Jazz is a distinct genre that is often overlooked when we think of music in video games. For this episode, we uncover and dissect the world of jazz in video game music – from ‘live’ music to creating historical authenticity to establishing the genre of ‘film noire’ through its connection with jazz. Each member looked at a specific game that featured Jazz music including L.A. Noire, Grim Fandango, Diggs Nightcrawler, and even the first Sims game. From discussions of nostalgia to new age jazz, this podcast takes you through a variety of video games that feature their own distinct jazz sound.

Music used, in order that it appears in the podcast:

• The Sims Soundtrack: Building Mode 4, by Jerry Martin and Marc Russo
• Grim Fandango OST – 12 – Manny’s Office, By Peter McConnell
• Grim Fandango OST – 02 – Swanky Maximino, By Peter McConnell
• LA Noire OST – 01 – Main Theme, By Andrew HaleandSimon Hale
• LA Noire OST – 24 – (I Always Kill) The Things I Love, Produced and written by Stephen Coates (of The Real Tuesday Weld) and featuring the guest vocals of Claudia Brucken (of Propaganda)
• Grim Fandango OST – 06 – Hi-Tone Fandango, By Peter McConnell
• Diggs Nightcrawler OST – Prologue, By Jim Fowler
• Diggs Nightcrawler OST – Hood and Seek, By Jim Fowler
• Diggs Nightcrawler OST – The Nightcrawler is In, By Jim Fowler
• LA Noire OST – 05 – Minor 9th, By Andrew HaleandSimon Hale
• Grim Fandango OST – 03 – Smooth Hector, By Peter McConnell
• Diggs Nightcrawler OST – Eggs in the City, By Jim Fowler
• The Sims Soundtrack: Building Mode 5, by Jerry Martin and Marc Russo
• LA Noire OST – 08 – Noire Clarinet, By Andrew HaleandSimon Hale
• The Sims Soundtrack: Building Mode 2, by Jerry Martin and Marc Russo
• Diggs Nightcrawler OST – Diggs and the Pigs, By Jim Fowler
• Grim Fandango OST – 04 – Mr Frustration Man, By Peter McConnell
• LA Noire OST – 11 – Temptation, Part 3, By Andrew HaleandSimon Hale
• Psycho (theme), By Bernard Herman
• Diggs Nightcrawler OST – Welcome to Library City, By Jim Fowler
• LA Noire OST – 25 – Guilty, Produced and written by Stephen Coates (of The Real Tuesday Weld) and featuring the guest vocals of Claudia Brucken (of Propaganda)
• Grim Fandango OST – 01 – Casino Calavera, By Peter McConnell
• The Sims Soundtrack: Building Mode 1, by Jerry Martin and Marc Russo
• Diggs Nightcrawler OST – Table Top Jump, By Jim Fowler

Women have been composing music for video games since their inception and yet their stories can often be forgotten amongst a male-dominated industry. Today’s episode looks to focus in on a selection of women who are behind the sound we hear in video games, both past and present. From Yoko Shimomura’s iconic Street Fighter II soundtrack to the sound design by up-and-comer Em Halberstadt for the award-winning Night In The Woods, the Game Music team is looking at some of their favourite women, their influences, and the versatility of their talents. The team also poses the question, “What sort of social conditioning have these composers and designers experienced as women and have we experienced as listeners?”

Mental Health awareness has become a global topic of discussion – and the video game industry has been getting in on the conversation. In this episode, the research team explores the impact and role that music plays in video games recognized as part of the mental health conversation. From The Last of Us to Gris to Hellblade to Celeste, the Game Music 101 team looks to unpack the portrayal of mental health in these games and how – if at all – the music and sounds we hear bring us to a better understanding of this very important topic.

Music Tracks:

Gustavo Santaolalla – Main Theme, The Last Of Us soundtrack

David García Díaz, “Druth”, HellBlade: Senua’s Sacrifice soundtrack

David Garcia/Andy LaPlegua, “Fight Theme”, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice soundtrack

Berlinist, “Mae”, Gris soundtrack

Berlinist, “Pt 1 + Pt 2”, Gris soundtrack

Lena Raine, “My Dearest Friends”, Celeste soundtrack

Lena Raine, “Spirit of Hospitality”, Celeste soundtrack

Lena Raine, “First Steps”, Celeste soundtrack

Berlinist, “In Your Hands”, Gris soundtrack

David Garcia/Andy LaPlegua, “Dillion”, HellBlade: Senua’s Sacrifice soundtrack

Gustavo Santaolalla, “All Gone (Seasons)”, The Last of Us soundtrack

Toby “Radiation” Fox with FL Studio, “Megalovania”, Undertale soundtrack

Lena Raine, “Resurrections”, Celeste soundtrack

Berlinist, “Comparison”, Gris soundtrack

Berlinist, “Perseverance”, Gris soundtrack

David Garcia/Andy LaPlegua, “Fight Theme 2”, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice soundtrack

Gustavo Santaolalla, “The Quarantine Zone (20 Years Later)”, The Last of Us soundtrack

David Garcia/Andy LaPlegua, “Psych”, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice soundtrack

Lena Raine, “In the Mirror”, Celeste soundtrack

Lena Raine, “Scattered and Lost”, Celeste soundtrack

Gustavo Santaolalla, “All Gone (No Escape)”, The Last of Us soundtrack

David Garcia/Andy LaPlegua, “Just Like Sleep”, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice soundtrack