I'm in a mood. No seriously. There are three things I'm thinking about.
I've been reading over short biographies of composers who pioneered in video game music and I see a common theme:
None of them really aspired to make video game music.
But that's just because none of them really knew what they were getting into, I suppose. Moving on...
You see guys like Nobuo Uematsu (of Final Fantasy music fame) who's ambition as a young composer was to be like Elton John, a rock star. He had no formal training, but looked to guys like Elton John and others who rocked out on the piano for musical influence. Can you believe through working various day jobs he suddenly found himself with classic pieces on his hands such as the Prologue and Matoya's theme from Final Fantasy?
Such kind of works took video game composers into a notoriety they did not realize until much later. These pieces are just examples of music becoming ingrained in sub-sects of society that then begin to creep, then grow and flourish into the rest of culture without billboard charts, marketing (of the music itself), label producers, etc. and suddenly it's there. It might not be clear at first, but the music got there by being part of something greater than itself. The music alone, the 8-bit tones, the repetitive nature would have never become anything alone, but pointing to something greater, a conglomerate environment into which a person puts themselves into the middle of takes on a whole new light.
- The false dichotomy set up between traditional music (hymns, organs, choirs) and contemporary music (guitars, solos, drums) in the church. A battle of "styles" or something.
- The continued misunderstanding of video games by Christians as they ask and answer questions way too narrow in scope about video games in society and what Christians can take away from it.
- and the seemingly related oversight of how video game makers seem to attract more faithful followers in the developed world than Evangelical churches.
- The fact that I'm awake and even thinking about these things at 1:00am when I have to work tomorrow.
So let me try and tie all this in really nicely and then tuck away to bed for a few hours of sleep.
I've been reading over short biographies of composers who pioneered in video game music and I see a common theme:
None of them really aspired to make video game music.
But that's just because none of them really knew what they were getting into, I suppose. Moving on...
You see guys like Nobuo Uematsu (of Final Fantasy music fame) who's ambition as a young composer was to be like Elton John, a rock star. He had no formal training, but looked to guys like Elton John and others who rocked out on the piano for musical influence. Can you believe through working various day jobs he suddenly found himself with classic pieces on his hands such as the Prologue and Matoya's theme from Final Fantasy?
Prologue in Final Fantasy I - Elton John inspired who and what?
Such kind of works took video game composers into a notoriety they did not realize until much later. These pieces are just examples of music becoming ingrained in sub-sects of society that then begin to creep, then grow and flourish into the rest of culture without billboard charts, marketing (of the music itself), label producers, etc. and suddenly it's there. It might not be clear at first, but the music got there by being part of something greater than itself. The music alone, the 8-bit tones, the repetitive nature would have never become anything alone, but pointing to something greater, a conglomerate environment into which a person puts themselves into the middle of takes on a whole new light.
Final Fantasy Prologue now in full Symphonic Suite... Wait, what was that about Elton John?
Keep the Elton John thing in mind... let's switch gears and keep talking video games.
I know some from older generations who don't understand this. Where frequent misunderstanding occurs. Here's my idea: something which does not engage the mind does not tend to last long. We long for what is glorious and awesome and huge. I know a book requires an imagination and some may feel that video games takes away that stretch of the imagination, I believe the contrary, it allows the imagination to engage further. It's dependent on the size of the imagination, not the medium. So non-gamers, think about this momentarily: If video games did not captivate the imagination or the mind, no one would play them. They are totally foreign to someone who isn't accustomed to them. No seriously, you may have even sat down with a controller yourself, and just take what you see on the screen and hear in your ear at face value and you think "what's the point?" You didn't enjoy yourself, because your imagination wasn't engaged. There was nothing for your mind to chew on.
Take that concept and watch someone just sitting there engaged to these terrible graphics that look nothing like a movie to you, and bloops and beeps and buzzes on a screen as they sit there half drooling. They look down right brain dead. Right? I mean what's the point? Ok, maybe the graphics look great theses days, but it seems that something isn't adding up for you.
It doesn't tend to happen this way. Mom and Dad don't get it.
Take that concept and watch someone just sitting there engaged to these terrible graphics that look nothing like a movie to you, and bloops and beeps and buzzes on a screen as they sit there half drooling. They look down right brain dead. Right? I mean what's the point? Ok, maybe the graphics look great theses days, but it seems that something isn't adding up for you.
Ok, look again. They aren't capivated by the screen, but by their own imagination and longing for something greater. Thinking these things on the screen to a completion that recess kickball, board games with a friend, and cleaning a kitchen will not do. Imagining themselves as the hero, the power they would have when they get that next item, the accomplishment of saving a town from a flaming magma spider that no one else had the courage or power to stand up to, what it would be like if the game continued after the credits, the solving of riddles and finding lost societies and what it would be like to engage deeper and if they would ever had the opportunity to go on such an adventure. Don't downplay the human mind. Key point: Just because more information is given to the brain, doesn't mean the mind shuts down. Indeed, the longing you may feel reading a book of a far off land may be felt twice as strongly for a person actively engaged in their mind of saving and getting to know the people in that far off land through willful exploration in an interactive environment. I don't know that for sure, and I'm not saying they are more creative in doing so, but they are certainly thinking and engaged.
So here's another example of a composer. The developed working style of a composer like Koji Kondo (of Super Mario Brothers and Zelda fame), who not only considered the music, but pioneered what great video game music was by seeing the big picture of experience. Not writing a song and slapping it to a level, but playing the level and letting what he saw on the screen not only inspire what the music sounded like, but the sound effects of the game and the relationship of the sound effects to the music. He saw the big picture.
He made a purpose into which the music fit into the greater experience and gave it incredible thought and creativity. He did it like no one else had done it yet. Mission accomplished: you turn the game on, you'd see parents getting sick of hearing the same music over and over again, but anyone playing the game, sitting in front of the screen is drawn in by the music, can hear the songs after hours of gameplay and not only remember what it corresponded to on the screen, but the feeling of imagination and anticipation that welled up inside of them at the thought of what could possibly be in the next dungeon, what could be the next item they find to help them explore in ways they haven't been able to before. Not one bit annoyed, but that feeling of longing renewed. This is the case with many games, especially the more classic ones.
So this is where the misunderstanding comes in. Hear me out. This is where Christians tend to grab their idolatry whistle and blow for days. We just look at the longing produced by the games, the experiences produced in the player and start to call it all debauchery immediately instead of observing what is going on. Take a breath, we're maybe halfway there. It's a bit of a mess, but I don't think it should be written off as child's play. There is really something big going on with video games.
C.S. Lewis, in his essay "The Weight of Glory," said,
Listen to the relationship of the sound effects to the music.
He made a purpose into which the music fit into the greater experience and gave it incredible thought and creativity. He did it like no one else had done it yet. Mission accomplished: you turn the game on, you'd see parents getting sick of hearing the same music over and over again, but anyone playing the game, sitting in front of the screen is drawn in by the music, can hear the songs after hours of gameplay and not only remember what it corresponded to on the screen, but the feeling of imagination and anticipation that welled up inside of them at the thought of what could possibly be in the next dungeon, what could be the next item they find to help them explore in ways they haven't been able to before. Not one bit annoyed, but that feeling of longing renewed. This is the case with many games, especially the more classic ones.
The music from this game [not by Koji Kondo, but worth mentioning for the fun of it] will forever haunt my mom with memories of being pregnant with my little sister in 85 degree weather in August of 1988. For my brothers and I, it will remind us of how cool the thought of blowing up helicopters and spiders with grenades can be.
So this is where the misunderstanding comes in. Hear me out. This is where Christians tend to grab their idolatry whistle and blow for days. We just look at the longing produced by the games, the experiences produced in the player and start to call it all debauchery immediately instead of observing what is going on. Take a breath, we're maybe halfway there. It's a bit of a mess, but I don't think it should be written off as child's play. There is really something big going on with video games.
C.S. Lewis, in his essay "The Weight of Glory," said,
Your books and the music you enjoy is no different than video games in terms of the longing they create. (It is true, however, that video games, unlike other media, can send an individual on a journey to fulfill the longing within gaming itself which is unhealthy.) So how does the music of these games play into that? Composers are writing the songs that reflect the experience, or glory, of the game as a whole. It's their job. In a way, they are the equivalent to the music pastor at a church. They need to write and employ songs that help evoke and lead the right response at the right time. So here's where observation leads us (Ok, grab your whistles if you must, but pay attention please...) the songs in many video games are like hymns and songs of praise in memory of the battles won, the hurt felt when characters die, the striving for victory and the hope for salvation. As C.S. Lewis stated, it's when that which the longing came through is mistaken for the prize that we get problems."The books or the music [or video games] in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing. These things—the beauty, the memory of our own past—are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers."
Problems.
But for today's post, I don't want to get into people deceiving themselves with video games. I play video games, it's not all bad. Another time maybe. I'm want to speak to those in the church who want to worship God through song and show what the video game industry has been doing through the 80s until now that we could maybe reflect on and learn from.
The longing produced by these games in a player can be recalled by the sounding of songs from the games in different arrangements. It's amazing, there are full cover bands that only play music inspired by the music of old games and nothing else. This isn't anything new to anyone who's been to one gaming convention in their life, but Gamers of all backgrounds can hear new arrangements of old favorites and find themselves attached because it pressed closely to the longing they had when they initially played the game. And there are new released titles which harken back to the traditions of the old series with updated features and graphics, with a semi-new adventure. They can also play brand new games which have nothing to do with the traditions or way of the older games. And you want to know something else? Gamers argue about this sort of stuff. Sound familiar? How about those people in the church who argue about musical style? haha, gamers do the same thing about Zelda and Metroid. Talk about boring.
Who's going to play the new Zelda regardless of graphics, gameplay and content? heh, this guy.
Ok, so video games have got a grip on people. I don't think the answer is blow a trumpet and sound to all the people a warning that they are being deceived, freaking out and asking our country's legislation to do away with video games and their captivating power. It's captivating because it's better than anything else put out there. It's fun, it's engaging, yeah it's deceiving and not actually life giving to anyone when they devote their lives to it, but why doesn't the church focus on doing it better and pointing people to the truth of who God is and the Gospel of Jesus Christ? I think the answer is faithfully doing music and creating an atmosphere for memorable experiences and times for genuine praise to be built and doing it better than the game industry.
So... They have modern hymns, and are even today creating new songs that capture hearts of the listeners and building memories and longings that they fulfill by releasing a new game in the series... hmm..
Dear Worship leader of every local church ever, I think we can learn something from the video game industry pioneers. Not sure entirely what yet, but the temples of technology and software interaction have incredible priests with insane creativity beyond the shape of a melody, thinking over all facets on what will point to the glory of their game, the glory of their designs. The term "Triple A Title" in the video game industry is a game that all parts of the game speak the resounding glory to all parts of the game, the visual, musical and interactive experience. It kind of forms a trinity of glory, praise, and purpose that seems to totally wins people's hearts.
I'm not saying the church is doing a bad job, but couldn't we do better? To be certain, Jesus is head of his church. He's not swayed by what's going on in culture, but I see an opportunity to do great things and labor greatly for his church. They may have some huge resources to pull from, but we have an infinite God who is with us until the end of the age.
What I'm not saying: make christian video games. Dumb idea.
I'm still speaking to the creativity, labor, design and execution of worship to God particularly in song composition and corporate worship as a congregation. Take a look at the book of Acts... the city of Ephesus, which housed the temple of Artemis, went into a riot because of the Gospel of Paul's and the Christian believers there. They didn't need bells and whistles and the best precious metal crafters to build a bigger idol than Artemis, they just spread the Gospel of Jesus faithfully. In the same way, I think it's a work of the Holy Spirit to make great worship happen. What I'm getting at is we don't have a big enough vision of what God can do and it doesn't start with getting all neurotic.
Let's go back to how I started this post... 3 things. False dichotomy in worship music, ridicule of video games and the fact that I'm awake still...
This next part is for those who are familiar with the debate of the last couple decades happening in protestant churches about "styles" of worship. I don't like this subject, but I have some thoughts on it:
Remember how I talked about Elton John? How he was an influence to Nobuo Uematsu before Nobuo went on to write some of the most memorable pieces of music in video game history? Let me spell this out for you: Elton John was a *Gasp* rock star. Nobuo, with all his influence and untrained practice in rock music wrote some of the most well known "classical" style pieces of our day. More people listen to classical music through video games than you'd think. So this whole argument about rock music and classical/traditional music in the church? And the influences of the authors and what music they listened to? It doesn't correspond to reality. It's all based on false precepts and flawed arguments.
The discussion of how to make worship music to God needs a bigger arena than style.
Meanwhile, innovation around the world happens while the church in America totters between clinging to songs they didn't write in styles they didn't innovate and imitating what they've seen done secularly as a "bar" for success as if this is what worship to God relied on.
I'll try and flesh this idea out more later. If you have anything thoughts or questions let me know.
Editing Note: I probably just did 40 edits to this thing, typos and other late night errors in lexicon and vocabulary. I'll try to not be so scattered brained next time.
Dear Worship leader of every local church ever, I think we can learn something from the video game industry pioneers. Not sure entirely what yet, but the temples of technology and software interaction have incredible priests with insane creativity beyond the shape of a melody, thinking over all facets on what will point to the glory of their game, the glory of their designs. The term "Triple A Title" in the video game industry is a game that all parts of the game speak the resounding glory to all parts of the game, the visual, musical and interactive experience. It kind of forms a trinity of glory, praise, and purpose that seems to totally wins people's hearts.
I'm not saying the church is doing a bad job, but couldn't we do better? To be certain, Jesus is head of his church. He's not swayed by what's going on in culture, but I see an opportunity to do great things and labor greatly for his church. They may have some huge resources to pull from, but we have an infinite God who is with us until the end of the age.
What I'm not saying: make christian video games. Dumb idea.
oh wait...
Now you can take down the wall of Jericho with silly puzzles?
I'm still speaking to the creativity, labor, design and execution of worship to God particularly in song composition and corporate worship as a congregation. Take a look at the book of Acts... the city of Ephesus, which housed the temple of Artemis, went into a riot because of the Gospel of Paul's and the Christian believers there. They didn't need bells and whistles and the best precious metal crafters to build a bigger idol than Artemis, they just spread the Gospel of Jesus faithfully. In the same way, I think it's a work of the Holy Spirit to make great worship happen. What I'm getting at is we don't have a big enough vision of what God can do and it doesn't start with getting all neurotic.
Let's go back to how I started this post... 3 things. False dichotomy in worship music, ridicule of video games and the fact that I'm awake still...
This next part is for those who are familiar with the debate of the last couple decades happening in protestant churches about "styles" of worship. I don't like this subject, but I have some thoughts on it:
Remember how I talked about Elton John? How he was an influence to Nobuo Uematsu before Nobuo went on to write some of the most memorable pieces of music in video game history? Let me spell this out for you: Elton John was a *Gasp* rock star. Nobuo, with all his influence and untrained practice in rock music wrote some of the most well known "classical" style pieces of our day. More people listen to classical music through video games than you'd think. So this whole argument about rock music and classical/traditional music in the church? And the influences of the authors and what music they listened to? It doesn't correspond to reality. It's all based on false precepts and flawed arguments.
The discussion of how to make worship music to God needs a bigger arena than style.
Meanwhile, innovation around the world happens while the church in America totters between clinging to songs they didn't write in styles they didn't innovate and imitating what they've seen done secularly as a "bar" for success as if this is what worship to God relied on.
I'll try and flesh this idea out more later. If you have anything thoughts or questions let me know.
Editing Note: I probably just did 40 edits to this thing, typos and other late night errors in lexicon and vocabulary. I'll try to not be so scattered brained next time.
