The soundtrack for a game can sometimes define its historical value; games with awesome soundtracks stand in the arcades of legendary titles where you could listen to the music all day long, falling in love with every note and instrument. It's not easy finding your way into the hall of fame of video game music; but we've seen a strong trend lately from composers constantly pushing the barrier in quality and creativity when it comes to game soundtracks, and Sarah Schachner's score foris right up there with the best of them.is set during the period of the French Revolution in the 18th century. For the score, Schachner – who previously worked with Brian Tyler on projects such asand Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (to name a few) – managed to tap into a unique mixture of Baroque-classical, synth and electronic themes to bringto life. Gaming Blend had the opportunity to toss a few questions Schachner's way, and here's what she had to say about the creative process for one of the biggest multiplatform games of the year.As soon as I found out it was the French Revolution, I knew it would musically fall within the early Classical period, but they wanted something more distinctive and French than just “classical.” Incorporating some of the Baroque flavors from the previous era worked well for parts of the game taking place at Versailles etc. I wrote a Baroque-inspired combat piece in my initial demo so it was something I was thinking about just by nature of the time period.I grew up playing classical music as well as jazz and rock, so I've been a lifelong appreciator. I've always enjoyed counterpoint composition as well. Bach's Invention #15 in B Minor is one of my favorite pieces to play on the piano. In terms of instrumentation, Jordi Savall's works for viola da gamba inspired me to use a bowed dulcimer, which has a similar sound.Yeah, actually for “Dark Slayer,” they wanted a little bit of that Batman vibe. It's a core fight suite for a certain part of the story that has darker undertones. You're also right about the overall sci-fi/vigilantism theme that carries across the whole series, although the assassins are generally a bit more subdued than super-heroes.

Working previously with Ubisoft on Black Flag and Far Cry 3, it helped in knowing their process and workflow already, but stylistically it didn't affect it much. Black Flag is a pirate adventure in the Caribbean, Unity is in Paris avenging a father's murder and aiding in the revolution along the way - so the musical tones and influences were different even though they both took place in the late 18th century.You are correct. There hasn't been much carry-over of themes within the series, but there is a brief reprise of “Ezio's Family” in “Dark Slayer.” Ubisoft wanted us to incorporate that melody. It was a nice way to give a subtle nod to Jesper's theme that the fans love so much. Other than that, there is quite a bit of freedom to come up with your own themes as long as you stay true to the overall Assassin's Creed vibe - that hybrid of accurate period music and sci-fi elements.Definitely. I wanted to capture both of those aspects at different times. Like the architecture, Baroque music was ornate and heavily ornamented - characteristics which have no place in war, revolt, or poverty. Taking that vibe, and putting it in a combative, action-music context mocks its very essence. There's something a bit humorous and twisted about killing douche-bag aristocrats to aggressive trills and stealthy harpsichord arpeggios. On the other end of the spectrum, a track like “Rather Death Than Slavery” with La Marseillaise echoing over somber synth lines, speaks more to the struggle and revolt of the French people against that culture.While most of the systemic combat suites are scored away from picture and not to any specific scene, there was one particular mission I really enjoyed where you infiltrate a lavish party at Versailles and battle it out in a giant ballroom while a string quartet is on-screen playing. I wrote a fugue-style “combat Invention” for harpsichord and viola (Ballroom Fight [Invention No.13 in D Minor]) which sort of takes over from the period music the quartet is heard playing. I had a lot of fun with that one.You'll have to ask Ubisoft! Outside of video games, I have a sci-fi horror film called Lazarus due out January 2015 starring Olivia Wilde and some dead animals. I'm also working on an electronic side project and will be releasing an EP in the near future.