Cover image for "After Dark: Mars Mission OST"

After Dark: Mars Mission OST

After Dark: Mars Mission is a game we created for Indie Spain Jam 2023. In addition to my role as a developer, I took on a new challenge: composing the soundtrack — my very first experience making music (and sound) for a game.

If you haven’t yet, I recommend checking out this article about the game for more context.

OST Video

Here’s the full soundtrack of the game. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed creating it:

Play

My Musical Background

I’ve been studying music since I was a child. I started with piano, then moved on to trombone, playing in a band, and eventually enrolled in music school. However, balancing music with my Software Engineering career eventually became too demanding, so I had to step away from formal studies — though I’ve continued learning on my own ever since.

What has always fascinated me most about music is theory. While many students are drawn to performance, I was always more interested in how music works — the underlying “recipes” behind it. I love how music theory gives you tools to create something meaningful, and how sometimes even breaking the rules can still lead to beautiful results.

For a long time, I had the lingering feeling of never having composed anything seriously. This project gave me the perfect excuse to finally dive in and do it.

Tools and Process

I used Reaper as my Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and recorded the music using a MIDI keyboard and my microphone. I also used a variety of plugins, including some free ones, to enhance the sound. The main instruments I used were:

  • BBC Symphony Orchestra

  • Spitfire Labs for some spacial and atmospheric music and ambience.

  • An electric pencil sharpener for the sound of the robot engine (yes, you read that right!).

  • A piece of paper for the sound of the cards being selected in the game.

Challenges and Learning

The biggest challenge was learning how to use the tools effectively. I had to figure out how to make the music sound good, how to mix it properly, and how to create a cohesive soundtrack that fit the game’s atmosphere.

I also had to learn how to work with the game developers to ensure the music fit well with the game’s mechanics and visuals. This was a new experience for me, but it was incredibly rewarding to see how the music enhanced the overall experience of the game.

Final Thoughts

Composing the soundtrack for After Dark: Mars Mission was a challenging but rewarding experience. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to explore a new creative outlet. I’m grateful to the team for trusting me with this task and for the opportunity to contribute to the game in a meaningful way.

If you’re interested in game development or music composition, I highly recommend giving it a try. It’s a fantastic way to learn and grow as a developer and musician.