When you write about game music for a while, you sometimes wonder who else likes this stuff. What kind of person gets pumped about a gaming soundtrack like we do? Well… the guy in this video, for one. We, too, will have a review of the “OST from ODST” very soon, but in the meantime, enjoy “MC Bubs” and his friends – I know we did.
How about you? Can you wait to get your hands on the “OST from ODST”?
[via our friends at Destructoid]
Well, maybe there is something to be surprised about. The soundtrack is actually coming out on the same day as the game’s release date! Previous Halo soundtracks have been notoriously late, with the Halo 3 soundtrack being about 2 months late and the Halo 2 Volume 2 soundtrack coming out a full year and a half after the game’s release. It looks like Bungie, Microsoft, and Sumthing Else Music Works got things sorted out this time, as the Halo 3: ODST Original Soundtrack will be released on September 22 along with the game.
If you don’t recall, we had the opportunity to get some time with Halo 3: ODST at Comic Con this year. We learned that Marty O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori would be returning, but were challenged to write some darker music than was heard in previous titles in the series. I’ve been looking forward to the game and the soundtrack, so I recommend picking this one up to show appreciation that they’re actually getting it out there in a timely manner.
Are you looking forward to Halo 3: ODST next week? Are you surprised that they’re releasing the soundtrack on the game’s release date?
Yet again, I’ve been caught not following a game that I should have been all over. I loved Halo 3, and still play it quite often, but before today, I didn’t even know what ODST meant. Honestly, after being told, I still don’t remember, but after playing the game tonight at Microsoft’s showcase, I’m definitely a believer in whatever it stands for.
So, after playing through a cooperative match with three other players where we fended off waves of Covenant combatants, I stepped outside and had Bungie’s Brian Jarrard fill me in on what I’d been missing. Apparently the game is going to be much more open than previous Halo outings, with large areas to explore and a much darker atmosphere, complete with amazing rain effects and gloomy backdrops. When asked about the audio, we were told that Marty O’Donnell is definitely returning to the series, and has written an entirely new score that aims to match the game’s darker mood. This was apparently quite a challenge for him, so I’m curious to hear how it turned out. While a soundtrack release hasn’t been announced, we’ll be surprised if it doesn’t come out. We’re hoping to bring you some more coverage of the title before its September release, so watch for it!
Have you been following Halo 3: ODST and have any thoughts about it one way or the other? Are you a fan of what Marty O’Donnell has done with previous Halo scores?
So, watch the above video. It’s painful, but kind of funny. Microsoft seems to think that this “adaptable” program that creates a musical backing to whatever melody you sing will actually be easy to use and enjoyable to listen to. Let me tell you, after watching this, I tried singing some random, mundane things to myself in the car, and it’s hard to come up with a catchy vocal melody on the fly. There’s no way this is going to work for 99% of the population.
I guess Dale would be the best one to chime in on this one. I don’t sing, and I don’t record vocalists, but I don’t see how this could work. It looks like a cool tool for people who create jingles like the guy in the video, as it’s a quick way to go about creating a mock-up, but other than that, it looks like a toy for kids to annoy their parents with.
Do you see potential in Microsoft’s Songsmith software? Can you imagine the horrible off-key songs that people are going to be making with this?
A lot of us were left wondering what would become to the Halo series after the trilogy concluded, and I think most were surprised when it was announced that the series would transition into the real-time strategy realm with Halo Wars. I guess most surprising for us music fans is the fact that series composers Marty O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori are nowhere to be found on this project! Don’t worry, though, I’ll gladly vouch for Stephen Rippy, the music and sound director over at Ensemble Studos who handled the game’s score.
So, what has he decided to do with the reins to the Halo series? Well, if you read our review of the Halo Wars Original Soundtrack earlier this month, you already know it’s a whole lot different from the original Halo soundtracks. Rippy discusses his approach to the title, his thoughts on the original Halo scores, stories about working on the title, and touches on his past work and the announced closure of Ensemble Studios.
Read what Stephen Rippy has to say after the jump. (more…)
Get ready for something different. The Halo series thus far has seen somewhat of an evolution in its aural landscape from the rock-oriented Halo 2 soundtrack to the beautiful orchestral/ambient masterpiece that was the Halo 3 soundtrack. However, just as Halo Wars intends to take the franchise in a new direction with its real-time strategy gameplay, Halo Wars composer Stephen Rippy intends to do the same with the title’s music.
While the previously mentioned orchestral music is not entirely absent (the FILMharmonic Orchestra and Choir Prague are featured), you’re going to find the majority of the score is centered on an electronic ambient style, and I’ll tell you right now that it sounds absolutely amazing. This doesn’t mean you won’t hear some familiar themes weaved throughout the score though. Along with the single-disc soundtrack, there’s also a bonus DVD packed with extras, so make sure you don’t miss out.
Read our detailed impressions of the Halo Wars Original Soundtrack after the jump. (more…)
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