Manchester’s gaming geeks rejoice! Video Games Live – a performance of some of the most well-known video games music of all time – is heading to the city later this year.
The celebration of all things video games will see orchestras, choirs and musicians from across the globe perform at Manchester Apollo in November alongside corresponding screen visuals, lighting and special effects.
The event, which was launched in 2002, comes to the country for only the second time, having previously made a stop in London in six years ago.
Mike Coop, a 23-year old gaming shop assistant, from Ardwick, outlined the importance of a video game’s soundtrack.
He said: “The music in a game makes an amazing difference.
“Bad games have been made good by good soundtracks. Yet some good games have been dragged down by bad music.
“This music itself sets the scene.
An orchestra will perform scores from fan-favourites, with blockbuster games such as Mario, Zelda, Halo, Final Fantasy and Assassin’s Creed all involved.
“It allows you to engage the tempo or mood. You can also assign a particular mood to a specific character. The game gives you hints from the sound,” Mr Coop continued.
“I think that you need to adopt the same level of commitment to the game’s music as you do to gameplay.
“Modern game soundtracks take it in different directions. They really stick with you.
“I am currently addicted to Bravely Default. I have bought the album because it’s just that good.
“I really like Skyrim, as the Nordic theme creates a real atmosphere. It has one of the best sound qualities.
Since the show’s initial performance at the Hollywood Bowl in 2005, more than one million people have experienced it in 25 countries.
In the build-up to the event there will be a costume contest, as well as a Guitar Hero competition and a festival to celebrate the history and people involved in the production of the gaming world.
The event is organised by the video game industry, with particular aims to support and encourage the thriving culture and growing art that video games have gradually become.
Nick Hancox, a 29-year old from Fallowfield, said: “I think that music has quite a big role. It sets where you are.
“It’s like a movie. If you get the wrong sort of ambiance, you can wreck the game.
“It’s becoming a new sort of culture. Before, you had opera where people would sing with classical music. Now, people comment on games and their soundtracks about what they like and dislike, or what they agree on.”
“I actually really like classical game music, like Super Mario Bros 3.”
Video Games Live bridges the gap of entertainment by exposing new generations of music lovers to the symphonic orchestral experience.
Tickets for the event are available from £25. For further information, or to book your tickets, visit gigsandtours.com or call 0844 811 0051.
