🎵 The Music of Genshin Impact: How the Soundtrack That Captivated Millions Was Created 🎶
The soundtrack of Genshin Impact is not just background noise—it’s an essential part of Teyvat’s world. In this article, we’ll uncover the secrets behind its creation, as shared by the composers of HOYO-MiX, Yu-Peng Chen and Zoe Cai.
🎼 From Idea to Orchestra: The Evolution of the Main Theme The game’s main theme went through dozens of versions before reaching its final form:
Version 0: A simple piano melody, tested for memorability and potential for variations.
Version 3: An Irish whistle was added—played by Yu-Peng Chen himself—to capture the spirit of adventure.
Final Version: Recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The piano was replaced with a harp, and female vocals were added to give the melody an epic quality.
Interestingly, the night theme for the login screen originally featured meaningless "psalms," but these were later replaced with soft "Oohs" to better harmonize with the mysterious atmosphere.
🌍 Music as a Reflection of Teyvat’s Cultures Each region in the game has its own unique sonic landscape:
Mondstadt: Orchestral music with accents on flute and harp, recorded in London to evoke European medieval vibes.
Liyue: Chinese-inspired melodies featuring the erhu and pipa. Fun fact: the music actually inspired the final design of the city!
Inazuma: Japanese instruments like the koto and shakuhachi, paired with sharp rhythms that emphasize the region’s conflict.
For Sumeru, the composers studied Indian talas and Middle Eastern melodies, and future regions promise even more cultural references.
🎻 Battle Music: Emotion Over Clichés The track "Dvalin’s Wrath" (the battle against Dvalin) is an example of unconventional approach. Instead of typical "combat" music, the composers focused on the dragon’s tragic story:
The track features hidden vocals by Yu-Peng Chen—he performed the part himself to heighten the emotional impact.
The shifts between furious chords and lyrical moments symbolize Dvalin’s struggle against his curse.
🔮 Serendipity and Coincidences One of the most famous tracks—the music for the "Lantern Rite" trailer—was originally composed as background music for Liyue. But when it was accidentally paired with footage of fireworks and the Skybracer, it became a masterpiece, perfectly capturing the festive spirit.
🎹 What Lies Ahead? The release version of the Wolvendom music will feature choral singing.
The team continues to collaborate with world-class orchestras, including the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.
Conclusion The music of Genshin Impact is a bridge between the player and Teyvat.
