Game Development

Custom Composed Music vs. Royalty-Free Game Music: Which is Right for Your Game?

When it comes to selecting music for your game, the decision between custom composed music and royalty-free game music can have a significant impact on the final product. Music plays an essential role in shaping the mood, atmosphere, and overall experience of the game. Both options come with their own set of pros and cons, and it’s important to weigh them carefully when deciding which route to take for your game.

In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of both custom composed music and royalty-free music, as well as how Ninichi, a talented custom game music composer, offers both tailored compositions and affordable royalty-free music packs for developers on a budget.

Custom Composed Music: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  1. Unique and Tailored to Your Game One of the biggest advantages of custom composed music is that it’s designed specifically for your game. Every track is made to match the tone, mood, and atmosphere you envision. Whether you’re creating an epic fantasy RPG or an action-packed platformer, a composer can craft the perfect soundtrack that enhances every moment of your game.

  2. Creative Collaboration Working with a composer gives you the opportunity to collaborate and shape the music to your exact needs. If you have specific ideas for themes, melodies, or instrumentation, a custom composer can bring those ideas to life and make adjustments as needed. This level of creative input can help elevate your game to the next level.

  3. Consistency and Branding Custom music can help you create a consistent musical identity for your game. Whether it’s a recurring melody or specific instruments that represent certain characters or settings, a custom soundtrack can reinforce the themes and story of your game and make it more memorable for players.

Cons:

  1. Higher Cost Custom composed music typically comes with a higher price tag. Hiring a composer to create an original soundtrack for your game can be expensive, especially for indie developers with limited budgets. The cost can vary depending on the scope of your game and the composer’s experience.

  2. Time-Consuming Creating custom music takes time. The process of composing, recording, and fine-tuning the music can take weeks or even months, which might delay the development of your game. For developers on a tight timeline, waiting for a custom score to be completed may not always be practical.

  3. Limited Flexibility Once the music is composed and implemented, it can be challenging to make changes. If you need revisions after the music has already been delivered, it could incur additional costs or delays. If you’re unsure of your exact musical needs early on, this could be a potential risk.

Royalty-Free Game Music: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  1. Affordable and Accessible One of the major benefits of using royalty-free music is its affordability. Many royalty-free music libraries offer high-quality tracks for a fraction of the cost of custom compositions. You can find options for every budget, whether you need a single track or a whole library of music.

  2. Quick and Easy Implementation Royalty-free music packs are ready to use immediately. Once you purchase or license a track, you can implement it into your game without having to wait for a composer to create something from scratch. This makes it a great option for developers on tight schedules who need to get their game ready for release quickly.

  3. Variety of Options Royalty-free music platforms offer a wide range of genres, styles, and moods. Whether you’re looking for orchestral, electronic, ambient, or chiptune music, there’s often a music pack that fits your game’s needs. You can explore different options to find the perfect match without the need to hire a composer.

  4. No Ongoing Royalties Once you purchase or license a royalty-free track, you don’t need to worry about paying ongoing royalties every time your game is sold. This makes it easier to budget for your project and avoid long-term licensing fees.

Cons:

  1. Lack of Uniqueness One of the biggest downsides of royalty-free music is that you may end up using tracks that other developers have already used. This could make your game’s soundtrack feel less unique and diminish its ability to stand out. However, this can be mitigated by choosing lesser-known tracks or unique music packs.

  2. Limited Customization While you can choose from various music packs, you won’t have the same level of creative control as you would with a custom composer. You may not be able to tweak the music to your exact specifications, and the tracks might not align perfectly with every nuance of your game.

  3. Overused Tracks Popular royalty-free tracks might be used in other games or media, making it difficult to avoid the risk of a “generic” soundtrack. It's important to dig deep into the available options to find tracks that feel fresh and distinctive.

Ninichi: Custom Music and Royalty-Free Game Music for Every Budget

For those who want a blend of both options, Ninichi offers a great solution. As a custom game music composer, she creates tailored soundtracks that fit your game’s unique tone and atmosphere. Whether you’re working on an epic adventure, a relaxing puzzle game, or a fast-paced action title, Ninichi can help you develop a distinctive score that elevates your game.

At the same time, Ninichi understands that many indie developers have limited budgets. That’s why she also offers royalty-free game music packs that are ready to use and affordable. These packs provide high-quality, diverse music options, from ambient themes to energetic tracks, without the hefty price tag of custom compositions.

For developers who are on a budget but still want to access high-quality, game-specific music, Ninichi’s royalty-free music packs provide an excellent solution. You get the convenience and affordability of royalty-free music, with the added bonus of knowing that the tracks are crafted by a professional composer who understands the needs of game developers.

Conclusion

The decision between custom composed music and royalty-free game music ultimately depends on your budget, timeline, and the specific needs of your game. Custom music offers a unique and tailored experience, but it comes at a higher cost and longer timeline. On the other hand, royalty-free music is affordable, quick, and easy to implement, but it may lack the distinctiveness and customization that a custom score offers.

For those who want the best of both worlds, Ninichi provides both custom game music compositions and royalty-free music packs that are perfect for a wide range of game genres. No matter what your budget or game requirements are, Ninichi offers flexible and high-quality music options that can help you create an unforgettable gaming experience.

Explore her royalty-free game music packs here and find the perfect soundtrack for your next project!

Where to Find Good Game Music Packs: A Guide for Developers

By Ninichi | Contact | Follow

Are you a game developer needing some music for your game? You’ve come to the right place! I’m Ninichi - a game music composer. I specialise in creating custom music for video games, animations and short films. Clients commission me to create custom music e.g. a custom soundtrack or custom theme tune for their projects.

I also have clients who license music from my back catalogue for use in their video games and who often ask me what the options are for music on a limited budget. This drove me to create my range of game music packs which are aimed at enabling those not able to hire a composer to access ready-made tracks for their games.

As a supporter of indie game developers, I wanted to collate all the other resources that I’m aware of that could be useful for the gamedev community. So, here are the different places where I believe you can find game music packs and royalty free music for your game project.

Do note that royalty free doesn’t necessarily mean that it is free. Royalty free music - is music that can be used without an ongoing royalty fee being paid to the creator.

I hope you find these all useful!

1. Stock Music Websites

Stock music websites are one of the most common places to find game music packs. These sites offer a wide range of tracks, from cinematic scores to upbeat electronic beats, which can be used in various game genres. Websites like AudioJungle, Pond5, and PremiumBeat provide extensive libraries of royalty-free music tracks, often organized into specific themes or moods.

The benefit of stock music is that the tracks are often ready to be used right away. However, one downside is that these websites sometimes feature music that feels generic or overused, so it can be a challenge to find something that feels truly unique for your game.

2. Dedicated Game Music Libraries

For game developers looking for tracks that are specifically designed for gaming, dedicated game music libraries are a great resource. These sites offer collections of tracks tailored to video game soundtracks, with music created to suit the dynamic and interactive nature of games. Popular game-specific music libraries include GameDev Market, OpenGameArt, and Kenney.nl.

These libraries often feature music that aligns more closely with the unique needs of game developers, such as music that adapts to different gameplay scenarios or themes. You'll often find music packs designed for certain genres, like RPGs, platformers, or puzzle games.

3. Royalty-Free Music Platforms

If you’re looking for high-quality music that doesn’t come with a hefty price tag or licensing headaches, royalty-free music platforms are an excellent choice. On these platforms, you pay a one-time fee or subscribe to access a library of music tracks that you can use in your game without worrying about ongoing royalties.

One notable platform for royalty-free music is Ninichi Music. Ninichi offers a variety of royalty-free game music packs that can be licensed for commercial use, making it an excellent choice for indie game developers. Her music is carefully crafted to fit various game genres and styles, from fantasy and adventure to chiptune and relaxing ambient tracks. You can browse through her selection and find a music pack that suits the mood of your game.

4. Independent Composers and Artists

If you're looking for something more unique and tailored to your game's specific needs, consider exploring music by independent composers and artists. Many independent musicians sell their music directly through platforms like Bandcamp, SoundCloud, or their personal websites. By purchasing music directly from an artist, you may even be able to negotiate exclusive rights or custom music tailored to your game’s specific requirements.

Independent composers often offer music that has a distinct style, which can make your game stand out. Contact Ninichi directly to discuss your specific game music needs.

5. Ninichi’s Royalty-Free Game Music Packs

For game developers looking for high-quality, royalty-free music that fits a variety of game genres, Ninichi’s royalty-free game music packs are an excellent option. Ninichi is an experienced composer who has created a diverse range of music packs designed specifically for game developers. From atmospheric and ambient tracks to energetic and upbeat themes, Ninichi’s music can be the perfect complement to your project.

On her website, you can explore a selection of ready-to-use music packs that are versatile, easy to implement, and affordable. Whether you're working on a fantasy RPG, an action-packed platformer, or a relaxing puzzle game, Ninichi’s music packs provide a wide array of options for every kind of game.

Her royalty-free game music packs allow you to purchase high-quality music without worrying about ongoing licensing fees. Plus, these tracks are crafted with attention to detail, ensuring that they’re the perfect fit for your game’s atmosphere and narrative.

You can find Ninichi’s royalty-free game music packs directly here.

6. Customizable Music Packs

Some platforms, like Bensound and Soundstripe, offer customizable music packs where you can tweak the tracks to fit your game’s specific needs. These packs often come with variations in tempo, instrumentation, and arrangement, allowing you to create a more personalized soundtrack without having to hire a composer. This flexibility can be a great advantage if you're working on a game with multiple levels, stages, or environments that require different moods. Ninichi also often adapts tracks to suit specific needs and also has a vast library of music archived that can be licensed on request. So, if you see something on her Bandcamp, SoundCloud or website that you feel would work well with your game, don’t be afraid to get in touch and ask about it.

7. Free Music Libraries

For developers on a tight budget, there are also a number of free music libraries that offer game music tracks for commercial use. Websites like Free Music Archive (now Epidemic sound), Incompetech, and Purple Planet Music provide a selection of royalty-free music tracks that can be used in your game for free, with some requiring attribution.

While free music libraries can be a great resource, it’s important to carefully check the licensing terms to make sure you’re allowed to use the music in commercial projects. Additionally, because free music is widely available, it may be harder to find truly unique tracks that aren’t already used by other developers.

In Conclusion Finding the right music for your game is essential to creating a memorable and engaging experience for your players. Whether you choose to browse stock music websites, explore dedicated game music libraries, or look for royalty-free music, there are many options available to developers.

For those looking for high-quality, royalty-free music specifically crafted for games, Ninichi’s music packs provide a great selection of ready-to-use tracks designed for various game genres. Be sure to check out her royalty-free music packs here and find the perfect soundtrack for your next project!

You may also enjoy exploring some of my other resource related blogs:


About the author: Ninichi is a game and film music composer. She works on a range of freelance composing projects supporting talented game developers and film makers with their music. 

Want some great custom music for your game? Listen to Ninichi's game music or contact her now to discuss your game music needs.

Follow her @ninichimusic

8 Top Resource Lists for Indie Game Developers

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By Ninichi | Contact | Follow

Welcome to my blog! If you’ve not been here before, I’m Ninichi, a freelance video game music composer based in the UK. I work with independent game developers all over the world creating original music for their wonderful creations! I also maintain this blog where I try to share some of my experiences with you as well as trying to draw in knowledge and resources that I come across within the game development industry to share with you. The aim here is to try and build a resource that you can turn to when in need and that can support and help you through your game development journey.

This blog has been going for a few years now and so I thought that it could be useful to highlight and summarise some of the most popular resource lists and to pull them together in this blog so it’s easy for everyone to get to. So, here goes…

1. 11 Awesome Places for Game Developers to Learn Unity & Programming

Unity is an incredibly popular game building engine that many independent game developers choose to use. That’s why I created this blog to help list a wide range of training resources, tutorials and online schools where you can access great learning tools to help you get a grasp of Unity’s game development programming language and platform.

2. 17 Great Place to Find Free Game Art

Art and graphics plays a really important role in all games. If you have the means to create custom art yourself or to work with a game artist to do this, it is definitely something worth exploring and investing in. However, there are also a wide range of resources with ready-made art that can be useful to be aware of and explore. Check out the sites I found which offer free art for video games.

3. 12 Great Places to Find Sound Effects for Your Game

Another area where people often struggle and also where some people ask me for help and ideas is sound effects. Since I create the music for games, I know how important it is to get the sound and mood right for each area of a game. Finding the right sound effects is often key to creating the effect and experience that you want. Explore these resources to see if you can find the sound effects you need to make your game great! I would also recommend hiring a sound designer too if you want custom sound effects or are looking for something a bit more specific for your game.

4. 10 Awesome Source of Funding and Grants for Your Indie Game

As an indie game developer, finding a way to fund your game is often a real challenge. This is a common theme but there are resources out there to help which is why I decided to research a few options and pull them together in this article. Check out what funding opportunities and grants might be available to help you develop your game.

5. 10 Crowdfunding Platforms to Consider for Your Indie Project

I’ve seen many indie games become successful through launching a crowdfunding project and have been involved in a few myself as well - for example helping to create the music for trailers and prototype games as they prepare for their Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaigns. There are however, many different platforms which handle crowdfunding and so explore this list to see what might be the best option for you.

6. 10 Places to Find Beta Testers for Your Indie Game

Before releasing your game it is often a really good idea to make sure you get it tested and that you get some initial feedback from potential players. This will help to iron out any potential bugs and issues with your game and give you the opportunity to fine tune it before sharing your game with the general public. Here are some places where you can find willing and eager beta testers for indie games.

7. 16 Indie-Friendly Indie Game Publishers

This is one of my most read resource lists! Once your game has been developed and is ready for the big wild world to see, you may want to get help in publishing it. However, as a small indie game studio or indie game developer, it may not be obvious where to start. Here, I’ve tried to collate a range of game publishers that I could find that seem to be focused on supporting indie games and indie game developers.

8. 11 Places to Publish and Release Your Indie Game

Knowing what to do with and where to release your game once it’s ready can challenging, especially if this is your very first game! It’s a super exciting time though and many congratulations to getting to this stage. There are many ways to get your game out there without a publisher. Check out your options in this article and good luck!


About the author: Ninichi is a freelance UK-based indie game music composer. She works with indie game developers and indie filmmakers to create soundtracks for video games, film & media. She can compose in a wide range of styles & loves getting involved in new projects. Find out more about her game music or royalty free music and contact her to discuss your project and music needs.

Follow her @ninichimusic

7 Top Tips For Indie Game Developers from Darlene Barker

Interview By Ninichi | Contact | Follow

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog! If this is your first time, I’m Ninichi and I’m a game music composer. I make music for video games as well as for film, TV, commercials etc. I also run this blog which has a host of information, articles and resources for indie game developers, filmmakers and anyone else interested in the world of games, film, music & media!

This week, I’m excited to share my interview with Darlene Barker (@darlenebarker) - an indie game developer, wife, mother and much much more!…

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11 Awesome Places for Game Developers to Learn Unity & Programming

By Ninichi | Contact | Follow

If you’re hoping to develop your own game, you may be thinking about which game engine to use and if you’ve chosen which one, you’re probably wondering where to start!

Unity is one of the most popular game engines around and as a game music composer (see more about me and my musicif you wish!) I’ve worked with many super talented indie game developers who I know would swear by it! I must confess, I’m not a programmer and so I can’t give you first hand advice or suggestions on how to go about creating your exciting game, but I have supported enough indie game developers to know that the road ahead may be quite a challenging one!

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