How do video game music composers make so many songs for one game? Are all of them some sort of musical talent / genius?

Question

I love video game soundtracks from to 8-bit ones to the very orchestral pieces but it's not clear to me how they can make so many songs for one game. Even if there are motifs which can help make multiple track by variations there are plenty of very different tracks. For example: Mega Man games. Each stage has it's own atmosphere and melody, "feeling" and I don't think those tracks are so motif-sharing or just remix the same melody like the ones for example in Undertale, where Megalovania was the "base song" for almost the whole soundtrack. I was thinking maybe they use every melody they find since a simple melody can express many different emotion and atmosphere depending on the rythm, correct rest placing and of course the instruments and the underlying bass, but still... Are these composers so talented that they immediately hear the melody which is fitting for the certain level, atmoshpere or there are plenty of trying / experimenting and improvisation until they find a melody which sounds good? I was trying to find good melodies for some imaginary scene but I just couldn't make my head "hear it". Even with improvisation... I've been learning the past weeks so it can be a reason. Sometimes I hear ideas in my head, some of them similar to existing songs, some of them not, the same with improvisation which I think I can do better but I'm starting to worry that it's not the very lack of experience or because I don't have instrument but the lack of the talent.

Answer 1

You have a lot of good points here. Composers definitely take time to work out ideas, especially for large project like a video game. Certain techniques can be used to make the process faster. An experienced composer knows what type of melodies, harmonies, or rhythms may be appropriate for a certain level, character, etc. A very common technique is the use of intervals. Larger leaps like a 5th or higher can create more excitement in the melody, while 2nds and 3rds are more singable and melodic. Certain chords or chord progressions may also create different moods. For instance, a major or minor triad is very “stable” while a minor7(b5) chord can be a very “longing” or “open-ended” chord. Also the time signature and tempo have a major effect on the vibe of the piece. One overlooked technique is also orchestration & production, which could be the use of electronic synths, orchestral instruments, horns, vocals, reverb, EQ, and more in their arrangements to add depth and texture.

What you come up with will always be a combination of what you’ve listened to (similar to you are what you eat). I wouldn’t worry too much about thinking you are stealing anyone’s idea, everything has already been done and redone many times over. What will make your track unique is the development of your ideas and the above techniques.