Music creation encompasses a wide range of genres, including rock, classical music, film music, and video game music. While it may be tempting to rank these genres based on their relative worth or importance, is this justified given that each type of music serves a unique purpose? When it comes to video game music, its importance in the development of this art becomes immediately apparent.

In the early days of arcade games, which were available to the public in the 1970s, the music for these game kiosks was stored on tapes or records. This was not practical as these media were prone to damage due to repeated use, and the music could only mark the transition from one level to the next rather than being directly connected to the player's actions.

During the mid-1980s, video games moved to individual computers (Commodore, Atari, etc.). The music gradually became integral to the nature of each game, highlighting the player's actions. However, the programming techniques and storage capabilities of the chips that replaced analog media remained limited, restricting the creation of this music. Fortunately, the release of software such as Ultimate Soundtracker made it easier to incorporate music into video games using digitized samples that complemented the programs of electronic chips. Finally, the CD support revolutionized video games and their music due to its significantly increased storage capacity. As a result, the music became increasingly elaborate in both form and aesthetics.

Yet from the beginning, some video game music compositions were truly aesthetic masterpieces of invention. If we had to mention just one composer, it would be Koji Kondo, who from 1984 brought nobility to this music. The composer of Mario Bros., Zelda, and others has skillfully invented a musical genre despite numerous constraints: orchestration was not possible, the sounds were limited, and the chords were few in number because they took up too much storage space. And yet Koji Kondo's music creates an atmosphere of great richness, evoking emotion. Thus, video game music, in addition to guiding players in their actions, also helps to create an atmosphere that enhances the visual aesthetics of the game.

And above all, the music creates an emotional bond between the player and the game. It humanizes the non-human, creating a sense of anthropomorphism through the music. This identification with the characters in the game is essential for the player to find meaning in playing. The emotions evoked by the music create a strong sense of empathy with the game world. Koji Kondo understood this well; his music provides a gateway into a virtual world, allowing for sensory immersion. Those who played Zelda decades ago still cherish its music today. The limitations imposed on the composer actually spurred his creativity and led him to adopt a writing style that was concise yet gave each motif real depth.

In our modern era, video games are increasingly intertwined with the film industry through shared franchises and techniques. As a result, the music in these games is often less distinctive and personal, and frequently resembles film music.

Does this mean that this musical genre has vanished? Let's just say it has evolved… Some pop artists incorporate these synthetic sounds into their compositions, which, like Proust's madeleines, revive our emotions.