A Capstone Project by: Kielen King
Kastlevania
A Capstone Project by: Kielen King
Kastlevania is a re-composed soundtrack for the 1986 Nintendo Entertainment System game, Castlevania. The collection of compositions are presented via a composite video using game play footage paired with the new soundtrack providing a seamless viewing experience as if the new soundtrack had shipped with the original game.
Special thanks to: laurencium for graciously allowing the use of his original game play footage.
Kastlevania
A Capstone Project by: Kielen King
Kastlevania is a re-composed soundtrack for the 1987 U.S. Nintendo Entertainment System game, Castlevania. The collection of compositions are presented via a composite video using game play footage paired with the new soundtrack providing a seamless viewing experience as if the new soundtrack had shipped with the original game.
Special thanks to laurencium for graciously allowing the use of his original game play footage.
The Project
As the capstone project to complete the requirements for my Master of Music: Music Technology (MMMT) degree at Southern Utah University, this project was intended to display the skills and abilities required for video game music composition, with respect to genre, game storyline, and visual aesthetic.
The soundtrack was composed using VST instruments that synthesized sounds similar to the original soundtrack, a MIDI controller, and DAW. Original game sound effects were also layered on top of the new soundtrack. This allowed for a more seamless application of the new soundtrack to the original game play footage.
The original Castlevania game launched on the U.S. Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987 and its score was composed by Kinuyo Yamashita & Satoe Terashima. The original game was very popular among gamers and presented an original soundtrack that was well received and memorable.
My ultimate goal was not to suggest any kind of "improvement" over the original score, but simply to apply what I love to do (make music) to a game that has lasted through the multitude of game (and console) releases as one of the all-time favorites. The project was paired with a research paper covering the project's process and a composition analysis which details each musical piece and its place within the larger project. You may download and read each of those pieces below:
The Music
Lastly, what would be the point of making all of this if I didn't share it with you?
The project tracks are provided here as a free download.
About Me
Professionally, I’ve worked as a podcast professional, composer, voice over talent, and digital content manager. Aside from my solo projects, I’m the founding member of the hip-hop trio, Preytorians. I have a sizable catalog of self-released albums, both vocal and instrumental. My most recognized collection of releases includes a sci-fi epic presented via a trilogy of story-based albums, two successfully funded crowd-funding campaigns, & EPs based on extended stories of supporting characters.
My work is eclectic as evidenced by my personal catalog’s cover song, hip-hop, instrumental, & chiptune releases. I create unique compositions and color outside the lines audibly.
Professionally, I’ve worked as a podcast professional, composer, voice over talent, and digital content manager. Aside from my solo projects, I was part of a short-lived trip-hop group, Azure Noir, in the late 2000s. Additionally, I’m the founding member of the hip-hop trio, Preytorians. I have a sizable catalog of self-released albums, both vocal and instrumental. My most recognized collection of releases include a sci-fi epic presented via a trilogy of story-based albums, two successfully funded crowd-funding campaigns, & EPs based on extended stories of supporting characters.
My work is eclectic as evidenced by my personal catalog’s cover song, hip-hop, instrumental, & chiptune releases. I create unique compositions and color outside the lines audibly.
Copyright Disclaimer
Kastlevania: A Capstone Project | [email protected] | ©2023 Kielen J. King. All rights reserved