October 21, 2023, 8:10 am | Read time: 7 minutes
In addition to graphics, story, and mechanics, the soundtrack is also crucial for a video game. Those who listen closely will discover songs from well-known bands or famous artists.
Whether it’s thrilling adventures, fast-paced racing action, or humorous platformers, many video game producers focus not only on cinematic scenes but also on providing the right soundtrack for their games. Razor-sharp gameplay combined with pulsating beats brings adrenaline to a peak while gaming. We’ve taken a look at which famous artists and bands have contributed to video game soundtracks.
Fear Factory – Demolition Racer
The name “Demolition Racer” already hints at what this 1999 game is about. It’s all about crashes. The name Racer is misleading because this game is not about best times but about spectacular crashes. In various game modes, typical American race cars constantly collide with each other.
Of course, the music has to be intense as well. The U.S. metal band Fear Factory provides this with razor-sharp guitar riffs and pounding double bass, creating a deafening symphony of metal mayhem. It’s no wonder the title track is called “Full Metal Contact.”
Nine Inch Nails – Quake
In the first-person shooter “Quake” from 1996, our hero blasts through a dark military base. In various levels, the heavily armed superhero searches for a mysterious demonic force that has wiped out the entire base crew. Our hero is the sole survivor.
For this horror scenario, the U.S. industrial metal band Nine Inch Nails provides goosebump-inducing sounds. The individual tracks vary between eerie electronic sounds and driving guitar riffs.
David Bowie – Omikron: The Nomad Soul
Long before the pandemic, the video game “Omikron: The Nomad Soul” enchanted gamers. This 1999 science fiction adventure allowed players to move freely for the first time, paving the way for a whole genre: open-world games. All buildings can be entered, and all characters can be interacted with. Rock legend David Bowie provides the soundtrack.
In the late 1990s, Bowie experimented with electronic and ambient sounds. His tracks underscore the post-apocalyptic atmosphere of the game. By the way, David Bowie himself appears in the game as a digital version, though we won’t reveal where.
Michael Jackson – Sonic 3
Yes, the King of Pop is also on this list. Few Michael Jackson fans may know that the pop icon contributed some sound ideas for the 1994 Sega hit “Sonic 3.” Like many stories about Michael Jackson, his involvement in this fun video game remains shrouded in mystery. Officially, his name did not appear during the game’s presentation in the mid-1990s.
However, there are clear passages that suggest Jackson’s involvement. Why Sega chose not to mention him during the game’s introduction is open to speculation. It could be that Michael Jackson’s controversial media presence, especially regarding his interactions with children, led Sega to avoid drawing attention, as “Sonic 3” targets a younger audience.
Djerv – League of Legends
Another big name in the gaming world is “League of Legends.” This multiplayer online battle arena game (MOBA) launched in 2009. The goal is to destroy the opponent’s Nexus. Some songs from the game have become quite famous, and “Get Jinxed” by Djerv is definitely one of them. The Norwegian band released the song in collaboration with Riot Games in 2013.
Imagine Dragons – League of Legends
And once again, “League of Legends.” In various versions, the game captivates millions of gamers worldwide, drawing attention from musicians. The U.S. pop-rock band Imagine Dragons wanted to share in the game’s fame. In 2014, they contributed the track “Warriors” for the current edition of League of Legends. The epic song serves as the perfect anthem for online battles. Let the games begin!
Paul McCartney – Destiny
This artist is perhaps one of the least expected musicians on this list. Paul McCartney, the Beatles’ bassist and a British rock and pop icon, provided an exclusive song for the 2014 first-person shooter “Destiny.” His song “Hope for the Future” sets the stage for this apocalyptic online game. In a distant future, humanity battles an alien force.
The game offers not only a top-notch soundtrack but also many visual delights. It’s no wonder “Destiny” was considered the most expensive video game of its time. Allegedly, $500 million was spent on its development, with a significant portion likely landing in Paul McCartney’s bank account.
Ariana Grande & Katy Perry – Final Fantasy
The role-playing game “Final Fantasy” has a long history. Since 1987, the video game has captivated gamers worldwide on various platforms. For the “Brave Exvius” version of Final Fantasy, the developers brought in a female pop star. American singer Ariana Grande not only appears in the game but also contributes an exclusive song, “Touch It.”
Katy Perry – Final Fantasy
That’s not all. U.S. singer Katy Perry also didn’t hesitate to contribute to “Brave Exvius” with the track “Immortal Flame.” Fun fact: When “Final Fantasy” was released in 1987, Square, the Japanese producer of the game, was on the brink of bankruptcy. The creators are now far from that situation. Well-known musicians and bands regularly contribute songs to the popular role-playing game.
Pink & Eminem – Call of Duty
“Call of Duty,” or CoD for short, is one of the most successful video game series in the world. Since 2003, gamers have eagerly awaited each new edition of the first-person shooter. In the 2010 edition “Black Ops,” our hero embarks on an adventurous mission in Vietnam, Laos, Cuba, and Russia. The CoD series is never gentle, and the sound is equally intense. The wordsmith U.S. rapper Eminem fires his lyrics in the track “Won’t Back Down” at the gamer. He is supported by U.S. rock singer Pink. With so much vocal power, the trigger finger is set to full auto.
10 Sci-Fi and Fantasy Series We Love
The Best TV Series of All Time
Avenged Sevenfold – Call of Duty
In fact, several songs by the heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold can be found in the “Call of Duty” games. In 2010, the band composed the song “Not Ready to Die,” featured in the game “Black Ops.” For “Black Ops II,” Avenged Souls provided the song “Carry On.”
As an Easter egg, you can also hear the song “Shepherd of Fire.” With “Jade Helm” and “Mad Hatter,” more tracks followed for “Call of Duty.” It is one of the most well-known and enduring shooter series in the world.
Chvrches – Death Stranding
The post-apocalyptic drama and open-world game “Death Stranding” from 2019 is almost like a movie. Real actors were hired for some main characters. Norman Reedus, known from “The Walking Dead,” plays the hero Sam Porter Bridges. Despite the apocalyptic setting, the game is about unity, community, and love. Sam Porter Bridges tries to reconnect isolated cities and a divided society. The dark yet hopeful soundtrack is provided by the Scottish electro-pop band Chvrches.