Glorious Alpha Two Testers!
Alpha Two testing is currently taking place five days each week. More information about Phase II and Phase III testing schedule can be found here
If you have Alpha Two, you can download the game launcher here, and we encourage you to join us on our Official Discord Server for the most up to date testing news.
Alpha Two testing is currently taking place five days each week. More information about Phase II and Phase III testing schedule can be found here
If you have Alpha Two, you can download the game launcher here, and we encourage you to join us on our Official Discord Server for the most up to date testing news.
Comments
The way the music feels and crossfades between zones and specific fights was amazing and immersive
That is kind of a funny question. I've been thinking really hard about this for a while and noticed that I couldn't remember a single song from any MMORPG I've played, despite believing that good music and ambiance matter a lot. But then, how many MMORPGs even tell you what song is playing in the UI?
Most MMORPG music feels like an afterthought, probably because you can't reliably sell players extra tracks in lootboxes. Since music isn't a monetizable focus, it often ends up designed to sit in the background, pleasant enough not to distract you yet not memorable enough to really stick. That, in my opinion, is one of the biggest reasons it tends to be forgettable.
FFXIV is the big exception. I hesitate to call it an MMORPG, really, because it feels more like a Final Fantasy game with multiplayer elements, where other players don't really matter. Still, the music is fantastic. I don't think I've ever heard a track I didn't like, and there have even been times when I replayed a dungeon just because the music was so good.
One thing FFXIV does especially well is its dungeon music. They can go all out with intense, dramatic tracks during a dungeon run because those sessions are relatively short. You get blasted with high energy music for the duration of the dungeon, but before it has a chance to wear you down, the run is over and you have time to recover. Instead of getting sick of the music, you're left thinking, "Hey, that was kinda nice, I wanna go again!"
The problem is that if you blasted players with that kind of intense music constantly, they'd probably get severe musical fatigue and turn the music off entirely. At that point, they would just put on their own Spotify playlists, which might not fit the tone of the game at all. That disconnects them from the experience, which is the last thing you want as a game developer.
How do they make you feel?
Most MMORPG music either makes me feel nothing or reminds me of losing money to lootboxes, which is a little depressing. FFXIV, though, makes me want to jump right back into the game.
How important are music and ambiance to you, and what games do this best?
I think good music and ambiance are very important. The best examples come from games that focus on making the music a core part of the experience rather than just keeping it in the background to avoid tiring players out. MMORPG music has a tough job because it needs to be something you can listen to for ten or more hours without getting sick of it, which forces designers to keep it unobtrusive and, as a result, often forgettable.
I think FFXIV's approach to dungeon and raid music is pretty smart because it leverages the short duration of a run to crank up the intensity. Since you only hear the intense music for a short time, you don't get sick of it. Instead, you look forward to hearing it again.
When it comes to adding music to an MMORPG, I think Elder Scrolls Online found a great trick: NPC bards. They're a cheat code for adding more interesting, vocal heavy music in towns or other places where it fits, without overwhelming or annoying players. Since it feels novel and special, it just works.
It might be worth considering layered music that evolves based on how long you stay in an area or what you're doing. Another idea: let players learn and replay an area's theme. Like, if you become a citizen of a Node, you could play the area's theme on your instrument, a fun little touch.
Stop stalling, give us the music already!
Okay okay! To actually give you some music like you were asking for, here are some examples. The thing with these songs is that while they are nice to listen to, they are a lot less impactful to people who haven't actually played the game. Trying to explain the feeling behind them doesn't really work too well in my opinion.
I think this is a great and very fun example of more intense music that works great in a dungeon, but not so well outside of it. Overall very fun music that gives me a lot of energy.
How does it make me feel? Glorious.
I also love how this sounds beautiful in a way that is all wrong.
And this just makes me smile in the saddest way possible.
Tick Tock
We had some sad songs, so how about a more happy one?
This one makes me feel Fa la la la la la
Well, now I also have to share this one. This one really makes me want to adventure and explore ancient ruins.
While the previous song was happy and kind of funny in my opinion, I do like this version more. It makes me just want to sit down and take it all in for a while. No fighting, no worries, just sitting down and enjoying the scenery.
some examples of songs i did/do like to listen to time to time
Everquest was my first and my best adventures ever...
especially with my Halfling Druid, that was AWESOME...
this is the music of Rivervale...
Music in MMORPGs is, for me, one of the strongest elements when it comes to immersion and nostalgia. There are songs that instantly bring back memories of entire eras of my life.
Some of my all-time favorite MMORPG tracks:
🎵 Priston Tale – Desert Pilgrim
This track gave me that lonely, mystical, and adventurous feeling when grinding in the desert. Even now, just hearing it brings back memories of old friends and endless grinding sessions.
🎵 Priston Tale – Dark Wood
This one had such a dark, almost hypnotic melody that made the temple feel like a mysterious and sacred place.
🎵 Lineage 2 – Town of Dion (Shepherd's Flute)
This is pure nostalgia. L2's music always had that epic, melancholic undertone. This track always made me feel part of a vast and dangerous world.
🎵 Lineage 2 – Dark Elf Village (Deep Shadows)
The perfect example of mood setting. The dark elf village theme was haunting and beautiful at the same time.
🎵 Lineage 2 – The Call of Destiny
A powerful and inspiring piece that makes you feel like you're part of a great adventure.
🎵 Lineage 2 – After the Storm
This track gives that feeling of calm after intense battles.
🎵 Lineage 2 – Crossroad at Dawn
Captures the spirit of new beginnings and crucial choices.
🎵 ArcheAge – Main Theme
The iconic main theme that welcomes you to the world of ArcheAge.
🎵 ArcheAge – Ayanad Library
Ayanad’s music felt like you were stepping into a forbidden place of knowledge, ancient magic, and danger.
🎵 ArcheAge – Solzreed Peninsula
This one made me feel at home. Peaceful, calm, and perfect for farming or just relaxing after battles.
🎵 ArcheAge – Orchidna's Theme (Oblivion)
A melancholic and tragic melody reflecting the story of Orchidna.
🎵 ArcheAge – The Lost Dream
Evokes feelings of nostalgia and hope in a world in constant change.
For me, music and ambiance are core pillars of immersion. They can turn an ordinary zone into a magical experience and create emotional bonds that last for years. Sometimes I listen to these tracks even outside the game, just to feel those moments again.