Unleash the Power: Unleashing the Magic of the Black Dragon Mage
Black Dragon Mage is a uniquely crafted gaming experience that seamlessly blends the art of music with captivating gameplay Its developer's innovative approach of starting with sheet music has resulted in a truly dynamic and immersive adventure Dive into this mesmerizing world and let the music guide your every move
Highlights
Black Dragon Mage is a game that draws upon the principles of songwriting to create its gameplay experience.
Content
Tom Nemec, the developer, initially crafted the game's music and used it as a basis for the visual progression.
The game's encounters adhere to a pattern of tension and release, mirroring the structure found in popular music, thus establishing a comforting and satisfying gameplay experience.
The unique aspect of Black Dragon Mage is that, unlike most games, it does not rely on rhythm-based gameplay or incorporate rhythmic actions. Instead, it draws inspiration from the art of songwriting to create a survival game. At first glance, the musical influence may not be readily apparent in Black Dragon Mage. The game is, in fact, reminiscent of Vampire Survivors, where players control the titular mage navigating through a post-apocalyptic wasteland and nurturing a dragon egg. It offers intense action, referred to by the developer as "bullet heaven," and features arena hazards akin to those found in Bomberman. Even from a narrative standpoint, music plays a minimal role in shaping the overall story. However, according to Tom Nemec, the solo developer behind the game, it was the process of composing music that laid the foundation for the central gameplay mechanics in this upcoming title.
In a recent interview with Game Rant, Nemec revealed that he began composing music for the game during its early stages of development. He explained that it is not typical for music to be drafted so early, but for him, it was essential in establishing the desired atmosphere and overall experience.
Furthermore, Nemec mentioned his passion for composing and shared that he has a vast collection of unused music on his hard drive. When he listens to these tracks, he can immediately envision how they would perfectly complement a game. He specifically wrote several orchestral pieces and spent considerable time perfecting them, resulting in the game's current soundtrack. Based on these compositions, he was able to envision the visual aspects of the game and advance its development accordingly.
In order to capture a captivating high fantasy experience for the game, he opted for a complete orchestral arrangement that draws inspiration from both Dungeons and Dragons and the iconic soundtracks of The Elder Scrolls. However, he desired more than just these musical elements. To enhance the process of leveling up, he incorporated synthesizer and chiptune soundfonts that lend a distinct game-like quality. Additionally, for the game's central hub, he infused Arabesque elements to set it apart from the more intense game world. This amalgamation of three musical styles forms the foundation of Black Dragon Mage's diverse soundtrack, which then shapes the visual aesthetics of the game world.
Music played a vital role not only in the realm of environmental design, but also in the concept of encounters. According to Nemec, encounters were influenced by the principles of well-crafted songs, particularly the tension-and-release structure commonly found in popular music.
The aim was to create a game that was both easily approachable and intellectually stimulating. The rounds in the current mode lasted for 30 minutes, with a gradual increase in intensity. The initial stages were designed to make players feel at ease, gradually building up to a point where tension is heightened, mirroring the progression in good music. This tension then culminates in a release, followed by another buildup towards the second chorus. This pattern resembles the structure of pop music, where tension is consistently built and released throughout the entirety of the course. Such was the envisioned concept for these rounds.
Nemec explained that this creates a satisfying and familiar pattern for players as they progress towards the bridge and chorus before the key change during the boss battle. Despite not needing any musical knowledge or instrument skills, players can perform a song through combat and engagement by following the structure of the music. Nemec's aim was to make the game feel dynamic and energetic, similar to how rhythm games excel, and the underlying structure of each song in Black Dragon Mage contributes to achieving this goal. The game is set to be released on Steam in the fourth quarter of 2023.
