composer Archives

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

In 2007, two game music GOATs collaborated on the criminally underrated soundtrack to a similarly underrated D&D RPG

Critical Hit, formerly Soundtrack Sunday, explores video game music and audio design, highlighting titles like Neverwinter Nights, which has a dedicated fanbase. The first expansion of Neverwinter Nights 2, Mask of the Betrayer, is noted for its mature narrative and impactful music, which plays a significant role in the game's atmosphere. Brandon, the audio director at Obsidian during the late 2000s, discussed the development of Mask of the Betrayer and its soundtrack, which he collaborated on with Womb Music's Rik Schaffer and Margaret Tang. The main theme of Mask of the Betrayer is described as mysterious and epic, with a darker reinterpretation for the DLC. The theme for Mulsantir captures the city's duality, blending inviting and sinister elements. Brandon aimed to encapsulate the medieval sound of Dungeons & Dragons, resulting in a soundtrack that enhances gameplay and leaves a lasting impression on players.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

The Stanley Parable creator and Minecraft composer’s indie studio is shutting down after one cozy sim because “it’s a particularly tough time for raising game funds”

Ivy Road, an independent game studio, announced its closure effective March 31, 2026. The studio was developing a new title called Engine Angel but faced funding challenges. They are finalizing a tea-brewing simulation game called Wanderstop, which explores themes of burnout and trauma. Wanderstop is currently playable and available for purchase on all platforms, and a special code for a chapter select feature has been shared. Analysts predict that the upcoming PS6 and Xbox Project Helix will launch at a price point 50% higher than their predecessors.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Deus Ex: Human Revolution could’ve had a track from the original game’s composer but it was rejected for not being the ‘right fit,’ and in hindsight he says they were right

Deus Ex is celebrated for its impactful soundtrack, which contributes significantly to the game's emotional resonance. Eidos Montreal featured the theme song in their 2010 announcement of the franchise's return, evoking nostalgia among fans. Initially, creative director Jeffrey Birns envisioned composer Brandon for the score of Deus Ex: The Fall, but the task was ultimately assigned to Mike McCann. Brandon expressed disappointment but acknowledged the unpredictability of the industry. McCann's contributions to Human Revolution have been well-received, maintaining the essence of the Deus Ex universe. Brandon respects Szczepkowski, who offered him a role on Human Revolution, and humorously noted their differing career paths. Since his layoff from Frost Giant in 2025, Brandon has submitted around 50 resumes but has only secured one interview, highlighting the challenges faced by creatives in the current job market.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

Starfield’s composer says the game will become ‘legendary’, Todd Howard’s a ‘visionary’, and maybe you ‘were just not ready for it’

Composer Inon Zur has worked in the gaming industry for nearly three decades, contributing to numerous titles, including Bethesda's Fallout series and Starfield. In an interview, he praised Todd Howard for his creativity and vision, despite mixed reviews for Starfield, which received a 75% score from PC Gamer. Zur described the score for Starfield as a standout feature, emphasizing the duality of vastness and motion in space. He used unconventional orchestration techniques, with woodwinds creating rapid patterns and brass and strings providing a stable backdrop. Zur aimed to capture the relationship between individuals and the enormity of space, which influenced his compositional process.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

I only needed 5 songs to know that In Falsus is going to be my go-to rhythm game when I can’t get to the arcade

Soundtrack Sunday focuses on the video game music of In Falsus, an upcoming title from British developer Lowiro, known for its immersive arcade rhythm experiences since 2017. Lowiro has drawn inspiration from Japanese rhythm games, particularly Sound Voltex, and has created a demo for In Falsus that features five tracks. Notable contributions include "Cryogenic" by Camellia, "Chobit Flavour" by Aran, "à la mode" by ak+q, "Ordirehv" by Feryquitous, and "Ghost Ray" by Qlarabelle and crayvxn. The demo showcases a high-quality soundtrack with contributions from esteemed composers, positioning In Falsus as a strong contender in the rhythm game genre. Additional composers such as BlackY, Blacklolita, and kanone are hinted at in the gameplay trailer, generating excitement for the game's full release.

Winsage

January 11, 2026

Windows Media Player’s ‘find album information’ functionality has been removed — you’ll have to find other software for playing and ripping CDs with relevant track information

Microsoft has removed the 'find album information' and 'update album info online' functionalities from the Media Player applications in Windows 11. Neither the Windows Media Player Legacy nor the latest Media Player app can connect to retrieve data such as album artwork, track names, and details when an audio CD is inserted. The built-in 'Find Album Information' service, which relies on musicmatch-ssl.xboxlive.com, is unreachable. Users attempting to update album information in the latest Media Player app receive an error message indicating a connection issue, despite having a stable internet connection. The removal of these features is disappointing for users who still appreciate physical media, especially as optical drives are becoming rare in new computers.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

Ex-CDPR devs’ blood-soaked new RPG teases two possible companions and a stunning theme playing on its Witcher 3 heritage

The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to launch in 2026, developed by Rebel Wolves, which includes former CD Projekt Red veterans. The development team, led by game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz and community lead Dominika Burza, is committed to transparency and community engagement, sharing insights and progress on the game. An orchestral performance of the game’s main theme was presented, composed by Nikola Kołodziejczyk. A cinematic trailer introduced two characters: a human with magical abilities and a vampire, who will accompany the protagonist, Coen. Fans can wishlist the game on Steam for updates.

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

Story-driven adventure game All Adrift announced for PC

All Adrift is a narrative-driven simulation adventure where players assume the role of Sian Lightchaser, an immortal member of the Arwin Empire. Sian is tasked with creating a religion called "Arwinism" that glorifies the empire, despite its role in the destruction of her own people. The game features a visually rich aesthetic, combining literary text, painterly visuals, and a diverse musical score. Sian witnesses the stark contrast between beauty and the grim realities of her world, including a billboard announcing 91,060,000,080 casualties, highlighting the ongoing tragedy of a failed ceasefire. The narrative explores themes of morality, survival, and the impact of history. The game's creative team includes Bae Sang Hyun as Producer, Director, Writer, Game Design Director, Art Director, and Music Producer; Woo Gi Hun as Game Designer and Programmer; Park Na Hyun as Composer; and voice actors Mare Flos, Bae Sang Hyun, and Kim Han Baek.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Psychological Horror Game ‘Total Chaos’ out Now on Xbox Game Pass, PC and consoles

Apogee Entertainment, in collaboration with Infogrames, has released Total Chaos, a psychological horror game developed by Sam Prebble. The game features a blend of survival horror elements, including resource management, melee combat, and gunplay, set in the desolate Fort Oasis. Players will explore nine chapters filled with haunting visuals and grotesque environments, uncovering the island's dark secrets while managing resources and crafting weapons. The game includes a soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka, known for his work on Silent Hill. Total Chaos is available for .99 on Steam, Xbox Series X|S with Game Pass support, and will soon be released on GOG and the Epic Games Store, with SteamVR support expected in Q2 2026.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

My favorite horror game of 2025 sounds like a literal nightmare because its composer sampled the creaking of an old house and a metal saw scraping ‘an instrument that sounded horrifying yet could have been made in feudal Japan’

Labyrinth of the Demon King is a first-person survival horror game set in Feudal Japan, featuring a soundscape composed by Remu Daifuku. Daifuku's sound design includes unsettling noises such as gurgles and eerie biwa string solos. He recorded sounds from his old house and the town's bonshō bell to enhance authenticity. A custom daxophone was created using old nokogiri blades to align with the game's historical context. The final sound design was processed through an old tape machine for a gritty texture that complements the game's visuals. The soundtrack is available on YouTube and itch.io, and the game can be found on Steam.