Why Grim Fandango? (Part 1)
One of the great things about video games today is that we are starting to see the history and evolution of certain threads. Threads related to game play, game design, visual art, animation… the list can go on and on. For me, I like seeing the evolution of the music and sound. Which brings me to the title of this blog. Why Grim Fandango? Why am I writing about a ten year old PC game? Aren’t there better games to write about?
Well, in a word, no. Ok, sure sure, there have been better games (quick help me out I can’t think of one!) 
however, Grim Fandango still stands as the best (and almost last, I’m sorry we have to think about The Dig again…) point and click graphic adventure game developed by LucasArts. The story was hailed as spectacular when it came out and the time and care that went into all of the creative elements was apparent. Tim Schafer as the writer and Peter McConnell as the composer were a great combination!
For composers, though, there is more to it than just another great game. Grim Fandango is one of the great game scores of all time. The soundtrack is very difficult to track down, but is now hosted by the fan site Grim Fandango Network. It was crafted perfectly for the game, elements of the folkloric side of the story as well as big band to match both the writing style and artistic realizations. This is one of the ultimate examples of weaving music tightly with the other elements of the game. A marvel of creative collaboration between visual, story, audio and, believe it or not, programming.
Why did I mention programming? Well, Grim Fandango also relied heavily on a technology developed by LucasArts called iMUSE, Interactive Music Streaming Engine. This technology was started with games like Monkey Island II and led to some of the most of the music toolsets video game composers have access to today.
Take a look at this trailer and tell me you don’t want to play this game!
Interestingly enough, I was preparing a presentation about Grim Fandango last week on campus, when a friend forwarded me this article, that talks about the game and why it was more of a cult favorite as opposed to a commercial success. I’ll write more about that presentation in the coming days, and why I think Grim Fandango is important in the timeline of video game music!
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Since I’m a po’ and disgruntled federal employee in a musician’s body- well not really a musician; I’m a drummer- and since I paid my car off too soon and snarfed my credit score and cannot get a student loan, I’m saddened all over again that I can’t attend BMOL and study under Jeanine. This article and presentation only rubs salt in my wounds. You go, girl! P.S.: Is them guitar loops or didja get Larry Carlton to session whitcha?
Peace and Blessings!
I have to agree that Grim Fandango is one of the last great LucasArts adventure games and I also think the score was amazing. However, there have been many games over that past ten years that should also be mentioned when talking about game audio and interactive music systems. The most recent one I can think of is Call of Duty 4 which is probably the best sounding 1st person combat game I’ve ever played. From its dynamic mixing system to its stunning sound design and music it has really taken game audio to a new level. I should also mention (although I’m a little biased), that Bioshock was pretty good too…
Hey e-rock,
I wish I could take credit for the music, but alas no. You know, drummers are musicians too…. !!!
JC
Hi Scott,
I completely agree. Bioshock is certainly a great score, I was fortunate to hear parts of it at the VG Music Live concert in SF at the GDC. I’ve only heard COD4 while others have been playing, but I’ve been impressed.
I really need to mention the beginning of the Lucas Arts line a bit more, Monkey Island II. Revolutionary score at the time…
JC
I agree with you, I played this game five years ago, it was amazing an also my favorite game, including story , gaming and music. I am trying to buy it in order to play it again.
excellent post!
Yeah, those old LucasArts games like Monkey Island, Maniac Mansion and so on are pretty much required playing for anyone interested in the video game industry. And the amazing thing is that they’re still a lot of fun to play!
I have to admit, I had a lot of fun playing them again last year when I was developing my course! I was even able to use the patches to make GF play under Win XP! I wonder if anyone has succeeded on Vista…
[…] *As a side note the musical pieces are from the Grim Fandango score which I spoke of in an earlier blog (of course!). A MIDI file only contains a set of instructions. These instructions relay […]
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