Music in Video games 

Robbie Howard 

Music Director 

Growing up playing video games, one of my most vivid gaming moments wasn’t any specific mission, or anytime I beat a game, but instead it was loading up Skate 3 for the first time and hearing the song “Put on” by Jeezy & Kanye West.  That song instantly hooked me to the game, and that was the moment I realized that video game music was more than just background noise. It’s an element that shapes the games’ atmosphere, and it’s also a great way to find new music. 

Let’s start with Skate 3, released in 2010, in the days of the early internet. Where we saw the early emergence of some of the most popular social media platforms to this day, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook were just beginning to shape digital culture.

Skate 3 channels the authentic vibe of the skateboarding community. It’s a culture known for being welcoming because it’s built on individual expression and a shared passion, not your background. 

And I feel like it perfectly captures that vibe. When you are playing the game, it makes the game feel like you are starring in your own skateboarding video. Songs from Joy Division bring a moody undercurrent, The Misfits inject raw punk energy, Q Lazzarus adds atmospheric flair, and bands like Kinski round it out with rock. The mix ensures the soundtrack resonates with every kind of player, mirroring the diversity and unpredictability of skate culture itself. 

Top 5 songs from the Skate 3 soundtrack 

• “Put on” by Jezzy and Kanye West 

• “Disorder” by Joy Division 

• “Punching Goodbye Out Front” by Kinski 

• “Goodbye Horses” by Q Lazzarus 

• “Going Up The Country” by Canned Heat 

Another great example is Grand Theft Auto V. While Skate 3 was focused on capturing that subculture, GTA V is all about the world around you.  And to me, the music is what makes that world feel real. 

The game gives you access to 26 in-game radio stations, but they’re more than just playlists. They feature DJs, commercials, and talk shows that satirize the world, which makes listening feel like a real broadcast and brings the city of Los Santos to life. 

The variety is huge, jumping from West Coast hip-hop to classic rock, electronic, country, or Latin pop, ensuring there’s a station for every mood. My personal favorites are Non-Stop-Pop FM, with its pop hits that make cruising through Los Santos feel like a montage. DJ Cara’s personality gives the station a real spark, making it feel alive.  

Radio Los Santos which is packed with some of the best hip-hop tracks. Perfectly capturing the energy of 2013, a year that was huge for rap. Honestly, this is where I found some really good music that I still listen to today.  

Other players might swear by East Los FM for its Latin music or Vinewood Boulevard Radio for its indie rock, but that’s the beauty of GTA V’s soundtrack: there’s something that clicks differently for everyone. 

Top 5 songs from the GTA V soundtrack 

• “Nowhere To Go” by Nite Jewel 

• “Meet Me Halfway” by Black Eyed Peas 

• “Hood Gone Love It” by Jay Rock & Kendrick Lamar 

• “Tennis Court” by Lorde 

• “1 Thing” by Amerie 

In contrast to the other games, I’ve mentioned Minecraft, which takes a much more minimal approach to music. The Minimalistic approach is vital to the game’s appeal. The ambient soundtrack composed by C418 gives you a sense of your surroundings by blending into the world itself. But the music isn’t always playing, and that silence is intentional. 

Based on what you are doing in the game, you will activate many different songs. For example, when you enter the end and are fighting the Ender dragon, you will hear the song “Boss”. Also, when you travel through the many biomes Minecraft has, the music subtly changes to match the mood of the environment, enhancing the sense of discovery. 

Top 5 songs from the Minecraft soundtrack 

• “Moog City 2” by C418 

• “Living Mice” by C418 

• “Haggstrom” by C418 

• “Droopy Likes Your Face” by C418 

• “Stal” by C418 

Finally, I hope I was able to share why these gaming soundtracks stand out to me and how they make the games a whole lot more enjoyable. They don’t just fill in the silence; they build the world around you, transforming gameplay into an experience that feels cinematic. It is also a great place to find songs for your playlist.