BBC Proms has hosted its first ever Gaming Prom. On stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London, an electronically expanded Royal Philharmonic Orchestra played a concert consisting of classical renditions of video game soundtracks as part of the annual music event.
The Proms stands for summer promenades and refers to famed concerts initially performed in the park. Today, the Proms offer inexpensive tickets, though shows are standing-room-only.
From 1980s game soundtracks to music from modern titles, 2022’s Gaming Prom offers insight into the iconic tracks from many well-known titles with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra able to synthesize the sound of synths and gaming hardware through creative tricks with percussion and wind instruments.
UK citizens can now view the concert in its entirety through iPlayer, while those residing outside the UK can listen to the concert via BBC sounds.
The Gaming Prom is a two-hour concert and features music from various popular games. Beginning with modernized versions of music from the 1987 title, Chronos, the concert also includes pieces from The Legend of Zelda, Secret of Mana, Shadow of Colossus and Kingdom Hearts, the latter of which is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a new fashion collection. The show wraps up with selections from Battlefield 2042, followed by a piece from Dear Esther. A full concert schedule is available on BBC’s events website.
More gaming news
While 2022 has been an off year for the gaming industry with few blockbuster releases, the future is looking bright. Enticing titles such as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Marvel’s Spiderman 2 and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, barring any delays, are all releasing next year. Additionally, an open-world Black Panther title is in the works at EA, while Nacon is bringing back 80s sci-fi with Terminator and Robocop games. Likewise, 2023 will also see the release of season 1 of HBO’s live-action The Last of US series.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
