RuneScape’s record-breaking library of original music to be officially released for the very first time
New orchestral music and classic tracks from Jagex’s iconic MMORPGs head to vinyl, CD & digital via a new partnership with Laced Records.
Watch “RuneScape: The Road to Harmony”, featuring The Philharmonia Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, here: https://youtu.be/NSnG4UuVx7o
Friday 14th September 2018, Cambridge, UK – For the very first time, iconic music from both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape has been officially released to stream and purchase, publisher Jagex announced today. Thanks to a new partnership with Laced Records, two albums – RuneScape: The Orchestral Collection and RuneScape: Original Soundtrack Classics – are available digitally right now and are open for pre-order on CD and double deluxe vinyl albums.
Featuring music rearranged by BAFTA award-winning composer James Hannigan (Harry Potter, Command & Conquer, Dead Space 3) and performed by The Philharmonia Orchestra at the world-renowned Abbey Road Studios in December 2017 and by the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra in Bratislava in 2012, RuneScape: The Orchestral Collection takes listeners on a classical journey to the fantasy world of Gielinor. The tracks from the Abbey Road sessions are all new compositions or new arrangements of classic tracks, with many making their debut on the album.
RuneScape: Original Soundtrack Classics takes a much more nostalgic journey through some of the most loved tracks from Old School RuneScapeand the early days of RuneScape. The vinyl album is arranged to follow the first journey a player might have taken through Gielinor. The CD and digital versions include an incredible 19 bonus tracks, bursting with player favourites that would have been wrong to leave out. Pre-ordering the vinyl versions will also unlock digital copies, allowing people to enjoy their favourite tracks without delay!
RuneScape currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most original pieces of music in a video game (including expansions), with 1,198 tracks (July 2017). This figure has been growing ever since the game’s release in 2001, and in the last 12 months alone swelled to 1,228 tracks. Jagex’s partnership with Laced is a direct response to an online poll in 2017 that saw over 15,000 members of the RuneScape community overwhelmingly tell Jagex how much they wanted to see this library of music released, as well as what their favourite tracks are.
Additional music from the library are planned for release in themed collections over the coming months, beginning with two further soundtrack albums from RuneScape available digitally today RuneScape: The Arc and RuneScape: Menaphos.
“Jagex has an open dialogue with its community, involving players in how we develop the game and listening to what they have to say,” said Guy Pearce, Director of Brand and Creative Production.
“The community has been telling us for a long time that RuneScape’s music is, for many, the soundtrack to their youth and that they would like it to be more easily available. So, we’re thrilled to be able to make original, current and classical versions of some of their favourite tracks available for them to listen to where, when and how they want. This includes new previously unheard arrangements by James Hannigan, recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra at Abbey Road last year.
“Holding the Guinness World Record for most original pieces of music in a video game is a huge source of pride for Jagex. Together these releases show the extent of the musical journey we have been on and we hope past, current and future players will enjoy them.”
Pre-Order via Laced Records:
North America: http://www.lacedrecords.com
ROW: http://www.lacedrecords.co
Available Formats:
RuneScape: The Orchestral Collection
Deluxe Double Vinyl: 26 tracks pressed on 180g black vinyl, packaged in a deluxe gatefold sleeve featuring brand new artwork (RRP: €33.00)
Deluxe Double CD: Presented in deluxe packaging featuring 33 tracks (RRP: €14.00)
Digital Download / Streaming: 33 tracks available to download or stream from all major retailers (RRP Varies)
RuneScape: Original Soundtrack Classics
Deluxe Double Vinyl: 24 tracks pressed on 180g red vinyl, packaged in a deluxe gatefold sleeve featuring brand new artwork (RRP: €33.00)
Deluxe Double CD: Presented in deluxe packaging featuring 43 tracks (RRP: €14.00)
Digital Download / Streaming: 43 tracks available to download or stream from all major retailers (RRP Varies)
RuneScape: The Arc
Digital Download / Streaming: 20 tracks available to download or stream from all major retailers (RRP Varies)
RuneScape: Menaphos
Digital Download / Streaming: 32 tracks available to download or stream from all major retailers (RRP Varies)
