Hello everyone, and welcome back to “Insiders Info: Exclusive Insights into FunPlus & Our Games” the go-to destination for a behind-the-scenes look at the captivating world of gaming.
Today, you are in for a real treat! Dive deep into the world of video game music composition with a very special guest, Zhang Zhiwei. This talented individual is the creative force behind the epic soundtracks of your favorite games like King of Avalon, State of Survival, and Guns of Glory. This is not just an interview, but a journey into the heart of a maestro, the soul behind the symphonies that have captivated us, moved us, and become as integral to our gaming experiences as the characters we play and the worlds we explore.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
HI THERE! CAN YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US WHERE YOU ARE FROM?
Hello everyone, my name is Zhang Zhiwei, you can call me Gary. I am a game audio designer, composer, and have been working and living in China for many years.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AS A MUSIC CREATOR FOR GAMES? HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR CAREER AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE THIS PATH?
During my school years, I focused on studying music, and after graduating, I began teaching music production at a university, specializing in game audio development, game music composition, and interactive audio design.
In 2010, I founded China’s first game audio program at the university, and since then, my career has revolved around game audio development, game music composition, and interactive audio design. The main reason for pursuing this path is my deep passion for both electronic games and music, and the combination of the two in my work brings me great happiness.
HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING WITH FUNPLUS?
I’ve been with FunPlus for nearly four years now. Initially, I was drawn to the company’s focus on creating globalized products, which excited me with the prospect of using cultural elements from all around the world to create music.
WHAT ASPECTS OF WORKING ON VIDEO GAME SOUNDTRACKS DO YOU FIND THE MOST CHALLENGING? AND WHICH ONES ARE MORE REWARDING?
The most challenging aspect of working on video game soundtracks at FunPlus is creating music that players can deeply immerse themselves in and connect with, given their diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Therefore, before diving into music composition, it’s essential to thoroughly research the player community, their characteristics, and their views on music. This approach ensures that our music and games together provide players with a richer and more meaningful experience.
Zhang Zhiwei, FunPlus Game Audio Composer
WHAT ROLE DO YOU BELIEVE MUSIC PLAYS IN ENHANCING THE OVERALL GAMING EXPERIENCE? DO YOU FEEL PLAYERS APPRECIATE IT ENOUGH?
Music plays a significant role in enhancing the overall gaming experience by creating immersion and narrative elements. For instance, in a cold and eerie map, the right music can immediately set the mood. Some players even say they hum game music even when not playing, as it leaves a lasting impression.
HOW DO YOU APPROACH COMPOSING MUSIC FOR GAMES LIKE KING OF AVALON, STATE OF SURVIVAL, OR GUNS OF GLORY WHICH HAVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE & DISTINCT THEME AND ATMOSPHERE?
Games like King of Avalon, State of Survival, or Guns of Glory have their own unique themes and atmospheres, supported by rich world-building, character profiles, and storylines. To create music for these games, we work closely with the game designers to understand all the provided materials and then compose music that aligns with each game system and gameplay.
ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES OR TOOLS YOU USE TO EVOKE EMOTIONS OR ENHANCE THE GAMING EXPERIENCE THROUGH MUSIC?
To evoke emotions and enhance the gaming experience through music, we often employ a technique in SLG (Strategy and Simulation Game) design where we subtly integrate the music into the game to create the desired ambiance and atmosphere without being intrusive.
ARE THERE ANY UNIQUE CONSIDERATIONS OR DIFFERENCES WHEN COMPOSING MUSIC FOR MOBILE GAMES COMPARED TO OTHER PLATFORMS?
Composing music for mobile games presents unique considerations, such as limitations on package size and the need for frequent updates due to the nature of live games. Additionally, we focus on optimizing the music for mobile speakers by applying specific mixing techniques.
COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE ANY INTERESTING ANECDOTES OR CHALLENGES YOU FACED WHILE WORKING ON PREVIOUS PROJECTS AT FUNPLUS?
While working on a project for the State of Survival game, we needed a variety of zombie sounds. Initially, we hired professional voice actors, but later we discovered that our in-house audio designer could produce fantastic zombie sounds. Eventually, even the game designers joined in on the fun, recording a multitude of zombie voices.
AS TECHNOLOGY AND GAMING TRENDS EVOLVE, HOW DO YOU STAY UPDATED AND ADAPT YOUR MUSIC CREATION PROCESS TO SUIT THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF THE GAMING INDUSTRY?
To stay updated with evolving technology and gaming trends, we constantly monitor new audio technologies and invest time in learning and mastering them. For example, we recently explored and implemented Dolby Atmos technology, applying it to various albums across all FunPlus games. We also ventured into AI game audio technology and are now incorporating AI-generated audio into our games.
Zhang Zhiwei, speaker in ChinaJoy 2023
Now, as our dear fans and King of Avalon players know, in July 2023 we celebrated the King of Avalon’s 7th anniversary. To commemorate this incredible milestone, the game not only hosted a series of exciting events but also introduced a range of enticing rewards, including brand-new songs! This addition offered players a unique opportunity to enhance their gaming experience by receiving an exclusive music track for the chosen poet that can be used as the game’s background music, creating a personalized gaming experience.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF CREATING A NEW SONG FOR KING OF AVALON’S ANNIVERSARY? WHAT WERE THE MAIN INSPIRATIONS AND GOALS FOR THIS PARTICULAR COMPOSITION?
The process of creating the songs for King of Avalon’s anniversary involved incorporating elements of European medieval minstrels and Celtic music, inspired by the various characters participating in the Dragon Fire Festival, such as bards, forest maidens, and beautiful princesses. We aimed to make the songs memorable, fitting for each character, and enjoyable for the players.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE CREATING ORIGINAL MUSIC WHILE ALSO STAYING TRUE TO THE ESTABLISHED THEMES AND MUSICAL IDENTITY OF A GAME LIKE KING OF AVALON?
Balancing the creation of original music while staying true to King of Avalon’s established themes is achieved by synchronizing the music direction with the game’s classic settings and introducing fresh musical elements based on new storylines and characters each year.
HOW DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH THE GAME DEVELOPERS AND DESIGNERS TO ENSURE THAT THE MUSIC ALIGNS WITH THE OVERALL VISION AND GAMEPLAY OF KING OF AVALON?
To ensure the music aligns with King of Avalon’s vision and gameplay, we maintain frequent communication with the game designers, as our role in audio design is integrated into the game’s development from the beginning.
(Here’s the link to the Spotify Artist account to play the new album)
LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE, WHAT ARE THE TRENDS OR ADVANCEMENTS IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY THAT YOU ARE EXCITED TO EXPLORE AS A MUSIC CREATOR? HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE EVOLVING IN THE FUTURE?
Looking toward the future, I’m excited about the potential for audio to play a larger role in game development. Music has become increasingly important to games and players, so I believe we need to continuously improve our professionalism to create even better works.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING VIDEO GAME MUSIC COMPOSERS WHO WANT TO PURSUE A CAREER IN THE INDUSTRY?
My advice to aspiring video game music composers is to gain a deep understanding of the game development process and the underlying logic behind it. Since games are interactive, composing music for them can be both challenging and rewarding. Learn diverse musical styles, as game genres vary widely, and your compositions will touch upon various musical elements.
FunPlus Dolby Atmos Studio. Zhang Zhiwei, Game Audio Composers’ Studio desk
And that’s a wrap!
Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed the deep dive into the world of video game music composition. A huge thank you to our guest, Zhang Zhiwei, for sharing his passion and insights with us today. This has been a fascinating journey, exploring how composers create soundtracks that add so much depth and richness to gaming experiences. Music is more than just background noise in our games – it’s a vital part of the narrative, setting the mood, and enhancing the overall experience.
Looking ahead, stay tuned to see how Zhang Zhiwei will continue to innovate and shape the future of video game music. For those of you aspiring to follow a similar path, hopefully, the advice and insights shared today have been inspiring.
Remember, the world of video game music is wide and varied, and there’s room for your unique voice. Until next time, keep gaming, and may the music continue to play, stirring emotions, inspiring adventures, and creating memories in our gaming journeys.
Be sure to play his latest creations for King of Avalon’s anniversary on our Spotify profile!
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