Final Thoughts On SiS Music

Hello again.

I would estimate that sometime in the next 36-72 hours I will upload a new version of Stranded in Space, Days 1-17. This version will have all the previously mentioned improvements, the most noticeable of which is music.

I want to quickly talk about my thoughts related to the music in the game because I'd really appreciate some feedback from those who download the new version with music. With music, I'm much more willing to change things or adapt, based off of feedback.

The music in SiS is, for the most part, divided into two categories. It's either for general scenes or sex scenes. Here is what to expect from the general scene music and my reasoning behind it.

Outside of sex scenes, there is no "mood" specific music. There is no happy, sad, angry, or funny music. It's all space-themed, quiet, ambient music. Why?

Reason 1: over 50% of you said you don't listen to music when you play SiS. In my research, that percentage tracks outside of my game, as well. In my estimation, about half of AVN players don't listen to music while they play AVNs. That's to say nothing about some of you who will just mute the music when you get in game and play your own stuff—which is completely fine with me! I love that, in fact.

Reason 2: I'm very serious about the story and narrative of SiS. Music can be distracting if it's not done perfectly, and I already struggle with deadlines. To sync Lira's "I have a disease" reveal scene to sad, then somewhat "positive/hopeful" music at the end would take too much of my time. I'm too picky; I'd never find the right music.

Reason 3: SiS is almost entirely scene based. Most AVNs that do have music, have it during the "free roam" parts of the game. Like when you're on the world map, or when you're navigating around a house, or when you're playing a minigame. There is music for the escape room and laptop sections of the game, but beyond that, SiS is like 90% scene based. Most AVNs don't play music during non-sex dialogue.

Closing, Reiterative Thought: Music, if it's not perfect, can really ruin scenes that don't involve sex. Most music tells a story; the 30 second mark of a track can feel vastly different than the 1:30 part, even if the entirety of the track itself can accurately be described as "Sad."

If you're learning about Alina's daughter, and there's a "lift/build/crescendo" in the sad track that plays at the wrong part of the scene, it distracts you. It pulls you out of the scene. I don't like that.

So... outside of sex scenes, the music is subtle and quiet. It's meant to blend into the background. It's meant to barely be noticeable. It's just there to fill the silence.

The sex scene music is different, and I like it. It has character. It has style. It has feeling. Like my father, it'll punch you in the mouth when you're not looking (???).

There's not much else to say about it; I like it, and I hope you like it, too.

Anyway, as I bolded above, I'm open to feedback. When it comes to the music in SiS, nothing is set in stone.