The Music of Dead State
Today, I wanted to step back and let our composer Leif talk a bit about the music of Dead State.
Hello present/future kickstarters! My name’s Leif Chappelle, and I have the pleasure of working with Brian and his talented team on Dead State. Specifically, on its music. I run a small (extremely small) studio (apartment) here in Seattle called Woodland Alien Music.
I’ve decided to take some time and answer a few questions about the music of Dead State, some of the initial thought processes that have gone into it so far, and where we’re planning on taking it in the future.
-Inspirations?
It’s, honestly, pretty impossible right now to not have something in mind when you think of zombie fiction. Whether it’s Bear McCreary’s excellent Walking Dead TV score, the classic “of the” film scores, Resident Evil’s shambling transformation into action movie score (but mainly the original few games’ fantastic ambiance), or my personal favorite 28 Days Later, everyone has some preconceptions of what to expect. Yet there's no one unifying thing between them. They’re all inspirations, to be sure, but as Brian is adamant to point out, Dead State isn’t all about the zombies. With that in mind, I wanted to approach the score by laying down a few ground rules of my own.
When Brian first sent me some information about Dead State, its core concepts, and some initial musical inspirations to consider, one thing struck me about the design: the concept of “noise”. The concept that, as you explore the world, the actions you take generate noise, and that’s what attracts the shambling masses. Because of this design, I knew that the score had to reflect this.
I would, ultimately, categorize the sounds I use as falling into one of two camps: humanity, and the other. In defense of humanity are the real, tangible, playable instruments. Guitars, pianos, wind chimes, potentially a rare bass or cello. When you hear music that reflects humanity, it should sound like someone could be right there in the corner, strumming. To that end, most of the melodic side of the score happens inside the Shelter.
As soon as you step outside the Shelter, that’s when you start hearing the other, and traditional melodic structure goes away. The original inspiration for this style came from Brian, who linked me a YouTube clip of what's known as the “bloop” noise. It’s this super lo-fi indescribable sound that exists at the very bottom of the ocean. Unsolved mysteries aside, the sound is just creepy. So I used this as a model for how the presence of threats in the environment should sound. As it turns out, lowering the fidelity of a lot of sounds can transform them into a pseudo-bloop, allowing me some flexibility in how those sounds are created, modified, and evolve.
-Samples?
The sample tracks here include two of the more low-key humanity-oriented themes (talking to an ally, and the general Shelter BGM) as well as the full combat track included in the trailer, for when you make just a bit more noise than one would generally want. Keep in mind that these are early work-in-progress mixes. Imagine the most amazing version of what you're hearing, and that's what will be included in the Dead State soundtrack!
-Shape of things to come?
I think we've only just begun to scratch the surface of what kinds of neat experiences both the game and its music are going to be creating for those that back this project. The more that gets contributed, the better we're able to make every aspect of the game. Thank you so much for your support, and I can't wait to share more!
We have the full interview here:
http://www.irontowerstudio.com/forum/index.php/topic,2773.0.html
As of this post going up, we have less than $5,000 left to meet our reserve! We’re so close! Keep spreading the word and letting press know you want Dead State covered. We’ll have stretch goals up shortly. Thank you for funding Dead State!
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Jul 5, 2012
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A DRM-free digital download of the game for PC at nearly half the launch price.
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The Radio Tier: This tier includes the DRM-Free digital download of Dead State plus access to exclusive developer updates featuring developer videos, first looks at in-game shots, writing from the game, game art, and much more. We will be regularly updating “The Radio” with new info throughout development. Everyone at the $21 tier or higher will get access to this content.
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A digital copy, the game soundtrack (MP3s), and a bronze-level patron badge. Patron badges will be activated on our forums after the project is funded. (You will need a forum account to show off your badge.)
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A digital copy of the game, the soundtrack, and a digital version of the “Making of Dead State” book. This book traces the origin of DoubleBear and Dead State and contains original fiction, concept art, and design documentation, plus interviews with the team. The book will sent as a .PDF download to contributors at this tier after the game ships.
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A digital copy of the game, the soundtrack, the digital version of the book, special thanks in the credits, and a silver-level patron badge.
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The Save One for Yourself Pack (This Pack is not included in any other tier) -A metal magnum bullet-shaped USB pre-loaded with the game, etched with the Dead State logo, and on a keychain for easy transport and bragging rights. -A digital copy of the game so you don’t have to wait for delivery. -The digital soundtrack, the digital book, special thanks in the credits, and a silver forum badge (Add $10 for shipping outside of the US and Canada)
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All of the above, the silver-level patron badge, plus a limited edition Dead State T-shirt that is only available to Kickstarter patrons. The shirt will ship shortly after the funding goals are met. (Please add $10 for shipping to territories outside the US and Canada).
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The Gold Edition. All of the above, a second digital copy of the game, a trade paperback version of the “Making of Dead State” book signed by Brian and Annie, and a gold level forum tag. (Please add $10 for shipping to territories outside the US and Canada).
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The Splendid Box: Deluxe Edition It includes: -A Large Collector’s Box for all the stuff. -A DVD copy of the Game and a CD of the Soundtrack -The Special Edition Shirt, the USB Bullet pre-loaded with the game, the Signed Paperback of the Making of Dead State, and a real paper Manual -Collectible Game Merch, including an MMM,Bison! Kid’s Placemat, a Splendid Evacuation Notice, Friggin’ Chikin Frequent Gorger’s Card, and much more. (All sheets printed on high quality paper) -A Signed Letter from the Devs. But wait, there’s more! We’ll also give you two digital copies, a gold forum tag, and special thanks in the credits. (Add $15 for shipping outside of the US and Canada)
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Be memorialized somewhere in the game - your name and some key personal information will be incorporated into the world of Dead State. Also includes all of the Gold Edition items.
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We will include your zombie apocalypse text message (up to 250 characters) written by you in the game as part of our collectible in-game data. Some editorial standards apply. Includes all Gold Edition items.
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Our portrait artist will draw a portrait of you (you must supply a photo of yourself) to be used as a non-ally NPC in the game. A copy of the complete portrait will be sent to you before the game ships. Includes all Gold Edition items.
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Our portrait artist will draw a portrait of you as a zombie, which will be used for a zombie in the game. A copy of the complete portrait will be sent to you before the game ships. Includes all Gold Edition items.
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A personalized item in the game. This is a non-equipped item that would be found by players – you provide the description, we make the art. Some standards and editorial restrictions apply. Includes all Gold Edition items.
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Work with Brian Mitsoda to tell your “zombie apocalypse story” which will show up as a collectible piece of story data for every player to see. Could be an email or diary entry or note about your fate in the zombie apocalypse – we’ll work with you to make sure it fits into our world. Word count will be limited to format. Includes all Gold Edition items.
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Everything we have to offer (must choose either zombie or NPC portrait), ten extra digital copies of the game, an invite to our team launch party (you’re responsible for making it to Seattle), and a special Dead State Platinum Level forum tag for bragging rights.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2013
Comments
Creator Alan Plum on June 25, 2012
For another more dated source of inspiration I would recommend Crusader: No Remorse. It had a "home base" area as well and I think it hit the right amount of ambience and melancholy. It's blatantly Robocop-style sci-fi, though, so take that with a grain of salt.
Creator Nate0124 on June 25, 2012
Fantastic tracks Leif
Creator dukeearl on June 25, 2012
Zombies singing capella style would be nice ;)
Creator Adam David Herring on June 23, 2012
Lol, I forgot the Lone Survivor Trailer uses upbeat music, contrast to the dark images in screen /* smacks hand on forehead. At any rate the game is truly horrifying and the music really helps to set that tone.
Creator Adam David Herring on June 23, 2012
Good stuff! Keep up the great work! You are right, the idea to use lo-fi gritty, "decomposed" sound effects for zombie scenes is spot on.
Might I recommend a source of influence? Check out the indie zombie game "lone survivor." It is a game with 8 bit graphics and is simultaneously scarier than silent hill! You know why? THE MUSIC! (and sound effects). They set a truly horrifying ambience.
Watch the trailer on the site to get the feel for the music http://www.lonesurvivor.co.uk/
I know that Dead State will have non-horrifying portions (unlike Lone Survivor; which is never not unsettling) but I just thought it would be good idea food ;)
Creator Laurent Maire on June 22, 2012
Well anyone who mentions 28 Days Later's soundtrack as a favorite has my vote. The 'Godspeed You Black Emperor!' track at the beginning of the film kills me every time. Wonderfully evocative so far Leif. Sounds like the game will have a soundtrack as unique as its premise.
Creator Stavros Tsiakalos on June 22, 2012
I like the concept of "Let's Talk" and the more I hear it the more I like it ... though I am not much of a piano fan to be honest. I think, after having given it a lot of thought now, what really gives a slight feeling of "offness" to me is that the use of the recurring piano thingie (no good with music terminology) makes me imagine a movie scene where the camera shows *piano jingle* one abandoned location, then moves to *piano jingle* next location, the doors open *piano jingle* empty hallway... etc Or you see a person going through daily routines in solitude while obviously longing for something - kinda when you are let to believe that all hope is gone, everyone's dead
Creator DoubleBear Productions on June 22, 2012
From Leif:
"Thanks, everyone, for your fantastic feedback so far. The comments on Let's Talk have been very helpful, and I appreciate how constructive you've been. I definitely plan on keeping them in mind for future revisions."
Creator Stavros Tsiakalos on June 22, 2012
I too love "The Shelter" to bits. I like "I was trying to sleep" and think it is very atmospheric. Like others before me I found "Let's Talk" distracting with the piano repetition that seems too loud, too dominant while the rest of the organs are only slowly, quietly being added in. On my second listen, having turned down the volume a fair bit, I found it a lot more pleasing as the piano was less intrusive.
Creator Yemeth on June 22, 2012
Thank you for the very interesting interview! Like "The Shelter"! Now my "let's up at least one tier" fingers are itching, brrrr...
Creator Victor Au on June 22, 2012
The Shelter's very well written and arranged and seems to capture the mood of that place - just imagine the survivors sitting around in the Shelter, temporarily safe but in despair, hungry while longing for that one day when it all comes to an end, not knowing if they could survive the upcoming zombie onslaught or just live to see another day ... I'm sure it'll sound even better in later mixes, especially if they use a real guitar in place of MIDI / synthesizer...
While I also agree with the others' comments about the 1st song - perhaps it's that "ding-dong-ding-dong..." repetition on the piano that makes it distracting - overall the piece is actually not too bad and can certainly be improved if a different but equally pondering arrangement is used - after all, it's that time of the game where the player's supposed to think through the options and make decisions that might impact the game there and then, or much later...
The third one - just don't let me go to sleep after listening to it - I just can't! =)
Anyways, well done Leif and keep up with your good work! Can't wait to hear more tracks from the game (and of course can't wait to play the final game)!
Creator Mats Tönnehag on June 22, 2012
wow a usb drive and great music, now i just have to pledge 95, is it just me or do the tracks give a slight feeling of final fantasy :)
Creator Jackson Simpson on June 22, 2012
I upped my pledge the moment I read that Brian knew the "Bloop" sound and considered noise an important part of the sound themes, as a massive fan of Drone and Field Recording it just filled me with complete confidence in the game and its direction.
If you're interested at all, there are some artists you could/really should(!) check out.
Alan Lamb (http://www.youtube.com/watch…) makes field recordings using touch mics and telephone poles that come out very droney and apocalypticy.
Loren Chasse builds soundscapes using field recording and underlays it with some drone sounds to bring attention to parts of the recordings you wouldn't otherwise notice (http://www.youtube.com/watch… this is a bad example more drone than field recording, but youtube doesn't have much)
Other good artists include Aidan Baker, Damian Valles, id Battery, Joel Stern, Mathieu Ruhlmann, Richard Harrison, Toshiya Tsunoda!
Creator Conor White on June 22, 2012
LIstening to third track and closed my eyes. I'm now think why did I do that when I'm going to actually try to sleep soon I can't get the feeling out of my head
Creator Some guy on June 22, 2012
"Lets talk" reminds me of "Terminator", maybe add some big synths to that one :)
Creator joedpa82 on June 21, 2012
LEIF CHAPPELLE?. For a minute there i thought Dave Chappelle.
Creator Nimravid on June 21, 2012
Really nice switch in mood between "The Shelter" and "I Was Trying to Sleep." The first one is peaceful but a little bit sad, and the second one makes me really want that weapons pack.
Creator Chema Casanova on June 21, 2012
I'm no one to make an opinion.....but in the first theme (i'm a pianist/composer) i suggest not only to maintain the D G all the time.....if you make little variations like.....D Eb D G it will sound more.....i don't know....really good work, anyway!
Creator Rand Chua TL on June 21, 2012
Great updated for us fans and backers!
Creator Christopher "DarkWolfNine" Muzatko on June 21, 2012
I agree with Robert. My first impressions were almost identical to his. When the dips change on the first one where he mentioned, it sounds more connected as one piece. The first half just seems disconnected in the dip segments. My constrictive critiquing anyway. Love the shelter and I'm liking the last one. Thanks for sharing these! Great update.
Creator Robert Miller on June 21, 2012
Have to say I'm not a fan of the first one...It's so choppy that it's distracting to me. I find it annoying. Everything after 1:40 is great, and I feel like the dip at 1:50 is supposed to be what the earlier dips are, but the earlier ones are just annoying to me. The other two songs are great though.
Creator Flobulon on June 21, 2012
Absolutely love The Shelter!
Creator Jonathan Kelley on June 21, 2012
Have to say the audio samples sound amazing and just makes me want to explore the game more.
Creator Merc with a Mouth on June 21, 2012
Oh god, I /was/ trying to sleep, thanks for screwing that up. :P
Seriously though, I love the vibe I get from each of those clips, especially the last one. Definitely do not feel safe listening to this and I can't wait to hear it in-game.