Ahoy! As a game Composer and Sound Designer I couldn’t help but spend time studying the incredible Soundtrack, Shanties and Sounds of Sea of Thieves.
This is my first installment of a three-part dive into The Sounds Of The Seas.
I took an in-depth look at Robin Beanland’s incredible soundtrack and pulled it apart for discussions!
So, I’ll get right into how the soundtrack seems to work in Sea Of Thieves!
Terminology
- Music Cue - A section of music used to accompany a specific action or event
- Music Theme - A piece of music tied to a specific place, character, time of day etc.
- Main Theme - The musical theme tied to the game as a whole
- Stab - A single note or chord to add dramatic effect
- Pool - Multiple musical cues created for the same action/event are stored in a ‘pool’ and chosen randomly to prevent repetition/predictability
Music Cues
- Purchase Voyage Cues - When you purchase a voyage a music cue is chosen from the pool and played. I’ve noticed that some times there are two music cues chosen one after another, whether this is an error or not I love the feel of it.
- Island Discovery Cue - Simple as that, when you’re near an island and the name pops up on the screen it’s accompanied by this music cue. I’m hoping that in the future they expand the pool for this as it’s only got one cue.
- Ship Sinking Cue - The unfortunate event of your ship sinking will be accompanied by this music
- General Sailing Cues - While you’re out sailing you’ll hear short musical cues that lasts for 1-3 seconds (Sometimes longer) to maintain player immersion. These are heard every 10-30 seconds.
- Chest Sold Cues - Similarly to the cue associated with the purchasing of voyages, there is a seperate pool of cues for your valuables being handed in.
- Chest Discovered Cue - When you dig up a chest you are greeted with this cue. There’s only one cue at this point, I’m hoping to hear more in the full game as it became quite repetitive on Islands with more than 2 chests.
- Next Phase Of Voyage Cue - When you advance to the next part of the voyage or complete your voyage a cue plays to provide the sense of triumph! Again, I’d like to hear more than the 1 or 2 cues like they currently have.
- Shark Bite Cue - I noticed a very quick string-based stab when you get bitten by a shark.
- Merman/Maid Cue - When the Merman/maid appears to guide you back to your ship there’s a very memorable, almost ethereal, cue.
Themes
- Main Theme - This doesn’t need an explanation, it’s the music that plays on the menu. However, one thing you may note is that a lot of the themes and cues listed are a variation of the main theme (because, well, that’s how a main theme works)
- Faction Themes - As you approach the Gold Hoarder’s tent, their theme begins. This was the same for the Order of Souls in the Alpha, which had a different theme to the Gold Hoarder’s Tent. I can also only assume the Trading Faction will have their own unique theme.
- Shipwreck Theme - When you dive down to investigate a shipwreck you’re shadowed by a dark and unsettling theme to keep you on the edge. I’ve noticed that the theme is synced with the average time it takes to swim to the lowest deck. I discovered this as I watched the music change as players reached the lowest deck. Seven times in a row it synced perfectly.
- Edge of Map Theme - As the water turns red and you near your untimely demise you are warned by this dark, swelling theme to turn back! This could also be listed as a music cue however I’ll list it as a theme for now.
- Ferry of The Damned Theme - When you either made a big mistake or were outgunned by rival pirates, you’ll be hearing this theme as you wait, on the mysterious Ferry Of The Damned, for your return to the seas.
Cannonball Music
I had a listen to the music that plays each time you hit a rival ship with a cannonball and decided to break it apart and figure out the chords!
Cannonball Hit Sequence - Em, C (E-G-C), Em6 (E-G-C#), G#m, Em (Triad with added Octave), C (E-G-C-E), Em6 (E-G-C#-E), Am (Triad with added Octave), Bm (Triad with added Octave) and B Octave.
After listening to the sequence I’ve taken a guess that the next chord is an E Octave in order to resolve the music and start the sequence again. However, I can’t prove this because this is the largest sequence I’ve been able to study; 10 Shots.
So, If anyone has a recording of more than 10 hits on the same ship in sequence, please let me know!
Thanks for reading!
I'd love to hear how you're enjoying the music, and any thoughts you have regarding the brilliant soundtrack.
My next Sounds Of The Seas Installment will focus on the shanties in Sea Of Thieves. Be advised, I've done a lot of digging and have some great ideas as to which instruments we may be bringing aboard in the future!
Yours Sincerely,
Captain LimpLegLenny
