Poll: Gaming with music

[TheKagestar]

So I was considering making a thread about music in video games. Either in game or on your radio/mp3/iPod while you game.

Personally, before I quit WoW, I used to listen to game OSTs of Ridge Racer Type 4 and Die Hard trilogy while farming for materials. It would make the task so much easier as time would seem to fly. But recently enough, playing games such as MW2 and Halo, I would keep the sound down to hear what's happening around me.

Give me your thoughts about what music you like to listen to while you game (and what games too!).

Thanks for your time Escapists! =)

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

Eh, sometimes I listen to my own music when playing games.
Well, when I used to, it improved my in-game performance.
But I haven't done so recently. I blame Microsoft, as my 360 no longer detects my MP3 player when it is plugged in >.>
And as for what I listened to, a range of things.

Spoiler: Some examples

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

There needs to be a poll option for "only if the game is so old that it doesn't have sound." I used to play music in the background while I was playing Zork, but that was about it for me. There's also the occasional game like Audiosurf, where the whole point is playing your own music, and the Xbox version of Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2, which allowed you to make your own playlist. In the case of Need For Speed, even though the game had its own sound track, it was just emulating a radio station for driving music, so it didn't negatively impact the game to add your own music. I guess I should vote that it depends...

 

[Junkle]

If I'm playing a game that requires reactions to sound (FPS's, usually) I simply won't listen to music. Most games I play, however, don't require that.

Fantasy games get a fantasy-related soundtrack. Usually power metal, depending on the game. Which is entertaining when I hear "Emerald Sword", and I just picked up a green, glass sword.

Racing games usually get classical music. It's an excellent combination, the roar of motors and some Beethoven.

Also, if it's a game I'm familiar with, I just set iTunes to shuffle. Then I get an interesting mix.

Finally, I find the Firefly OST is excellent for space-age games. Well, that and the Mass Effect OST. Those used to be my soundtrack for Eve Online.

 

[TheKagestar]

Racing games usually get classical music. It's an excellent combination, the roar of motors and some Beethoven.

Oh yes most definatly! Classical music sounds so amazing with the rumble of a high tuned engine! ^^

 

[Ironic Pirate]

I would, but only if the game could do it right. By that I mean play music during combat and travel, but stop it during conversations, because I don't really want to bother messing with that every time. Can't really listen from my iPod, because I only have noise cancelling head-phones...

 

[Warwelde]

I listen either to Extra Credits or Spotifys Top List while playing Starcraft 2. Too bad my windows key doesn't work anymore...

 

[DenSomKastade]

When There is no voices ingame and I've heard all the music I usually turn on music. Always nice with a little music.

 

[hittite]

It depends. Some games really nail the music. Either being the perfect atmosphere or just that good. Others, though, make me want to remove my ear drums with a rusty ice pick. It all depends on the game.

 

[Weaver]

It depends. In games like FPSs i usually turn off all music as I can hear where people are more easily.

In games without such dependent audio cues I usually play my own music.

 

[Nokterne]

Anytime I play a "horde" mode in a game (Zombies, Firefight, etc) I put on music. Mowing down the same enemies over and over, especially at the beginning is really boring without it.

I've been listening to a lot of music while playing Black Ops as well, the people I get matched to are usually terrible enough that the lack of in game sound doesn't matter.

 

[Artina89]

If I am grinding, I always put on my own music. Grinding and leveling up in Persona 3 and 4 is always a bit more epic with a bit of malabar front.


epic.

 

[rockyoumonkeys]

Nope. Prefer to focus on whatever's going on in the game.

 

[BJK55123]

Music makes grinding go by a lot faster. If I'm not grinding though, I'm probably going to be listening to the game.