Sounds of Spellborn (mix)

If you have listened to previous mixes on this weblog, you may have grown accustomed to the kind of format that they share. This one has a different approach.

I noticed that a lot of people are unfamiliar with ambient music, but still get exposed to it more than ever: in movie soundtracks, and even more: when playing games. It may not be recognised as ‘music’ at all, but more as sounds to create/enhance an environment – but still: that’s what ambient music is about, isn’t it?

When The Chronicles of Spellborn was released early 2009, I decided to create a special mix from a selection of the sound and music that comes with it.

The Chronicles of Spellborn‘s musical soundtrack was created by Jesper Kyd, while the ambient/environmental sounds were created by dutch ambient music artist Matthew Florianz.  

“Whereas Time is the leading element in movies, it’s Location in games. That’s why these media are so fundamentally different. Sound design in games means creating landscapes, surroundings, atmospheres and the movement within it. In games, the player decides where to move next, thus creating their own mix” (Florianz)

Unfortunately, after it’s release, Spellborn ‘slipped through the cracks’, as it did not get the attention it deserved, in spite of critical acclaim. It is now under redevelopment, and while it is, the current version is available to download and play for free.

This mix is intended for gamers ánd non-gamers to listen to the music without the game context. I’ve chosen parts and samples from the soundtrack (which is over 20 hours of immersive sounds!) without relation to the gameplay and story development.

I don’t know what the future may bring regarding this online game, but The Chronicles of Spellborn deserves to be remembered for its great soundtrack!

This mix was created in february 2009.

Please note that this is part 1 of a 2-part mix. Part 2 can be found [here].

SOUNDS OF SPELLBORN PLAYLIST:

1. Chelicerata
2. Spellborn Intro English (voice: Anna Drijver)
3. Parliament – Gravesbow
4. Character Creation
5. Tutorial Intro (voice: Anna Drijver)
6. Atheneum – Largeroom
7. Lullabye (Music Credits)
8. Mount of Heroes – Night Research
9. Tomb of the Ancestors – Burial Grounds
10. Slywood – Bealemeadow
11. Dungeon Entrance
12. Arena – Inside
13. Arena – Inside Low
14. Arena – Inside Lower
15. Ringfell – Shorathmesa
16. Ringfell – Shorathmesa – Shrine of Currents
17. Ringfell – Night – Shorathmesa Marsh
18. Slywood Tavern Ambience
19. Tavern – Drowning Maiden
20. Tavern – The Gleaming Cauldron
21. Parliament Tunnel Suspence
22. Parliament Tunnels
23. Mount of Heroes – Howlers
24. Ringfell  – Smokespires
25. Tavern – Drowning Maiden
26. Ringfell – Day Shorathmesa Forest
27. Ringfell – Lower Exploration Music
28. Exarchyon – Shardship Explodes
29. Trialcace lvl 50 – Rune
30. Exarchyon – Cutscene
31. Parliament – House Shroud
32. Slywood
33. Tavern
34. Tavern – The Grim Lie
35. Tavern – Traiter’s Rest
36. Mount of Heroes – Research Day
37. Deadspell Storm Music
38. Tutorial Strange (voice: Anna Drijver)
39. Music Menu: The Chronicles of Spellborn
40. Quarterstone – Graveyard Night No Music
41. Slywood – Graveyard

Music by Jesper Kyd
Ambient atmospheric soundscapes by Matthew Florianz