Searching for RPG Music Resources

I’m in the process of putting together a new music-themed feature article for Nuketown. My intention is to do something similar to the Mac RPG feature, with links to Web sites focusing on music in role-playing games, links to RPG musicians, commentary from gamers. I also plan on writing some original articles about using music in your game. The challenge now, of course, is finding everything I need.

I’m of to a decent start, but I’m surprised at just how little information I’m turning up regarding music and role-playing games, especially given its periodic coverage in the various gaming magazines. It’s a subject that the blogs and webzines just don’t seem to cover very much, if at all.

Another reason why finding such resources — if they even exist — is so difficult, is that people playing computer role-playing games completely overwhelm pen-and-paper gamers with their conversations about RPG music. Want sheet music for Final Fantasy? You can find that in a heart beat. Want suggestions for what music will complement your Alternity Star*Drive campaign? Well, that’s a lot harder.

And, dear readers, is where you come in. If you know of a good music RPG resource — a review, a band web site, a database of useful songs — please let me know about it by emailing nuketown@gmail.com (be sure to include the site’s URL!). You can also use that form to send me your own thoughts and comments about how you use music during your game (soundtracks, software, hardware, programs, whatever).

I’ll start things things off by noting a few of the resources I’ve already found.

RPG MP3 doesn’t have a lot in the way of music right now, but it does have a few fan songs and audio recordings of game sessions.

GameWyrd’s Music For Role-Playing has a bunch of music recommendations based on specific games. There’s very little in the way of commentary though; it’s mostly just links to Amazon.com.

The RPG Music Project at DnDResources.com has lists of real-world music and movie soundtracks that work well with role-playing games. The formatting is a little wonky, but it’s readable.

Midnight Snydicate created the excellent Dungeons & Dragons soundtrack, and have quite a few horror/gothic gaming tracks under their belt.

Toxic Bag Productions is known for their gaming sound effects CDs.

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