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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, we check out the most popular video game soundtracks and how much they’ve earned on Spotify.
Music – the beating heart of any story. But in the realm of video games, it becomes more than just background ambience; it’s a world builder, an emotional rollercoaster, and a character in its own right. Those soaring melodies that send shivers down your spine when slaying a dragon, the melancholic piano notes echoing through a devastated city, the adrenaline-pumping beats powering your escape from a horde of zombies – these are the moments that elevate gaming from pastime to profound experience.
Forget your pre-programmed chiptunes of yesteryear! Today, video game soundtracks are masterpieces orchestrated by renowned composers, featuring soaring symphonic arrangements, pulsing electronic beats, and even genre-bending fusion fusions. They’re nominated for awards, debated by critics, and cherished by millions of players, transcending the pixelated boundaries of their virtual worlds.
To work out the most popular and top rated video game soundtracks, gaming experts at SecureCheats have compiled a list from the IMDB of the 50 most popular video games. Spotify data was then found for 29 of the games; as every game soundtrack has a different number of songs, the data was limited to the most streamed top ten songs per soundtrack for an accurate picture. The study also analyzed earnings of the top ten songs of every game soundtrack through the Spotify royalty calculator.
| The top 10 most popular video game soundtracks and their earnings | |||
| Rank | Games | Plays | Earnings |
| 1 | GTA V | 305,040,570 | $725,996.56 |
| 2 | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | 258,680,379 | $615,659.30 |
| 3 | The Last of Us | 179,433,743 | $427,052.31 |
| 4 | Death Stranding | 137,811,743 | $327,991.95 |
| 5 | Red Dead Redemption II | 117,199,242 | $278,934.20 |
| 6 | Spiderman Miles | 107,394,097 | $255,597.95 |
| 7 | God of War | 90,414,836 | $215,187.31 |
| 8 | Red Dead Redemption | 64,278,207 | $152,982.13 |
| 9 | The Last of Us Part II | 57,571,980 | $137,021.31 |
| 10 | Call of Duty Modern Warfare | 50,105,956 | $119,252.18 |
Placing first on the list is the highly popular Grand Theft Auto V. As one of the highest-selling video games of all time, it is no surprise GTA places number one with the top ten songs, having 305,040,570 plays on Spotify, earning $725,996 altogether. The soundtrack features hip-hop royalty, such as A$AP Rocky and Tyler the Creator. A$AP Rocky’s ‘R-Cali’ song alone has 69,414,348 streams through Spotify
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the second most popular video game soundtrack, with the top ten songs receiving 258,680,379 plays on Spotify. The action role-playing game has beaten many strong contenders to take second position on this list, released in 2011; it received critical acclaim upon release and was generally well received by critics. The top ten songs of the soundtrack earn $615,659 alone through Spotify royalty earnings. The most popular song on the soundtrack is ‘Secunda’, which has 44,064,048 streams alone.
The Last of Us ranks third on the list. Naughty Dog developed the 2013 action-adventure game, and its top ten soundtrack songs have 179,433,743 streams, earning $427,052 through Spotify royalties. The Last of Us is one of the most popular video games, so much so that HBO turned it into a popular TV series, which became an award-winning show. The most popular song on the official soundtrack is ‘The Last of Us’ with 60,843,559 plays alone. Gustavo Santaolalla features on every song in the official game soundtrack.
Death Stranding places fourth on the list, with 137,811,743 plays for the top ten songs on the official game soundtrack. The top ten songs earn $327,991 through Spotify royalties, ‘Don’t Be So Serious’ by artist Low Roar has 23,424,933 plays alone on Spotify.
“Red Dead Redemption II” boasts the fifth most popular gaming soundtrack. The top ten songs from this soundtrack have garnered an impressive total of 117,199,242 plays, resulting in substantial Spotify royalties amounting to $278,934.20. Among these tracks, the most streamed song stands out as “Unshaken,” capturing the hearts of listeners and remaining a firm favorite with Red Dead Redemption II fans.
“Spider-Man: Miles Morales” is a popular action-adventure video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The video game has claimed the sixth spot as the most popular gaming soundtrack, solidifying its place among players and music enthusiasts. Its top ten songs have resonated, accumulating a remarkable 107,394,097 streams on platforms like Spotify. This impressive feat has translated into substantial earnings, with Spotify royalties amounting to $255,597.95.
God of War places seventh on the list, with 90,414,836 plays for the top ten songs on the official game soundtrack. The top ten songs earn $215,187.31 through Spotify royalties, with ‘God of War’ by artist Bear McCreary has 39,252,588 plays alone on Spotify.
Red Dead Redemption, the well-loved 2010 action-adventure game from Rockstar Games, takes eighth place. The top ten songs from the soundtrack have gathered 64,278,207 million plays on Spotify, earning $152,982.13 in royalties, showing how players connect with the audio and the immersive nature of the game.
“The Last of Us Part II” secures the ninth position on the list, boasting an impressive 57,571,980 plays for the top ten tracks featured in its official game soundtrack. The collective performance of these songs translates to earnings of $137,021.31 in Spotify royalties.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare rounds up the list, placing in tenth position with 50,105,956 plays for the top ten songs on the soundtrack. Through the top ten songs, the game earns a combined $119,252.18 in Spotify earning royalties.
Music has always been an essential part of gaming, and as an artist, to have your music on a video game can increase the popularity of your streaming numbers. To no surprise, GTA V placed first in the ranking, not only due to the popularity of the game but the fact that the soundtrack also features popular artists such as A$AP Rocky and Tyler, the creator. It’s interesting to see some recent releases, such as Spider-Man: Miles Morales, place on the list even ahead of the original Marvel’s Spider-Man video game release. Some franchises are also so popular that more than one of their video games features on the list, such as Red Dead Redemption and The Last of Us.
– a spokesperson from SecureCheats
And there you have it, folks! We’ve traversed through a symphony of pixels and melodies, celebrating the art form that is the video game soundtrack. From chiptunes that sparked our initial gaming love to the cinematic masterpieces that move us today, these soundtracks have defined eras, fueled emotions, and cemented themselves as cultural touchstones.
But this musical journey isn’t over. The world of video game soundtracks is ever-evolving, constantly pushing boundaries and forging new sonic identities. So, keep your ears attuned, gamers! There are countless epic scores and unforgettable melodies waiting to be discovered, ready to soundtrack your next virtual adventure.
Remember, the best video game soundtracks aren’t just background noise; they’re integral parts of the storytelling, weaving emotions into the very fabric of the game. They’re the sound of victory, the sting of defeat, the echo of exploration, and the quiet beauty of a pixelated sunset. They’re the soundtrack to our memories, the echoes of countless hours spent battling, exploring, and living in digital worlds.
So, keep exploring, keep listening, and keep celebrating the art that lives beyond the screen. After all, a world without video game soundtracks would be a world without adventure, without emotion, and without the magic that makes gaming so truly special. Now, go forth, heroes, and let the music guide you! And don’t forget to share your favorite soundtracks in the comments below – let’s create a collaborative playlist of memories that spans generations of gamers!
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