I don’t know if you realized this, but every year Bree asks me to whip up a column of MMO holiday tunes for Christmas. Every year. And I do so each December, despite telling her with a cracked voice that there are only so many songs out there.
“More, you sniveling wretch!” she cries to me with a voice like thunder. “You can find more! ALL THE CHRISTMAS SONGS!”
Hunched and cowering, I do my best. It was easy in 2015, and not that hard in 2016 either. But I felt the strain of the search in 2017, and 2018 nearly broke me entirely. I wasn’t sure if I could hold on for another year. My therapist and sherpa both advised me to flee the country and assume a new name and life elsewhere. But there was a glimmer of hope in me that maybe, just maybe, I could pull it off one more time.
So you go ahead and drink that egg nog while listening to these songs, ignoring the manic giggles that emerge from my twitching form as I start to scan YouTube for 2020’s offerings…
“Violet’s First Adventure” from RuneScape
The Violet series of Christmas quest tracks may be among my all-time favorite from this game. It’s so warm and cheery, especially when it explodes in exuberant celebration.
“Rainbows” from Star Trek Online
Star Trek Online is not a game I usually go to if I’m looking for good (or even listenable) music, but this trippy, etheral theme from the winter event has always enchanted me. It rides on a wave of choral bliss, followed by a simple yet happy electronic melody.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78oylJNHkDI
“Christmas” from Ran Online
Check out someone having way too much fun with a synth while playing “Jingle Bells.” Hey, those alternative settings have to be good for something, right?
“Christmas Village Race” from Star Stable
Everyone’s favorite pony MMO delivers a rather stirring holiday tune that could well double as an action track. It certainly doesn’t want to sit still for very long, as it dances — or should I say, prances — along for a merry ride.
“Christmas Login” from MapleStory 2
How do you put a finger on this track? It’s a mixture of Christmas, bubbles, and alien notes, resulting in a hallowed and mellow login theme that isn’t quite like anything you’ve ever heard. I really dig it.
“Winterfest” from WildStar
Jeff Kurtenacker’s amazing WildStar score included over 17 minutes of Christmas tunes for the WinterFest holiday. It’s just as amazing as you might expect, a mini-album of chipper carols and sleigh bells all set on a far-away world.
MOP’s 2017 Christmas Album
As per tradition, we have to close with MJ’s famous Christmas album from 2017. Bask in the dancing light of the fireplace and enjoy 47 minutes of our resident opera singer belting out Christmas carols.
MMOs are meant to be heard as well as seen, and chances are that music ties your memories to these games more than you might realize. Every two weeks Jukebox Heroes listens through a game soundtrack and picks out the highlights to share and discuss. And if you like this column, then don’t miss the author’s MMO music podcast, Battle Bards!
