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**I am limited to 4000 characters for this description, so if you want to learn a bit of the background to each piece in this playlist, I encourage you to go to the individual track! Or, send a message my way and we can chat!**
Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy the music, and the game that I am privileged to have worked on!
Game Logo by: Annie Ly | http://anndly.weebly.com/
Game Created by: UC Davis Game Development and Arts Club | https://davisgamedev.com/
Track 1: Acceptance Letter!
Eww is that MIDI!? Yup! Don't judge, it was deliberate! This was with the intention of giving a sense of nostalgia to 8bit style music that accompanied all those classic RPGs. While I don't have access to something to make a more chiptune sound, this was close enough! The music is meant to bring a sense of excitement as well as accomplishment to the player; this is when they get their acceptance letter to the university where they will attend in the game. Hmm... maybe a bit of this music will come back?
Track 2: Campus Theme
See, no more MIDI. Although, I am subjected to the sounds the Sibelius 8 comes with. This theme is very much meant to be relaxing; one can kind of just stroll through campus with this going on. The melody is shared between a saxophone and clarinet. Both have a warmth to their sounds that I think compliment the atmosphere we have established for the campus. Combined with a steady beat, it welcomes the player to explore campus at their leisure. There's no rush, not yet.
Track 3: ALPHA's Basement Base
This is the music that players hear when they first encounter the being known as ALPHA. They're a shifty little being, but are also very likable. Once you get to know them, you'll see that they have a long storied past and background. In addition to the humor they bring to the game, they also help the player as they travel through time! Oh yes. There's time travel!
The music is meant to be very lighthearted and fun, albeit a little mysterious as well. I took some inspiration from the wonderful Grant Kirkhope and his soundtrack to the Rare game Banjo-Kazooie. The baseline is very bubbly, and the melodies are fun!
Track 4: The End of the Day
Here, our player has finally made their way back in time! They arrive at Kings College, and everyone is leaving for the evening. In order to better convey that it was night time when they arrive, I chose to use a harp and ostinato to give a lulling quality to the music. In addition to that, the other instruments were chosen because, in my opinion, they poses a very warm quality to them, which invites one to relax and wind down.
The music is ambiguous at first, we're not sure if we are in a minor key or a major key. Once the melody comes in, it becomes quite clear where we are tonally. The melody itself if simple and sweet.
TRACK 5: Russian to Meet Pushkin
This track welcomes our players to the cold, snowy, beautiful landscape that is Russia. My instinct immediately had me go with something slow and a bit dark fir this one... so what is this? We all found that that kind of music was much to somber for the level! So I went the other direction, gave it a jolly attitude, and threw in some sleigh bells-- or Christmas Salt Shakers as one member of the team calls them(which we thankfully removed). I once again channeled a bit of the fabulous Grant Kirkhope and his style by going to other key areas with little preparation.
All in all, this piece is meant to be fun, upbeat, and encourage the player to enjoy the antics of the level!
Track 6: One Does Not Simply Waltz into Russia
Track 7: ESFP
Track 8: A Desert, as far as the Eye can See
Track 9: The Gardens of Murasaki
Track 10: Favors in Germany
Track 11: An Adventure Ends, Another Begins!/Credits
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