IDEAS FOR RYZOM

Disclaimer: I play on a GNU operating system and the ingame "mp3 player" doesn't work yet.

IMHO, despite ryzom gameplay is very open and well designed, is still a very slow game (maybe due the world been too big or cos there're just a few people), so having more music background would be very nice, and grabbing some music files from OpenGameArt.org (or other permisive source) in including it in ryzom would be an efficient solution.

Here some examples, although are many more:

http://opengameart.org/sites/default/files/TheLoomingBattle_0.OGG
http://opengameart.org/sites/default/files/FoxieEpic_0.OGG
http://opengameart.org/sites/default/files/wind.ogg (sound)
http://opengameart.org/sites/default/files/lust_0.mp3
http://opengameart.org/sites/default/files/magical_theme.flac

Well, I know not all the music in opengameart.org can fit Ryzom quality standards, but you get the point.

You could also look into Jamendo.org, artist as Mattias Westlund (from Wesnoth game) and many others have done a nice job in game music for other projects.

I know you already should know this, but I think it's worth to remember.

Kind regards

I could imagine music in Ryzom playing similar to Minecraft. They are started and stopped by random and tuned in very subtle. I believe this could work very well. It should not be like the capital themes, which start upon entering that area. It should be mysterious and not predictable as in "this is Kipee Hill, where the Marching Kipee tune always plays." To me the sounds of the world and mobs always had a special appeal. I don't want to see it lost.

Just my 2 cents.

I'm also totally agreed with this approach.

I would definitely like some subtle background music. Not like the capital music that kind of boom through your speaker as soon as you enter.

Background music is such a large part of setting atmosphere that it's actually rather surprising Ryzom, which does so much to build a good atmosphere, does not have it.

However, they would need at least about 12 tracks, and it would need to be very Ryzomy music, quality is very important here. I'm not sure how they'd get such music unless it's already lying around somewhere from the Nevrax days....

I think a general absence of background music is a conscious design decision, not a neglection. Atys doesn't really need any background music, because it already has something better than that: an ambient soundtrack.

The wind constantly howling along the cliffs of Silan, unseen gigantic animals stomping their way through the abyss below. Insect chirping in sunny afternoon lakelands. Loud, almost deafening choir of wildlife in evening forests. How could any music match that? This IS music... it's the symphony of life.

Also, auditory perception is important. Hearing that one gingo growl behind your back can mean a difference between life and DP. :-)

Being an old player I was at first also thinking like you, Ayto. But I thought, why not, I can always turn the music off and enjoy the ambience again. So I'd give it a shot.

On the basis that I object, in RL, to having music thrown at me in most retail outlets, or everytime I pass their doors, I also prefer the natural sounds of the enviroment. Background music has never made any sense to me. If I want to listen to music, I do so selectively and not in combination with other activites, except for dancing, of course :-)

I too would rather not have background music; I don't think the game needs it, but if it can be turned off as an option whilst the normal 'environment' noises stay, then OK.

That's a valid point... as long as it can be turned off (or NOT turned on, as in opt-in) without influencing the game sounds, I suppose it's okay.

I'd like to see this developed even further, though... being able to replace individual tracks with my own music or turn them off altogether (to have music played only when in combat mode / only when riding a mount / only when in a city / or any combinations thereof...).

ow about some compiled playlists which can be selected in the MP3 player (without having to browser for the folder) like "matis theme", "kami theme", "desert theme", "kitin theme", "fight theme", ... or just the obligatory "all included music"

and if one of those lists is being played it will repeat itself upon ending instead of stoping like the normal music and it will start again after relog if it was running before. (pressing stop or selecting own music will prevent it from playing after relog)