Might & Magic Music Interview with Rob King

Garrett, 2002-06-27

We had the pleasure to do an email interview with Rob King, who did the music for the recent Might & Magic games, which at least the author of these lines enjoys very much! Rob answered all kinds of questions for us and I really hope, we will hear more of him in the future! And on with the interview...

Rob, you are not with 3DO/NWC any more. Why did they let you go? Or did you want to leave the company?

Rob: I was with New World Computing for 8 years and really enjoyed working with all the great people there. I was laid off in April along with most of New Word for financial reasons and cut backs from our parent company 3DO.

RPGDot: Please tell us of your career development. What did you do before working for 3DO/NWC and how did you get to 3DO/NWC? For which games did you do the soundtrack?

Rob: I started writing songs at the age of 14 and was in various different local bands. Before NWC I just finished college and was working at a record store when an old friend from college came in and said he was working at NWC and they were looking for a "Sound Guy." I new I could do it, I just needed a shot. He got me an interview with Mark Caldwell (Former NWC V.P.) and we really hit it off. So there I was and stayed for 8 straight years. It was an incredible learning experience.

The first title I did music for was Zephyr and Heroes of Might & Magic 1. I have done all the sound for all the NWC games for that 8 year run including all the Heroes of Might & Magic Games as well as Might & Magic VI -IX with help from my friends and colleagues Paul Romero & Steve Baca. Steve is also in my group Red Delicious (Extasy/Warner Bros.) and Paul does all of our string arrangements.

RPGDot: What are you doing now - working for another company or concentrating on your private music career?

Rob: I am not working for anyone at the moment, though I am always open to offers. :)
At this time I am concentrating on finishing up my CD with Red Delicious (www.mp3.com/RedDelicious) as well as working as an independent contractor. We have a couple projects on the table so it isn't to bad. I have also had my Recording Studio for about 7 years now and that keeps me busy as well.

RPGDot: What is your favourite game in the Might & Magic universe regarding its music (both MM and HoMM)?

Rob: I would have to say it is a tie between Heroes of Might & Magic II & IV. We worked really hard on those and I think it shows.

RPGDot: How do you record the Soundtracks? (i.e. with a Full Orchestra, or Midi-Machines or a mix of the above or ...)

Rob: Well that usually depends on the budgets. Mostly we record everything with a combination of Samplers and live instruments. We start with the basic arrangement on samplers then go in an overdub all the live stuff as well as vocals on occasion.

RPGDot: How did composing the music for the MM games work? Were you told to do a combat theme for example or did you have the freedom to do what you want?

Rob: Every Producer and designer has something in mind. We often get a request for certain things like 3 combat songs and 6 town themes. As far as composing goes we mostly have 100% creative control. There are guidlines for "styles" that someone may want and it is pretty easy to get what they are thinking. For example "Dark and ominous with evil undertones" I usually set up the creepy strings, Choir Pads and "scary" brass stuff...You get the picture...

RPGDot: Would you like to do the soundtrack for a movie one day or is there a movie you would have liked to compose songs for?

Rob: I would love to do a film. Steve, Paul and I always talk about doing one. I would love to do a David Fincher film. That guy is just oozing with creative juices.

RPGDot: Do you play Computer Games yourself? Tell us of your Top 5 Game Hitlist.

Rob: oh yes...I love to play games. In fact I have owned just about every console since and including the Atari 2600 (which I still have bye the way). Remember the Odyssey Colecovision and the Vectrex? Had those too....Top five huh? That could be tough because times change and technology up's the ante on gameplay..I would have to go with:
1. Diablo (Spent many all nighters on this one)
2. Command & Conquer (See 1)
3. Heroes of Might & Magic 2 (See 1)
4. Asteroids ( Still a great game to this day)
5. Breakout (I love this one too. It's always in the gameboy)

I have to admit I just got Medal of Honor:Frontline for the PS2 and this game is amazing!! Hat's off to the sound guys on this one. This game is seriously good and very fun.

RPGDot: And what are your musical sources? Who do you listen to? What are your favourite albums?

Rob:Now this is a tough question...I have about 5,000 cd's or more..I buy them just about every week and it is really tough to even think about a top ten. But I would have to say U2:Joshua Tree & All Things..., Radiohead: The Bends * OK Computer, The Verve: Urban Hymns and Unkle are among the top favorites. I also listen to alot of scores as well. I think anything by John Williams is pretty amazing I really like The Lord of the Rings, Gladiator and The Last of the Mohicans scores as well. I like to soak it all up.

RPGdot: Thanks a lot and best wishes for your future!

Rob: Thank you for this wonderful interview. Don't forget to look for my CD later this year Red Delicious on Extasy/Warner Bros. www.RedDelcious.net.
Take Care guys!