New study reveals most influential gaming soundtracks, as Dawn of Ragnarok wins Grammy

Earlier this week, Assassins Creed’s critically acclaimed Dawn of Ragnarok expansion won the Grammy award for the Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media. Although gaming has been represented at the Grammys before, with Austin Wintory winning in the category of Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media for his work with Journey, this is the first time that a category has been designated solely to the industry.

The decision to celebrate video gaming at one of the United States’ biggest award ceremonies was welcomed, but critics said that the category failed to adequately represent the breadth of talent and diversity in the industry. With this in mind, researchers at Titan Ice set out to celebrate the most popular gaming soundtracks of all time.

How our study was conducted:

We used a database of the most popular video games throughout the last few decades, in combination with rankings of the best video game soundtracks, to compile a list of more than 100 video games. We then searched for each artist on Spotify, and noted the total number of streams for the most popular song from each game. We also recorded monthly streaming totals for each artist.

The top 20 most popular songs and instrumentals from video games

Megalovania

Megalovania, composed by Toby Fox and featured in the soundtrack for Undertale, topped our list of the most beloved video game songs and instrumental, with more than 134 million plays. Composed in the D Minor key and using the blues scale, Megalovania is a complex piece of music which features peppy repetition, syncopated notes and catchy guitar riffs.

Used as the backdrop for a final battle, Megalovania actually appears in quite an obscure section of Undertale, so much so that it is often described as something of an easter egg. The fact that it has become so prolific, then, is quite an achievement.

Owner of Titan Ice, and gaming expert, Johan De Klerk, had this to say about the top songs:

Sweden

“C418’s Sweden, meanwhile, composed for Minecraft, currently has over 119 million plays on Spotify. C418 hails from Germany, and has also contributed to soundtracks for Ivy Road, Clicker and Life Changing Moments Seem Minor in Pictures.

“Sweden is low key, beginning with a sombre piano chord progression. Strings, a glockenspiel and piano also feature in the track. Both thoughtful and grandiose, Sweden evokes sentiments of loneliness and tranquillity. Minecraft was released in 2011, so its soundtrack, for many gamers, is nostalgic, allowing them to reminisce about their childhood. Sweden appears on many Spotify playlists dedicated to lazy Sunday afternoons and study days.”

Rip and Tear 

“Doom’s Rip and Tear ranked third on our list, with more than 78 million plays. The 2016 Doom soundtrack, composed by Mick Gorden, is frantic and punchy – the perfect accompaniment to a first-person shooter about slaying hellish demons.

“Synthesisers and electric guitars dominate the metal-infused score. Critically acclaimed on its release, the 2016 Doom soundtrack is adored by both gamers and non-gamers alike.”

The most popular video game composers: Ranked by number of Spotify plays 

In terms of composers, Michael Giacchino ranked the highest in terms of Spotify plays per month. Recognised in the gaming industry for his work on The Lost World: Jurassic Park, the Medal of Honor series, Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction, Call of Duty and Call of Duty: Finest Hour, Giachino has also composed for celebrated film franchises. Undertale’s Toby Fox, God of War’s Bear McCreary and Minecraft’s C418 also ranked highly.

The top 10 most popular video game composers