Combat music

Whilst I am a fan of Arcanum's music, probably its most distinguishing feature, I find the combat music a bit tedious, especially the way it cuts in to the ambient tracks. Is there anyway for the 'normal music' to continue throughtout the combat? (Effectively disabling combat music altogether).

 

I posted the offset in the engine hacks thread some time ago.

 

Yes, I read that post, but didn't understand what it meant until now. That said, I still don't exactly know what this means:

1C4D0:C3

 

I'm sorry, but what is an offset? (Or, where do I type in those numbers)

 

If you don't even know how to use a hex editor, then I can't help you.

 

Oh well, thanks anyway.

 

Google can.

 

I'm just putting this out there...
I don't suppose anyone could upload the hex-edited file which disables combat music?

 

I think everyone else loves the music *noddles*

 

Pretty much. The combat theme was one of the main reasons I tracked down a copy of the soundtrack.

That and the fact that I'm a sucker for strings.

 

If I recall correctly, the combat music opens with 2 seconds of plucked strings, followed by an endless repeating synthesised drone.

 

Synthesized drone? The soundtrack of this game was done completely with a string quartet (or some such)! Surely, this is MADNESS!

I can't help you with your problem, though, as I'm as clueless with hex editors as you are. Sorry.

 

Nice gravedig.

If case you don't know how to disable the combat music using a hex editor, you can use my Arcanum Hacker instead.

 

I suggest you head here and check out the entire score, which Sierra is strangely still hosting (in its entirety) for free download online. AND they provide the scores to boot.

Anyway, the combat track (aka Track 13 aka "Mines") consists of two violins, a viola and a cello. And I happen to think it's pretty kickin' rad. Also, there are actually only 3 tracks in the whole game that use a synthesizer ("Wheel Clan," "The Void" and "Kerghan's Castle").

Sorry to get obsessive but I really loved Arcanum's soundtrack. I wish more games would take chances with their scores and tie them to the game. I can't ever listen to Arcanum's music and think, "Oh hey, that's from Generic Fantasy Game #8!" It's the same with Morrowind. And Grim Fandango.

 

Have to agree with Roke. Arcanum has one of the best sound tracks ever put together for a computer game. Only thing I can think of which even comes close was some of the music files from Masters of Might and Magic 3 and 4, and perhaps some of the music from Civilization.

 

In case there has been any confusion in the matter, the score for Arcanum is easily amongst the best I have heard in a computer game. Nonetheless, I find the combat music to be very weak, and indeed jarring with the rest of the score.

"Mines" is a fine piece, though it is not the track used for combat music. Track 19, "The Wheel Clan" is used instead. Having listened to it again, I admit it consists of more than just the "synthesised drone", nevertheless, I do not like it.

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