Interview with VG Composer Jason Graves (Dead Space, Alpha Protocol)

Jason Graves spoke to UGDB (Universal Gaming Database) recently regarding his work on Dead Space, Alpha Protocol, Command & Conquer 4, and his inspirations in music composition recently.

“I’ve always loved listening to music, especially film music,” Graves said. “John Williams’ score to E.T. really transformed my idea of the power of music. I remember seeing it in the theater as a kid. It really made an impact on me.”

He also discussed his work on Dead Space, an astounding soundtrack given that it was his first horror score.

“My ultimate goal of any soundtrack is to elevate the gaming experience for the player and provide some kind of emotional backbone to the story. That’s really what inspires me! It just so happens that the main emotion needed for Dead Space was “sheer terror.” My orders from Electronic Arts were to “compose the scariest game music ever heard.” All of that pressure resulted in a little bit of “sheer terror” on my part as well!” Graves said.

Despite working on all that sheer terror, actually recording the tracks for Dead Space was an incredibly enjoyable process.

“We laughed so much between takes! That kind of stuff is like being a kid again and just banging away for the fun of it. Except for the part about being on a world-class recording stage with sixty other people doing the same thing,” Graves said. “It actually got to the point where I had to put on a “serious face” at the end of each take and keep my arms in the air for an extra few seconds, otherwise players would start laughing at the very end and ruin the take”

Finding inspiration for work also provides Graves with a convenient excuses for shopping sprees.

“However, if I’m working on an existing franchise, like Star Trek or Aliens, that pretty much gives me the excuse to go online or to the local comic book shop and buy as many toys as I can find,” Graves said. “Not to mention whatever previous games or movies I can find at the store or see in the theater. I have one of the few jobs where toys, video games and Blu-Ray DVD’s are considered a business expense!”

Check the full interview for more details.

[via UGDB]

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