Before You Play, You Feel It: Music’s Role in Game Trailers

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Hello Friends,

Video games have always been about storytelling—big, bold, and immersive narratives that transport us into new worlds. As the gaming industry has grown, so has its audience. It’s no longer just for a single "gamer" demographic. Today, games resonate with anyone who loves a good story, reaching across age groups and interests.

With this broader appeal, the gaming world has leaned into storytelling tools that feel cinematic, borrowing techniques we’re familiar with from blockbuster movie campaigns. And at the core of these trailers, there’s one element that makes them unforgettable: sound.

Game Trailers Have Gotten Cinematic

We’re not just watching gameplay clips anymore. Trailers today feel like movie teasers. They set up the world, hint at the stakes, and leave you curious. When it’s done right, you walk away not just interested in the game, but already connected to it.

That emotional pull is what makes a good trailer stick.

Why Sound Is Essential

Sound elevates that connection. Music, in particular, anchors the emotional core of a trailer. The right track can amplify excitement, create tension, or instill a sense of triumph. It sets the tone for what players can expect from the game.

For example, my team and I had the opportunity to contribute to the launch trailer for Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile. Our remix of The Heavy’s “How You Like Me Now,” brought a bold energy to the campaign. That remix was part of our Trailer Remixes 02 collection via Black Sheep Music—a series of tracks we release exclusively to the trailer/marketing industry.

We also had the chance to remix “everything i wanted” by Billie Eilish, which was featured in the launch trailer for Destiny 2: The Final Shape. This was a team effort through Black Sheep Music, combining the talents of Bojan Katalina, Darby Phillips, and myself.

Destiny 2: The Final Shape marks a major milestone in the Destiny universe, bringing the long-running Light and Darkness saga to its conclusion. It’s a story that’s spanned years, and being part of the trailer campaign for a moment that meaningful was a memorable experience for all of us.

Another project we were proud to be part of was the trailer for The Last of Us Part II: Remastered. Our team’s track A Devouring Raid, from the album BSM Music_012_Tension, was featured in the trailer.

The remaster brings updated visuals, added content, and gameplay improvements, giving both longtime fans and new players a fresh look at one of the most emotionally driven stories in gaming. It was great to have our music help support the mood of a game that’s had such a lasting impact.

Trailers and Gaming’s Identity

Cinematic trailers and the music that drives them do more than promote. They help define how a game is introduced to the world. They set the tone, build anticipation, and invite players into a story worth stepping into.

That emotional connection is what stays with you long after the trailer ends.

When the sound lines up with the visuals and both are working toward the same moment, that’s when a trailer really lands.

Thanks for reading!
-Nathan

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Let’s Create Together

Are you a visual storyteller in media? My team and I are excited to explore how we can bring your stories to life with distinctive soundscapes. Get in touch and let’s discuss how music and sound design can transform your project.

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