If you think that games are just silly pastimes, especially for serious musicians, think again. In fact, a 2012 study conducted by UNLV psychologists was the first to conclusively show that people who play music video games, like Guitar Hero or Rock Band, have better music listening skills than non-musicians. Even when taking into account the possibility that these gamers already have natural musical talent, still, playing music video games can significantly improve one’s musical abilities.
Of course, over the years, music and gaming have had a very strong connection. Many games have been dedicated to music across genres — from the late ‘90s classic Dance Dance Revolution to more modern music rhythm mobile apps like Deemo. Musical acts, too, have often been featured in musical games to help developers reach new audiences. Just as the Guitar Hero franchise expanded their titles to Aerosmith, Metallica, and Van Halen-themed titles, the array of games on Foxy Bingo, a leading online gaming provider, includes titles like Elvis, which features the King of Rock and Roll himself, and Rocketman, a slot that is loosely based on Elton John. This just goes to show how linked these two industries have become, and these titles won’t be the last in the shared tradition of musical games.
Indeed, music has made an indelible mark in the world of gaming, and musicians can improve their performance skills through playing. So, here are three of the best games you can get your hands on to develop the musician in you.
Piano by Gismart
Gismart’s Piano app is now one of the most popular music apps on the market with more than 100 million downloads. It is an electric keyboard simulator that uses virtual instruments like the harpsichord, organ, and even a grand piano to help you learn all the basics. The app includes a ‘magic tile’ game, which gives you a note guide, so you can play well-known songs on your own. Aside from that, you can even write, record, and share your own compositions!
Tetris Effect by Enhance Games
First released in 2018 by Enhance Games, Tetris Effect took the original Tetris game we’ve grown up with and incorporated music to provide an extraordinary experience. As in the classic game, players must create complete lines out of tetrominoes, but now, the pieces will influence the beat of the music being played. It also has a feature called ‘Zone mechanic,’ which stops the time so that players can clear more than four lines at once, and a meta-game leveling system that brings new challenges as players progress. Because of these developments, the game has received high praises, nominations, and awards from critics, including the Best VR/AR Game at the 2018 Game Critics Awards.
Avicii | Gravity HD by Hello There Games
Swedish DJ Avicii, before releasing his debut album True in 2013, collaborated with Hello There Games to create an Avicii world, where music and gaming combine. The game is fast-paced and uniquely immersive as players can access exclusive mixes, purchase in-game music through iTunes, and interact with each other. As the game moves forward, the melodies also build up depending on the environment, and more content is unlocked. The game has become so popular that it even reached gamers far beyond Avicii’s fan base, and was downloaded more than half a million times just a month after its release.
With both the gaming and music industries invading the global media landscape, there is a mutual relationship between the two. Artists are grabbing the opportunity to take their music to the gaming community, while gamers are honing their skills with music. Since more and more music games are now being recognized, developers will surely craft brand new worlds and appealing storylines — with a wonderful twist of music.
Do you want to stay updated with the latest music news? Check out Xttrawave for all the best music news.