Rexlandish
Games Audio
Solo Developer +
Music Composer
Sep 2023
I planned for adaptive audio ranging from mechanical to frenzied, and used FL Studio to arrange tracks to separate instruments into layers that would gradually appear as you progressed.
All tracks followed the same 12-bar blues inspired chord progression (I7 - IV7 - I7 - V7 -IV7 - I7 - V7), with all new instruments adding to the bassline, offbeat rhythms, or enhancing the melody.
Composing the Music
The music was designed to react to your progress, transitioning from Industrial to Out of Control, while Energetic throughout.
(See the progression right)
I imagined the final stage as a frenzied panic as you try to play the game.
The bustle and business of big band swing reflected this idea well.
Using FMOD
FMOD helped to ensure player immersion massively. Having intensity increase with progress enhances the anxiety of the increasing difficulty, working with visual aspects in the game that do the same.
Music Progression
Stage 1:
Unswung square wave bass, simple octave jumps
Stage 2:
Electric Bass + Piano
swung 'Sing sing sing' rolling tom
Stage 3:
Offbeat dominant 7ths + Snare
Kick drum added
Solo chromatic clarinet
Stage 4:
Many instruments harmonising melody + piano counter melody
Stage 5:
More instruments harmonising melody + flute counter melody
Tuba bassline