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MIDI Suitability

Author:

The Chris Street

Submitted:

10th July, 2002

Views:

7819

Rated:

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM! Get wit da flow, man.

Ahem. I've noticed recently that many klik games don't really seem to have their MIDIS suited to them. As I'm certainly no expert in MIDI composition, I just thought Id offer my own opinions and examples on how MIDIS should be placed.

Eternal Daughter
A great game, as I'm sure everyone whos played it will know...with the exception of a couple of people. All the midis for this game are very well suited to their themes. They are also original, but thats beside the point. Original or not, the creators of ED have chosen which MIDI suits each area extremely well, most notably the underground "neon" zone, which has a perfect theme which really suits the area. Likewise, the desert theme music, although pretty repetitive, suits that particular area, with the right instruments playing (clicky things and guitar, I think), which is sort of reminiscent of a wild west scenario. The only level which I'm unsure about is the final level, the one where you must enter the Pee - Oh - Are - Tee -Ay - Ell which, although it probably has the best composition of the lot, doesnt really "suit" that level...how many of you have thought that?

Eternal Daughter though, is more a serious game. To get a better idea for the themes of music, I now show you "Exhibit B".

Peetwos Revenge
Bogosofts beautiful little gem, and one of my personal favourites. All the levels tunes, bar a couple, are pretty cartoony, and extremely suitable to their levels. The Citrus Hills music stands out here, with the little yellow rockmen. Its a comical style of music, best suited in childrens cartoons, yet Bogosoft seems to have carefully chosen it well. Its not original mind, but again, as with ED, its not the point. The Minecart level too has a well chosen theme. It's fairly fastly paced, and catchy.

Ok, I've shown you two examples here which use MIDIS well. Ok, there are doubtlessly many more which have well chosen songs, but these two constantly spring to mind.

No-one likes a repetitive midi. An example of this would be:

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM with no change in speed or rhythm.

BOOM BOOM BADABOOM BOOM BOOM BADABOOM. Now this is better. It gives the feeling of rhythm and speed, ideal for platform games.

Choosing A MIDI

OPENING LEVEL: Usually grassy, this should have a very catchy theme to ease you into the game. It shouldnt be too hardcore, just..catchy. And happy.

RAINY LEVEL: Maybe a gentle guitar riff for this, a fairly slow, moody theme with a low bass.

PURSUIT LEVEL: Obviously, when you are being chased, you have to hurry. This theme should take on a more urgent nature. Pumping rock would do well here.

BOSS: Well, it has to be both menacing and catchy at the same time. And most boss songs repeat themselves too.

LAVA: More deep bass, possibly high violins, a slow, plodding beat. Should be catchy too.

Eh...I would write more, but I have to cook dinner now. Still, maybe this will help you when you wish to choose suitable midis for a game, or which to compose your own. See you later, ma boppin homeys.

Posted by Jack Frost

10th July, 2002

some good examples but there are loads more, basically you put music for the mood of the level.

Posted by Canaryman

10th July, 2002

i've heard a lot of crap about midi's but that really takes the biscuit circy.
sure you have the idea that people should have midi's that SUIT the level, but trying to find one that EVERYONE thinks will suit is difficult and it may only be your opinion of the music that you have taken this stance. I think you should also rethink the CHOOSING A MIDI section.
You are saying everone follows this formula and only have the same 6 or 7 levels in a game, but they don't.
You've been going to the "SONIC SCHOOL OF GAME DESIGN"
As for not adding in hardcore stuff until the end, what about action games, that throw you in at the deep end, i think heart pumping, ear bursting music to grind your keyboard to.

Oh, and remember, there are those all important MOD and MP3 Files to consider

Posted by Canaryman

10th July, 2002

The award for most uses of the word "catchy" in an article.

A WINNER IS YOU!

Posted by Ben Talbot

10th July, 2002

You know, even when he's not trying to be offensive, he manages to offend someone. That's real talent.

Or maybe people just need to chill.

Posted by Nobuyuki

10th July, 2002

haha, sonic school. Believe it or not, that's what some people want. It's hard to make music that matches, a lot easier to pick music you like which is made by other people.

Posted by Mohr Stoutbeard

10th July, 2002

Yeah, Christ Canaryman. You're not exactly Jesus With A Jetpack yourself.

Circy may unwittingly act annoying or arrogant sometimes, but you people who constantly berate him don't even realize you're acting many times worse.

No intentional offense to anyone. Although I could throw in some comment about how Canaryman's avatar looks like a flattened duck having an oral bowel movement, but I doubt that would be seen as the good-natured ribbing in which it was presented. So forget I said anything.

Posted by ben_02

10th July, 2002

HAHAHAHA

Posted by The Chris Street

11th July, 2002

"I just thought Id offer my own opinions and examples"

That means that everyone DOES NOT HAVE to use these ideas

Posted by The Chris Street

11th July, 2002

o_O? I only used the >b< and >/b< tags

Posted by The Chris Street

11th July, 2002

Hmm. Something is wrong. That time I used no tags at all

Posted by DBack

11th July, 2002

That was pod's doing not you. This should fix it

Posted by HiredGun

11th July, 2002

This article isn't that bad... the "Choose a MIDI" bit at the end is quite useful.

Posted by colej_uk

11th July, 2002

Why does everybody seem to hate Circy? He's not that bad!

Posted by Tockus

11th July, 2002

i like circy

Posted by Mårten

11th July, 2002

Yeah, this jumping on the "kick Circy while he's down"-train is getting pretty dull. It was fun (relatively) when Podunkian was doing it, but now everybody seems to search for something bad to rub in Circy's face. I don't want to get on anyone's side here but you gotta hand it to Circy that he seems to have experience in the questions in which he shares his opinions with us. Be they smart or not he did think them through and they almost always have a point (although you may not spot it easily).

And the Sonic games uses mostly fusion songs for that matter.

Posted by Karl Hedlund

12th July, 2002

THOSE WHO THINK THE SONG IN THE CAVERN WITH THE CATS DOES FIT SHOULD BE SHOT! THAT SONG DOESN'T FIT ANYWHERE IN A FANTASY GAME!

Posted by Mohr Stoutbeard

12th July, 2002

Nothing is fun when Podunkian is doing it.

Posted by Caderay

13th July, 2002

Good article...
And I agree, people kicking Circy in the ass at every corner need to grow up. Most people are just jumping on the bandwagon, so if you don't like the guy, don't waste your time reading his article.

Posted by Lew

15th July, 2002

Hum yeah, i agree...Circy makes some good points, and isn't that bad. I mean come on, my 9 yr old sister in year 5 at school acts better than that! Ahem.

Posted by Ashman

17th July, 2002

Personally I think Podunkian is an Ass but hey thats me. I'm not a huge fan of Circy cos he can be quite annoying and whatever but give the guy some credit. Helpful or not, this article was an attempt to assist us and you seem to just take offence to everything. So if this instance LEAVE CIRCY ALONE!!!!! (bear in mind that is a statement allocated to this particular article. he may make an article where I say 'Go my prettys kill!!! KILL!!! lol)

Oh and I am alright at putting in good midis but thats not the point! My favourite part of making a game is the title screen. (I have only just realised the importance and fun in title screens so no jabs about previous attempts). My second favourite thing is finding midis for each level!!! Its fun. I sit there playing midis for ages trying find one I like lol.

But I still think Podunkian is an ASS!

Posted by Ashman

17th July, 2002

Oh yeah two more things!!!

One- CIRCY thank you so so so SO much for the new avatar on your part. The old one with the eyes just freaked me out. It's the only 60x56 pic I knew that could give the illusion of filling the screen LOL!

Two- I thought the bit with Podunkian not getting the tags thing right but then Circy was doing it was hilarious!!!!! I thought Circy was showing him up lol. Damn I wish it wasn't a mistake!

Posted by Matt Boothman

26th September, 2004