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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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!