Music has a profound effect on the human mind. Its rhythms and melodies can trigger a wide range of emotions and actions. In esports, music plays an even more important role. The right soundtrack can help to create an engaging atmosphere, motivate players, and even influence the outcome of a match. That’s why many esports games feature some of the most iconic soundtracks in gaming.
Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and Valorant are the top 4 esports games rising in the industry and generating a lot of interest from Millennials and Gen Z. These games all feature music that is both epic and inspiring, helping to make the experience of playing them even more enjoyable.
League of Legends
Riot Games has been responsible for providing League of Legends (LoL) fans with haunting, epic soundtracks since 2014. Many original pieces of music have been released in collaboration with multiple bands, including Pentakill, K/DA, and True Damage. Pentakill was the first to emerge for these purposes in 2014, with a band composed of some of the most professional guitarists, drummers, keyboardists, and DJs.
Among a long list of great soundtracks, including “Rise,” “Legends Never Die,” “Take Over,” and others, “Warsongs” has been a massive hit. Riot Games dropped the Warsongs album in 2016, remixing some of the most popular 11-themed tracks of League of Legends, contributed by some of the best artists, including Mako, The Crystal Method, Marshmello, and others. The album is available on many platforms, including LoL’s website, YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, and Google Play.
Dota 2
Dota 2 players and anyone who has ever encountered the game would have noticed its soundtracks, which enhance the gaming experience and entice gamers into an enthusiastic atmosphere. However, among a long list of soundtracks, some have been and still are mostly cherished by fans, The Dota 2 Official Soundtrack.
It was first released in 2015 by Valve Studio Orchestra and consisted of 18 songs. The professional composition of this soundtrack combines orchestral and electronic elements, creating an immersive impact on gamers during significant events, including fights, victories, and others. It is available on Steam, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and other platforms.
Valorant
The soundtracks of Valorant are a mix of electronic, orchestral, and hip-hop music that create a dynamic and immersive experience for players. The music is designed to excite players for a match, help them stay focused during a round, and create a sense of tension.
The soundtrack features a variety of original tracks, as well as remixes of popular songs. Some of the most popular tracks include “Die For You” by Grabbitz, “Entertain Me” by Ylona Garcia, and “MEGATRON” by Laylow.
Valorant’s music has been praised by critics and fans alike for its quality and ability to enhance the gaming experience. It is composed by talented musicians, including Riot Games’ musical director, Alex Seaver. The soundtrack is available on various streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
Counter-Strike
And what better game to conclude this article than Counter-Strike: Global Offensive? CS:GO was the first video game to introduce the concept of the music kit in 2014. A music kit is an in-game item that adds or updates music in the game. Unlike casual soundtracks, these kits can be replaced in the main menu when winning, losing, or receiving an award.
Many different music kits are available for CS:GO, ranging from electronic to orchestral and rock music. Some of the most popular music kits include:
- High Noon: This music kit combines Western and modern electronic music to create an enthusiastic, upbeat atmosphere.
- Hotline Miami: This music kit features a dark, electronic sound perfect for CS: GO’s fast-paced action.
- The Fall: This music kit features a cinematic, orchestral sound that creates a sense of urgency and excitement.
- The Lab: This music kit features a variety of electronic tracks that are perfect for listening to while you’re playing CS:GO.
The Importance of Music in Esports
- Music helps to create a sense of community among players. When everyone is listening to the same music, it can create a sense of shared experience and excitement.
- Music helps to motivate players to keep playing. It can be hard to put down the controller when the music is pumping.
- Music helps to create a sense of immersion in the game. When the music perfectly matches the action, it can make players feel part of the game.
Conclusion
Creating music for video games has become increasingly popular in recent years. For example, Snoop Dogg and Ellen McLain created two of the top five songs for video games, which shows how popular this industry has become.
Soundtracks are a fundamental part of any gaming experience, and if composed correctly, they can hit the mark precisely and capture gamers’ attention. The esports games mentioned above have excelled in creating an engaging atmosphere by using the right music and sounds.