Textural Tactics – Plugins for Video Game Music

Plugins are a key part of the modern recording landscape, and we all have our favorites that we use to craft the overall sound and sonic richness we want across our various projects.

My most recent project was a game called Aground Zero from Fancy Fish Games. As a video game composer, I thought it would be fun and helpful to explore some of the plugins I used to create the sounds and textures needed for the game.

When working on the soundtrack to a video game, sometimes, I’m going for a ‘Subnautica’ (underwater) sound; other times, I want to create the sensation of an ethereal, floating world.

For Aground Zero, the goal was to craft an immersive musical odyssey that captured the essence of exploration and survival. The multi-award-winning dynamic score seamlessly blends vibrant textures with electronic elements to create a soundscape that evolves in tandem with the player’s actions.

From familiar motifs that echo the serenity of discovery in the original Aground soundtrack to high-energy tracks that heighten moments of tension, the soundtrack was designed to be a true companion on the player’s adventure to rebuild a civilization.

Everything was composed with the player in mind. One of my core intentions was to break the monotony often found in looping music for survival and crafting games.

Below are some of the plugins I used to help shape the distinct textures in various pieces: