The Ultimate Playlist for Games Night

There’s no denying that music is an integral part of the game-playing experience. Whether you’re fighting through hordes of enemies in a first-person shooter or trying to outsmart a field of opponents in an online poker tourney, the right soundtrack can help you get in the zone and even keep you motivated to achieve your gaming goals.

In this article, we’ll be discussing the perfect music playlist for a night of gaming, whether you’re prepping for a future eSports career with the latest FPS or MOBA games or taking in a few rounds of Texas Hold ’em on the PokerStars platform. If you want to create the ultimate gaming playlist, here are the tracks you should add today.

Motivation for Long-Haul Gaming  

Let’s start with the highly popular FPS genre. First-person shooters like Call of Duty and Battlefield require fast-paced, intense music that will keep you motivated and engaged. Gaming sessions in such games can last for hours, so it’s important to have the right tunes on in the background.

A great song to add to your playlist is Eminem’s Till I Collapse, featuring Nate Dogg. With its pounding beat and motivational lyrics, it’s the perfect track to get you fired up and ready to take on your opponents.

Another track to add is The Pretender by Foo Fighters. Another track with a driving drumbeat, its powerful guitar riffs will also keep you energised during even the longest gaming sessions.

For those who prefer more tactical, strategy-based games like Civilization or XCOM, a more subdued soundtrack would be the perfect accompaniment. Ambient or electronic music can be a great choice for these types of games since they create a calm atmosphere that won’t distract you from your strategic planning. While we wouldn’t ordinarily categorise Nine Inch Nails as calming, the track A Warm Place actually features gentle piano and ambient soundscapes, creating a tranquil atmosphere for strategic gaming.

If you’re a fan of the infinitely popular Grand Theft Auto series, you’ll want to choose music that matches the fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled nature of these games. Tracks with a strong beat and plenty of energy are ideal, especially if you choose from pop classics. The Snap! track The Power is perfect, especially with that iconic chorus and driving bassline.

Focused Tunes for Focus Poker

Playing online poker is just as popular with modern gamers as playing RPG games or exploring open-world environments. However, this is a game that requires a different kind of focus than other video games. Rather than relying on reflexes and following a game narrative, poker is a game that requires strategic thinking, patience and exceptional decision-making.

As such, the perfect music playlist for online poker should be calm and unobtrusive, allowing you to focus on the game without any distractions. It’s no wonder, then, that classical music is a popular choice for many poker pros. Clair de Lune by Claud Debussy is a serenely beautiful piece of music that’s perfect for creating a focused atmosphere.

Of course, it’s not just classical music that’s great to add to your poker gaming list; there are plenty of other options to choose from. Jazz music can be a great choice if you’re playing poker online since its various rhythms and improvised sections will keep you alert and fire up your synapses. And no, you don’t need to be a jazz fiend to enjoy a few tracks; Take Five by Dave Brubeck and Miles Davis’ Blue in Green are two easily accessible tracks that will create the perfect atmosphere for poker.

Alternatively, there are quite a few songs out there that either feature poker or are inspired by card gaming. Lady Gaga’s Poker Face and Motorhead’s Ace of Spades are two of the most obvious, but did you know that Juice Newton’s Queen of Hearts and Ray Charles’ Losing Hand are also inspired by the discipline?

Conclusion 

When it comes to crafting the perfect playlist, it’s important to take into account the type of game you’re playing and the atmosphere you want to create. Fast-paced action games need tracks with a strong beat, while strategic games work best with ambient or instrumental tracks. Plus, if you’re playing games with friends, you might need to take their preferences into account too.