This summer, I have resolved to listen to more video game music. I’ve moved away from streaming platforms for my music, focusing on my self-hosted music library instead. The problem with this is discovery is difficult when you are self-hosting your own music streaming library.

The first step I made was to check my Steam Library for soundtracks I may unknowingly have bought as part of a deluxe game version somewhere along the line. Fortunately, I found two soundtracks: Celeste and Cyberpunk 2077.

I’ve added these to my library, but I still need more. Where can I find a curated list of music from video games? It turns out the answer is in podcast format.

I’ve recently been checking out a podcast called BGMania. It’s a podcast that plays music from a whole range of video games, with two enthusiastic hosts showing great knowledge of the music, and the games. It’s been a fun listen so far.

What strikes me is the sheer amount and range of video game music out there. In a way, it reminds me of rock bands. There’s an elite tier who are famous around the world, a middle tier of semi-popular ones or those that have cult status, then a tier of undiscovered gems from people I’ve never heard of.