almighty musicians!

Can we buy the symphony «Play! A Videogame Symphony» as a cd, soon, in the future?
Innsendt av: Iza

You can currently buy the More Friends Live CD at the concerts tomorrow night which is an import. Please register or visit the PLAY! web site at www.play-symphony.com for further information about a soon to be released PLAY! Live CD.

Jason Paul
 

A Few Miscellaneous Questions

I'd like to start off by saying that I'm extremely happy to see that this concert is being put on.

My questions are:

What do you believe that the reason is for the heightened attention to game music, for example resulting in this concert? Better technical recording and playback equipment? Influential composers? The popularization of games?

Also, what composers do you feel paved the way for the mass acceptance of game soundtracks as "legitimate music"?

Thirdly, Who do you consider to be your personal influences, in the field of game soundtracks?

Thanks in advance for the replies,
Tore Sinding Bekkedal,
Computer geek
Innsendt av: Tore Sinding Bekkedal

The popularity of game music is the result of a lot of hard work. Publishers and developers are seeing the value in the music which is helping to promote this medium. Storytelling and the music of games goes hand in hand.

Better technology has definitely enhanced the music as part of the gaming experience. The talents of composers definitely is key to the attention that has been given to game music. Many film composers are beginning to score games now. Obviously, the popularity and acceptance from the mainstream of gaming has heightened awareness.

Many of the Japanese composers such as Uematsu san, Sugiyama san, Kondo san are true pioneers and have helped to legitimize the genre. Dear Friends, More Friends, and now PLAY! concerts are legitimizing the music. Major orchestras performing these works are legitimizing the music.

Jason Paul
 

The differences

What is the largest difference between composing for a computergame, composing for a movie or composing a piece of music ment to be experienced on it's own, and not as a tool to enhance the experience of the "main product"?
Innsendt av: Galroth lv 70 Moonkin

I think that an MMORPG like WoW definitely has some special considerations in the music. I tried to generate music selections that could be started and stopped at any time without feeling like the music was suddenly cut off. Instad of developing a linear progression of moments, like a film score where you're telling a story, I tried to bask in one aesthetic feeling that would kind of float there. That being said, I would constantly look for opportunities to suggest a theme, to give the player something to hold on to and hint at a greater story in the world instead of just letting things become a texture. It was a balancing act between thematic moments and trying to be evocative, while also trying to be subtle, like a lighting change or a fog effect. At least that's the way the zone background music was approached.

Jason Hayes
 

Criterias

What kind of criterias do you have when you deside what game songs you'll perform?

What is your favorite Game song?
Innsendt av: Anders

Sales and popularity, quality of the music, support from the publishers and composers, whether or not the music will translate well for a live performance.

Legend of Zelda PLAY! suite which will be performed tomorrow night!

Jason Paul
 

Jason Hayes

Hello, first of all I got to say that I just love your music, especially titles like The shaping of the world, and Call to arms. With that said I got a few questions.

How on earth did you figure out that you wanted to be a videogame music-composer?

What role does the other people you work with(Tracy W. Bush, Derek Duke, Glenn Stafford, Russel Brower, Matt Uelmen etc) play in the making of the music? Are they music composers just like you?

And last, will you be the one composing the music for future blizzard games? I'm thinking especially of Diablo 3(if it will ever come out)

Thanks, and please continue making ingenious music.
Innsendt av: Ole Edward

Thanks :) When I was in school, it occurred to me that getting involved with games might be a little easier than getting hired to do a big budget movie. That was probably true at the time, but now I have composers from film and tv contacting me to find out how to get involved with games! So I consider myself incredibly fortunate. Of course I play games and love them, so it's a good fit...

There are many excellent composers who've worked on Blizzard's games- Russell Brower, Glenn Stafford, Derek Duke, Matt Uelmen, Tracy Bush and others are all really cool guys and very talented.

Jason Hayes
 

Why gaming music

Whats so special about music to games? I mean you would get more fame and chance to reach out for more people if you played in things like opera and musicales?
Innsendt av: Eirik Antonsen

There are millions of gamers, hardcore, casual, etc and I am not concerned with fame or glory but rather more cocnerned with creating a great show that caters to a certain audience. Many who come to a game concert want to see another concert. Many of the people who attend orchestra shows for the first time come back and see non related game concerts. For many gamers this show is their first concert. Who knows maybe someday you will see a musical about video games. Also, on the More Friends- Music from FINAL FANTASY concert in Los Angeles on May 16, 2005 we presented an opera piece that was written by Nobuo Uematsu from FINAL FANTASY. It has been released on CD a live CD from that show.

Jason Paul
 

Hello

What game-song has been the most challenging one to transform from an ingame tune to real live music,
but at the same time sounds the same/good enough to not "ruin" the music?
Innsendt av: Magnus

The arrangers that I work with have not expressed to me a difficulty in arranging these works so it is hard for me to answer this. I do not believe an orchestration of game music can ruin the music.

Jason Paul
 

8 bits unplugged

Hi guys.

I have to say that I love what I've seen and heard of you're concert so far, the concept is definetly a step in the right direction of having computer games classified as culture.

My question, as a computer gamer with my roots back in the mid 80's, some of my early favorite games we're among titles such as Mario Brothers, Giana Sisters, Arcanoid and Monkey Island etc, and I was wondering, what is the greatest challenge in composing symphony style music based on the classic 8 bit soundtracks?

Keep up the great work, what you do is awesome!
Innsendt av: Reidar J. Boldevin

Thanks for the kind words. Perhaps the hardest part of arranging music from that era is mimicking the sound with an orchestra. These works were never intended to be performed by an orchestra so the challenge is making them sound like the original. It is a challenge that works well. All of the games you mentioned we have arrangements for and have presented them as part of PLAY!.

Jason Paul
 

gear...

hey...
I'm not a big gamer, but I do make music, and I am wondering; about the music, do you record instruments and orchestras in a studio? or do you use samplers and synths? In which case; what hardware and software do you prefer?

regards
Desperatly Seeking a Convincing Orchestral Synth.
Innsendt av: Øysetin Haguan

Whenever I can talk people into giving me a budget, I love to record with an orchestra. This has happened a couple times when working on the cinematics cut-scenes and promotional trailers. But often, it's all or mostly electronics. That's changing though, and I'm starting to see more opportunities to use live players.

Jason Hayes
 

Favourite VGCs

Who are your favourite video game composers?

Top5 videogame tunes?

Cheers, Lars
Innsendt av: Lars

My favorite VGM composers are:

Jeremy Soule, Jason Hayes, Nobuo Uematsu, Yasunori Mitsuda, Koji Kondo, Yuzo Koshiro, and some many more.

OWA FF
Legend of Zelda (PLAY! Suite)
Super Mario Bros. (PLAY! Suite)
Super Shinobi (PLAY! Arrangment)
Chrono Cross/Trigger (PLAY! Suite)

Jason Paul
 

Greetings, Hayes

First of all, I love your music.. It`s a damn nice piece of music art and ill hope you gonna make more videogame music in the future.

Second, I wonder how it is to make music for a game like world of warcraft? Did you feel any pressure at all? i mean, It was promised to be one of the best MMORPG games, and now we know what happend.. 9 mill players. i never played Starcraft wich is a shame.. But, keep on with your good work. I love your music.

From H.B.D
Innsendt av: Harald Brobakken Danielsen

Thank you! There's always the pressure of working with a very talented team, and trying to write things that will get everyone excited. But that's a good pressure! But noone could have ever imagined how popular World of Warcraft would become, so that was never "on my radar", so to speak.

Jason Hayes
 

Metroid

Hey!

I got two tickets for this concert and I am really looking forward too it, but why do you guys have so many great titles such as

Zelda
Final Fantasy
World of Warcraft

And so on but no Metroid?
This have to be one of the better nintendo game series out there with alot of different music (I've even heard it being performed on piano and electric guitar)

Really looking forward to great music and pure epicness!

Regards

A really curious game music fan
Innsendt av: Thomas

It is difficult to include all of the music but you can rest assured that we are working on an arrangement of Metroid. Thanks for your support and kind words!

Jason Paul
 

How and why?

What made you go through with this?

I mean, this is just brilliant, a stroke of genious! Honestly I must say Ive been browsing Youtube for clips of Play!

Its just brilliant :)
Innsendt av: Eivind

The fact that something like this had not been done is what made me go through with this. we are reaching a mass audience through video game music is inspiring. The fact that orchestras are seeing the value of this original concept is great for the art of video games and the life of orchestras and the arts as we know it. Hopefully, soon you will be able to watch a DVD. information on the release will be announced soon at the PLAY! website.

Jason Paul
 

Games reign chaos over movies

Hello there Jason and Jason:)

From the 50`s (or so) and up to 80-90`s, there has been many great film-music composers. But in the 21st century, the movies has become more of a PR-channel for pop/rock artists and so on. The consequence of this, is that the scenes some times has to be edited and shot too the music, and not the other way around. At least that is what I feel in some cases.

On the other hand, I am very glad to see that the gaming production has picked up where most of the movie production left of in the 90`s. I can still remember the joy of walking in the elven forest with the song of elune whispering in the threes! That is a feeling no other pop song can ever recreate.

This wasn`t really a question. More like a salute to the geniuses in the shadow (aka you guys)!

And i can not wait until friday and hear PLAY! :)
Innsendt av: Ludde

I hope that you will enjoy the concert and I appreciate your kind words of support.

Jason Paul
 

Music for playfields

Hi,
A question for Mr Hayes:

When you created music for World of Warcraft, did you enter the playfield first to get a feel for the mood that you wanted to create, or did you just create a lot of different scores and select the playfields they were most suitable for afterwards?

Kind regards,
Taina
Innsendt av: Taina

Once we had early builds of the game up and running, I would spend a lot of time running around a somewhat empty world, just taking in the great atmosphere and coming up with ideas on how to address the music for the different zones.

Jason Hayes
 

Famous composers

Do you think the game-composers will be just as famous as Grieg, Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi in the future? I myself think the composers are extremely talented and good, beautiful music to a game gives it an extra edge. Thank you for a fantastic game experience!

Nico
Innsendt av: Nicolai Gjellestad

Only time will tell but I can say that orchestras are presenting these contemporary works and are becoming more and more accepted by the mainstream. Many of the compositions presented as part of PLAY! can stand right up with some of the masters of composition.

Your welcome!

Jason Paul
 

Pretty impressive

I have a couple of questions for you guys ;-)

For Jason Hayes:
The most obvious one, where do you draw your inspiration from?

How do you create the feelings associated with your music?

Do you play the games you make the music for?

For Jason Paul:
How do you select what music you perform?

Are you a hardcore gamer?

For both of you:
Do you play computer games only with a great soundtrack?

Thanks for your time,
TheFlyingCorpse
Innsendt av: Rune Darrud

I'm usually looking at a lot of conccept art... there are some wonderful images to help develop the look and feel of the game world. I remember working with this great image of a forest, with the light coming in through the trees and a very tranquil view. I wrote something that I felt captured the mood of this artwork, and it eventually became the music you hear in places like Ellwyn Forest. I also have had great conversations with Chris Metzen, and the cinematics directors Matt Samia and Nick Carpenter, when working on the short films, that are very inspiring.

Jason Hayes
 

Money and music

I'm a big fan of game music, and i've always wondered how you guys get the inspiration to create all the different songs and set the different moods in your songs?

Do you feel passionate about your songs, or is it (all) about the money? ;)
Innsendt av: Jarle

It is definitely not about the money. People in the gaming industry are passionate about what they do.

Jason Paul
 

Unbelievable Concert

Where do you guys get your inspiration from, when you are making these fantastic musical masterpieces?

I have played all the games the news article writes about, and I must say that the music in these games are still with me the day today. They are just brilliant.

Keep up the great work and hope to see you in Oslo!
Innsendt av: Lars Bergan

Inspiration comes from seeing the fans appreciating the concerts that I produce. I get great satisfaction from seeing a younger generation of symphony concert goers. Who would of thought that video game music would be performed by a symphony and some of the most distinguished orchestras in the world at that. I am contributing to keeping the arts alive. Adapting the music from the original versions and to hear them performed live by an orchestra is satisfaction enough.

Thanks for the question. We will continue to update the program lists.

Jason Paul
 

Turne?

Skal dere spille flere plasser i norge, konge om dere har tatt dere turen nordover også =)
Innsendt av: Aksel

Jason Paul- The selections of the concerts are determined by the quality of the music, the support of the composer and publisher, and of course the fans. I also incoporate personal favorites and what will translate well into a full orchestration or arrangement.

I used to be a hard core gamer but as time became limited I had to scale down my time spent.

I do not only play computer games. I play PS titles, XBOX titles, SEGA titles, Commodore titles, Atari titles, etc. I grew up playing games on all platforms.
 

Do you play games?

Do you play World of Warcraft or any other games in your spare time?
Innsendt av: Jan

Hello, it's a pleasure to be here! I love to play adventure games, because I like to get involved in a big story, and it's the closest thing in gaming to reading a novel. But lately, I haven't had the chance to play too many. I mostly am looking over the shoulder of my colleagues :)

Jason Hayes
 

Gaming interests?

Jason Paul, were you interested in videogames and/or videogame music before you created Play!? Or did you just get the idea to make such a concert one day?

Jason Hayes, is it harder to create music for games now then it was 10 years ago? And what is the biggest difference?
Innsendt av: eRik

Jason Paul- Yes, of course. I have always appreciated the music. The themes of Mario and Zelda for example are something that have always been in my head. The idea came to me when I visited Tokyo and saw that they were presenting concerts with just the music of videogames such as FF and Dragon Quest. Perhaps the true inspiration were my former colleagues at Square Pres. Jun Iwasaki and Marketing Manager Kyoko Yamashita. Producing Pavarotti and Three Tenors concerts helped me to round out the vision.
 

Music and games

To Jason Paul:

- What's your favorite game music?

- Have you ever stumbled upon any game themes that are too difficult to arrange for Play?

- What does music mean for a game?
Innsendt av: Jona

This is a hard question. However, I am most fond of works by Mitsuda san from Chrono Cross and Chrono Trigger. I also am a big fan of Oblivion music by Jeremy Soule. Perhaps my favorite orchestrated music is the Legend of Zelda suite that we perform as part of PLAY!. I also like Yoko Shimomora's Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2 music.

There is not too much music that we cannot score for PLAY!. The hardest part is narrowing down the selections. I have many composers who want to have their music as part of PLAY! but it becomes difficult.

Like a movie score music helps to tell the story. Music and visuals go hand in hand.