Women Behind the Sound

Game Music 101

Women have been composing music for video games since their inception and yet their stories can often be forgotten amongst a male-dominated industry. Today’s episode looks to focus in on a selection of women who are behind the sound we hear in video games, both past and present. From Yoko Shimomura’s iconic Street Fighter II soundtrack to the sound design by up-and-comer Em Halberstadt for the award-winning Night In The Woods, the Game Music team is looking at some of their favourite women, their influences, and the versatility of their talents. The team also poses the question, “What sort of social conditioning have these composers and designers experienced as women and have we experienced as listeners?”

Track TitleVideo GameComposer Calling From Heaven(Stage 6)Castlevania: Bloodlines Michiru Yamane Foretellers CaseKingdom Hearts 3Yoko ShimomuraVictoria's LabLittleBigPlanet 2 SoundtrackWinifred PhillipsPrayerCastlevania: Symphony of the Night OSTMichiru YamaneLeft Bank TwoLittleBigPlanet OSTWinifred PhillipsDeep DiveKingdom HeartsYoko ShimomuraThe WildernessLittleBigPlanet SoundtrackWinifred PhillipsLiberation Main ThemeAssassin’s Creed 3: LiberationWinifred PhillipsHikari (Instrumental)Kingdom HeartsYoko ShimomuraRyu StageSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate SNESYoko ShimomuraClear BreezeSkull GirlsMichiru YamanePandora's BoxGod of War SoundtrackWinifred PhillipsPink ShoelacesLittleBigPlanet 3 SoundtrackWinifred Phillips Astral TrainNight in the WoodsAlec HolowkaRyu vs. GuileStreet Fighter IIYoko ShimomuraIn Just A Moment's TimeSkullgirlsMichiru YamaneSinger: Geila ZilkhaMonk chants, 1 through 5HaloMichael SalvatoriThe Wolven Storm (Priscilla's Song)The Witcher 3: Wild HuntPercival (polish folk band)Voyage of Promise (A Galleon Named Minerva)Bloodstained OSTMichiru Yamane