This extensive interview with Andrew Hulshult, a prominent video game composer, delves into his career, creative process, and musical influences. From his early work on canceled projects like Duke Nukem 3D Reloaded and Rise of the Triad: 2013, to his acclaimed soundtracks for DOOM Eternal DLC, Nightmare Reaper, and Amid Evil, Hulshult discusses the challenges and rewards of composing for video games.
The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including:
- His career trajectory: Hulshult recounts his unexpected rise to prominence after initially considering leaving the game industry, highlighting the importance of financial stability for artists.
- Misconceptions about video game music: He addresses the common belief that game music is easy, emphasizing the complexities of understanding game design philosophies and effectively communicating musical visions.
- His creative process: Hulshult details his approach to composing for different games, balancing respect for source material with his unique style, and the challenges of working within various stylistic constraints. He discusses specific games like Rise of the Triad: 2013, Bombshell, Nightmare Reaper, and Prodeus, explaining his creative choices and inspirations.
- His gear and equipment: He describes his current guitar setup, pedals, amps, and recording process, providing insights into his sonic preferences and workflow.
- The Amid Evil DLC and family emergency: He shares a personal anecdote about composing the DLC soundtrack during a family emergency, highlighting the emotional impact on his work.
- Working on the Iron Lung film soundtrack: He discusses the differences between composing for film and games, and his experience collaborating with Markiplier.
- His Dusk 82 chiptune album: He reflects on his experience creating this unique album and the challenges of working within the limitations of chiptune technology.
- The DOOM Eternal DLC and IDKFA: He describes the process of creating the official DOOM music, revisiting his IDKFA soundtrack, and the collaborative effort with id Software.
- His musical influences and favorite artists: He shares his favorite bands and artists, both within and outside of the video game industry.
- Hypothetical future projects: He speculates on potential future projects, expressing interest in composing for a Duke Nukem reboot or Minecraft.
The interview concludes with a discussion of his coffee preferences and a reflection on his career journey. The interview is interspersed with embedded YouTube videos showcasing examples of his work.
