Music for Writing - Game Soundtracks 🎮 🎶✍️

Sharing a list of writing-related playlists, and a couple of soundtracks from games as a great alternative for background music for writing and work in general | MC #73

Jan 24, 2024

Hello Friend,

I hope you are having a great week thus far. Mine is going pretty well. It was especially nice to spend some time with my beloved Grandparents 🫶👵👴. In Poland, we have Grandma’s Day on the 21st of January, and Grandpa’s Day a day after that on the 22nd of January.

Last week on Saturday,

Remy Bazerque

from

Enfant Terrible

(one of my new favorite newsletters, full of wit and thought-provoking essays), asked his readers the following questions:

”When I write, I like to manipulate my mood with music to differentiate tones. Is that something you do? Care to share your favourite tunes for different moods?”
— remybazerque.substack.com

As I was on the go and did not have much time to laser in on these, I simply answered that my current favorite music for writing is ambient, from the playlist I recently made - write it all out 〰️ ambient session. But Remy’s questions have deeply stuck in my mind and made me think about my writing routines.

I often choose to write in complete silence with my noise-cancellation headphones on, but when I need some additional stimulation, there are plenty of playlists I go to, depending on the mood I’m in. I thought it might be useful to share a list of my writing-related playlists, that serve different purposes and states:

For doing research work, and when I'm building a rough draft of an essay, I usually need additional stimulation from different, unique sound combinations that will keep me in a sort of pumped-up, curious state of mind, I choose mostly these two: Brain Stimulators 💡, and more energetic Home Office Music 🏡👩‍💻🎶☕️

For deep focus and that part of writing when I don’t want unnecessary distractions and need more subtle, toned-down sounds with absolutely no vocals - Inspiration Station ✨🧠✍️ and Focus Pocus 🧙🧠💡
For journaling and working with emotions, when I’m seeking ease, comfort, and lightness - SELF CARE TIME 🙏, and Tranquility Session ☁️🪶🧘‍♀️ Relaxing sounds of Nature

This week, I’m mostly working to sounds of Bardcore, and Tavernwave, and trying out a recent recommendation from

Fog Chaser

- Spotify’s "medieval vibes" playlist, which instantly clicked with me. Thanks, Matt! 🫶

It would be awesome if you decide to share your current favorite too:

Game Soundtracks for writing

Game soundtracks can be an excellent alternative for background music during work for a couple of reasons:

Designed for Immersion: soundtracks are usually made by skillful composers to enhance the gaming experience, and immerse players in the virtual world 👾. This kind of music should be very engaging, and emotionally resonant, and must help the player concentrate on a game.
Variety of Moods: Best games have diverse settings and scenarios, leading to soundtracks that cover a wide range of moods and emotions ☺︎〰️☹︎. Game soundtracks must answer to any gamer’s needs and gaming rhythm in general - sometimes calming, uplifting, and sometimes more rousing and intense.
Instrumental Focus: Many game soundtracks are primarily instrumental, without unnecessary and distracting lyrics. It for sure serves better concentration, taking off the cognitive load of processing and interpreting lyrics.
Epic and Motivational: Game soundtracks are designed to evoke a desire for adventure, make the player seek achievement, and be ready to experience something out of this world. Such compositions must be motivating, energizing ⚡️, and suitable for tasks that require focus and determination.
Extended Playlists: Soundtracks from games are typically long (dozen+ songs) and quite diverse, often lasting for hours! ♾️ This is advantageous for extended work sessions, as the music won't become repetitive or distracting after a short period.
Familiarity without Distraction: If you've played a particular game, its soundtrack can bring back memories without being overly distracting. The familiarity can create a comfortable and focused atmosphere without demanding too much attention. I personally l-o-v-e that! 🫶
No Interruptions: Game soundtracks should be composed to seamlessly integrate with the whole gaming experience. There are usually no sudden changes or interruptions in the music, which can be beneficial for maintaining a steady workflow 🌊🧑‍💻
Thematic Consistency: Soundtracks in games are usually created with a specific theme in mind. They should align well with the overall narrative, and atmosphere of the game. This thematic consistency for sure helps the listener to stay focused and simply concentrate better on a given task.

Ultimately, the choice of background music is of course highly personal, and some people may enjoy something that others won’t. I think being open to experimenting with different genres and styles, finding new sounds, and discovering what works best for you in various work situations is important for deepening self-awareness and self-care. Oftentimes, you may find yourself quite surprised that a particular kind of music resonates with you, even though you weren’t able to picture yourself liking it before first listening.

Okay, it is time to introduce a couple of soundtracks from games, that in my opinion are great for writing ✍️, and basically doing any work that requires focus:

🛶 "Spiritfarer"

I can definitely say that this is my favorite game ever. As a Spirit Guide named Stella ⭐️, you have to navigate a surreal realm, solve puzzles, and overcome challenges to aid lost souls in finding peace. The game is full of captivating stories, eccentric characters, and brilliant dialogues. Playing "Spiritfarer" was like an emotional rollercoaster for me - I laughed, got angry, was frustrated at times, and even cried a little. In this game, you have to take care of the souls you meet during the trip in many different ways, from keeping them company to cooking for them and building their personal cabins. During cruises here and there you can go fishing, plant something, harvest crops, or take part in various special events such as catching falling stars ✨.

undefined — **"Spiritfahrer"** game (2020)

"Spiritfarer" seamlessly blends stunning visuals with a hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack, that sets the perfect mood. It weaves a cool narrative, exploring deep themes about life in general and how we are all connected. It's not just a game, it's an emotional journey that's bound to stick with you. There’s no way you won’t think about your own mortality and loved ones. If you like slower-paced games and haven’t played "Spiritfarer" already, I think it’s really worth checking out.

I’m sure listening to the soundtrack from "Spiritfarer" can be a nice experience for anyone, not only those who played the game. What to expect? Haunting, ethereal melodies, subtle ambient tones, delicate sounds of harps, flutes, and more.

Listen on Spotify

🔴 "Surviving Mars"

This game challenges players to establish a sustainable human settlement on the red planet. With a blend of strategy, resource management, and city-building, "Surviving Mars" offers a fun and unique experience. What to expect? Fighting the harsh realities of Martian survival, overcoming challenges like resource scarcity, unpredictable weather events, and the delicate balance of life support systems & more...

As you navigate the intricacies of establishing a thriving colony, the soundtrack does an amazing job of complementing the atmosphere and truly immerses you in the cosmic frontier. In "Surviving Mars" there are a bunch of different radios, like The Official Mars Radio, The Free Earth Channel, Quantrum Sonics, Red Frontier. All of these contain songs created for this game by many different composers. It’s a great mix of mostly ambient-soaked tunes and non-invasive melodies. These compositions from "Surviving Mars" help you imagine well the solitude of the Martian landscape, but also offer some uplifting melodies during breakthrough moments. For me, it’s a perfect accompaniament to the highs and lows of building a colony on the red planet, but also a unique and stimulative way to stay focused during writing or working on something focus-requiring. Some of these compositions just hit me square in the face with nostalgia! See how they work for you

⏳ "Journey"

"Journey" is a game that hypnotized me with its beauty, but to be completely honest with you - I haven’t finished it yet. It’s really slow-paced game with absolutely breathtaking views, and many unknowns to unravel. It takes its players on a mesmerizing odyssey through a vast and mysterious desert. For me, it’s this kind of game that requires you to be in a certain state of mind and in the mood to play it, and fully experience its impressive aesthetics. This is definitely not the type of dynamic platform game!

“Journey”'s soul-stirring soundtrack, composed by Austin Wintory, is a masterpiece on its own! In 2012 it became the first-ever Grammy-nominated videogame score. The music perfectly mirrors the emotional arc of the game, from the initial moments of discovery to the triumphant peaks and poignant valleys of the journey. Wintory's orchestral arrangements, coupled with haunting vocal performances, create an immersive soundscape that elevates the emotional resonance of each moment.

What also makes the "Journey" soundtrack exceptional is its ability to evoke a profound emotional response. The music doesn't just complement the gameplay. It becomes an integral part of the narrative, enhancing the sense of wonder and connection that defines the game. Whether you're soaring over vast dunes or navigating ancient ruins, the soundtrack serves as a powerful and evocative companion, turning "Journey" into an unforgettable and deeply moving experience for players, and listeners. Enjoy!