One thing I thought was incredibly funny (and frustrating) in Oblivion was walking along the beach a hearing this music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOi-GkNWsYQ

I would tense up and look around frantically. My heart pumping wildly. Sweat running down my face. Tears swell up in my eyes. I'm practically on my knees trying to find out where the enemy is...



But then I look down and it's only a Mudcrab. :banghead:


My point is, don't you think they should have a little less dramatic music when "weaker" creatures are nearby?

*PS: Sorry if this has already been covered.

I'm willing to manipulate the question altogether. Should they play music at all when enemies are nearby?

I always thought it was a little cheap. It instantly gives away that an enemy is nearby; I want to be surprised.

I completely agree... but it was hilarious. :rofl:

I'd also like it if they timed the danger music so that it only comes on once the combat has actually been initiated by physical contact, or if the enemy has been spotted and is acting aggressive (but play NOTHING danger specific for mudcrabs, rats, and other mild creatures).

I agree. The music had a few issues being overplayed at some points. I would like some sort of solution, but here is mine.

1.) Combat music does not play until you have actually engaged the enemy.
2.) Before playing the music, the game gauges the threat and plays either appropriate music or no music at all.
3.) When it does play, unless the enemy is epic enough, it doesn't start with resounding music but starts low and builds as the fight progresses.

I expect Bethesda to plagiarize http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=26892

I'm fine with epic music being used but maybe have the music start when the character hit.

On a side note, Oblivion's music was just epic and the best OST in the series. I'm looking forward to the OST of Skyrim but I don't know if it will be as epic as Oblivion's music.

Ooh, I forgot about that mod. Yes, I agree, Bethesda should make music management more complex than in Oblivion. That mod is a great example of what I would like to see. In fact, my suggestion might have been unconsciously based on it, if it is the one I used a while ago.

If the music in the Skyrim trailer is any indication, I'd say it's going to be much better, but we shall see. Also, although I've never actually played Morrowind, I definitely like that theme better than Oblivion's. In fact, I think it'd be pretty cool if they brought it back as exploration music or something... though it may not fit with what they're trying to do.

And yeah, that mod seems like a good fix.

Why does there have to be combat music, ok maybe for specific enemies

this, as good as the music is, i turn it of for this reason

Morrowind's theme > anything on Oblivion's soundtrack, but the average song from Oblivion was definitely better than the average Morrowind track. Skyrim's theme > both though, so I've got my fingers crossed.

You know what I usually do on my games for this kind of problems? Move the "battle music" files to another folder, then put it "silent track" files in their place (renamed accordingly, of course). Feels properly intense enough when the usual ambience music suddenly vanishes as you're facing a though adversary, yet feels comical enough when a sorry mudcrab try to poke its way to your feet.