Video Game Remixes

I figured that since so many people seemed interested in video game music and it was such a large topic in class today, that this might be a subject of interest.

Sure, some people listen to video game OSTs. But that's just the beginning of the influence of video game music. Some musicians have been inspired to write their own versions of their favorite video game songs. There is an entire community within the game fandom dedicated to the remixing of video game music, which is similar to machinima in that it involves using an already-created aspect of a video game as a platform from which to create original fan works. Websites such as Overclocked Remix (www.ocremix.org) host a large number of remixes from a variety of composers. One of the more well known remixers is Stemage, the mastermind behind the Metroid Metal project. He arranges and plays heavy metal versions of songs from the OSTs of Nintendo's Metroid games. Stemage has now gained so much attention that Nintendo of America has applauded his work, and he now tours with some fellow musicians playing live Metroid Metal shows at video game conventions.
Compare the original Lower Norfair music from Super Metroid...

To Stemage's metal remix:


Quite impressive, isn't it? He's got a lot more, all available for free on his website: www.metroidmetal.com.

Remixing has become so popular that there is a long-running monthly contest to see who can produce the best remixes. Dwelling of Duels (www.dwellingofduels.net) has a themed competition every month - players spend the month composing a remix according to the theme (Konami games, Role-Playing games, etc.), and then anonymously vote on their favorites at the end of the month. Just as machinima has resulted in some excellent game-based film, there are some truly amazing video game remixes out there.