In A Webbing Journey, music isnt just background noiseits a core part of creating a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. To match the magic and elegance of spider webs, weve crafted a soundtrack inspired by string instruments and uplifting melodies. Heres a closer look at how Michael is composing the tunes for your spider adventure. Hi! When I first started making music for A Webbing Journey, the main question was: how should it sound, and which instruments should I use? We wanted AWJ to be a wholesome game, so the music needed to carry that vibe and be uplifting. I also wanted to incorporate as many string instruments as possible. The first track I made was called Go on Little Spider. It turned out to be a bit jazzy, but it ticked all the boxes. Back then, the game was just a prototype and looked like this:
At that stage, the music concept only existed in my head. Later, when our spiders moved into the house, I decided to write it down. I organized it into four areas: General Thoughts, Instrumentation, Structure, and Implementation.

General Thoughts

These havent changed much from the beginning. The goal was to use lots of string instruments, like guitars, violins, cellos, harps, and pianos. I considered including a ukulele, but I havent used it in a composition yet. For the violins, I focused on a playing style called pizzicato, which means plucked strings. I love this soundit evokes images of spiders walking on cobwebs. In addition to string instruments, I wanted to create a chill vibe similar to lofi music but with a more upbeat twist. My final idea was: Classical Music Soundtrack meets Lofi Songs.

Instrumentation

In addition to the string instruments mentioned above, I decided to include E-pianos, electric guitars, rhythmic pad sounds, and warm vinyl noise to evoke that lofi aesthetic. Where appropriate, I added bells and flutes for a playful touch, as well as orchestral percussion instruments like mark trees, cymbals, woodblocks, triangles, and wind chimes. I wanted to avoid strong rhythm instruments like drum sets, opting instead for subtle beats or even using the voiced instruments themselves to create rhythm.

Structure

For the background music, I didnt need to use traditional song structures with verses and choruses. So I had a lot of freedom there. Most important to me was that the music should not be annoying even after listening to it for a long time. To achieve this, I use longer arrangements with variations to keep it interesting. Subtle transitions between sections prevent players from mistaking the music for in-game events.

Implementation

In game music, its common to use dynamic tracks that change based on variables like the players location or game state. In the earlier island levels (if you remember them), the music changed based on the area. The castle had its own background music, as did the caves, the temple, and other locations. A special race track played during swinging races.
Now that the game takes place in a house with smaller rooms, it doesnt make sense to have dedicated music for each area. We experimented with tying the music to a progress parameter, like the number of webs built. While this sounded cool in theory, spider web-making is unpredictable, so we risked creating great tracks that might never be heard. For now, weve chosen to use beautifully crafted tracks that play in sequence. This ensures every piece gets its moment to shine.

Wrapping Up

Music is such an important part of shaping the atmosphere in A Webbing Journey, and weve put a lot of thought into making it feel just right. From the warm, plucked tones of pizzicato strings to the soft hum of lofi-inspired melodies, every track is crafted to bring a cozy and uplifting feel to your adventure. We cant wait for you to experience the full soundtrack in-game! Do you have a favorite type of game music, or is there a particular instrument youd love to hear in A Webbing Journey? Let us know in the commentswed love to hear your thoughts! Thanks for reading, and as always, happy web-spinning!

[ 2025-02-04 13:19:02 CET ] [ Original post ]