Gaming content is one of the most popular forms of online media today. Millions of creators are publishing gaming videos across platforms like YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and social media every day. While gameplay is the main focus, music plays a crucial role in setting the scene and shaping the viewer experience.

The right music can add excitement, build atmosphere, and keep audiences engaged. In this post we will help guide you through the process of choosing and implementing the perfect music for your gaming videos.

Common music mistakes in gaming videos and avoiding them.

One of the most common mistakes gaming creators make is using popular commercial music without permission. Even short clips can trigger automated copyright detection systems, leading to copyright claims or strikes.

Check the license

The first thing to do is to read the license for the video game as some game companies allow you to publish game footage using the music. For example Minecraft allows you to fully monitize gameplay footage including music. If however permission is not granted in the game licence then you have a couple of other options. Many

Fair use

The first is to argue fair use. To stand a chance, however, in arguing fair use it’s important that you reference and coment on the music in the video. This could be in the form of a critique or by breaking down and discussing the intrumentation. Having to consider this in your videos as wll as arguing the claims as they come in is obviously not ideal and can be time consuming.


Also, creators often forget that livestreams and video-on-demand content are treated differently by platforms. Music that seems fine during a live broadcast on Twitch may later cause issues when the stream is archived or repurposed for other platforms.

Royalty free

So, the safest route to take is to mute the gameplay music and add your own royalty free music choices. There are many platforms offering great royalty free licensed music such as ours at RouteNote Licensing. By taking this route you free yourself up to complete your missions. It also allows you to give your game content a more personalised original feel as you curate your own original soundtracks.

Choosing music for different types of gaming content

Different gaming formats benefit from different musical approaches. Its important tha you choose the right style of music for the content so it doesn’t distract from the gameplay.

Let’s Plays and Walkthroughs
this style of video tends to be commentary-driven. Music should therefore be subtle and supportive. Subtle instrumental background tracks work best, allowing dialogue and in-game audio to remain clear and natural.

Montages and Highlight Reels
Fast-paced edits and action-heavy clips benefit from energetic music with stronger rhythms. Vocal tracks can work for these. Matching beats with visual cuts can significantly increase the impact of a montage.

Livestreams and VODs
Loop-friendly tracks are ideal for livestreams, helping maintain atmosphere without becoming repetitive.

Game Trailers and Indie Promotions
Trailers often work well with cinematic or atmospheric music to support the narrative and emotion. Music is a great tool to help communicate genre, tone, and excitement in a short amount of time.

Matching music to gameplay and mood

Music should always complement the gameplay rather than overpower it. High-tempo tracks suit fast-paced shooters, racers or competitive gameplay. Story-driven or exploration-based games work better with more ambient or cinematic music choices.

When editing gameplay footage consider how the music supports the emotional flow of your video. Match the music mood to whats going on on screen. Rising intensity can build anticipation, while quieter sections can give viewers time to breathe. Select and use different tracks throughout the content each matching the feel of whats happening on screen. Just be sure the music links are smooth and not jarring or abrupt, unless using deliberately as an effect. Adjusting music volume is another technique that allows you to enhance immersion without competing with sound effects or voiceovers.

Sourcing great gameplay music

One of the easiest ways to source suitable music is by using the game’s existing soundtrack as a guide. If the in-game music works really well, look for royalty free tracks with a similar feel i.e genre, mood, or energy. This helps your added music feel consistent with the gameplay.

Most royalty free music platforms offer advanced search tools that make this process easier. Searching by genre, mood, tempo, or instrument type allows creators to narrow down tracks quickly and efficiently. For example, filtering by “electronic,” “ambient,” or “cinematic” can help match common gaming styles, while tempo filters are useful for matching the pace of the gameplay.

Playlists and curated collections are another valuable source of inspiration. Many platforms group tracks by theme, style, or use case. This makes it easier to discover music that works well for gaming content without having to start from scratch.

Finally, choose music you genuinely enjoy. Your music choices are a reflection of your personality as a gamer and creator. Using tracks you like helps create a stronger connection between you, your content, and your audience.

Why RouteNote Licensing is ideal for gaming content creators

RouteNote Licensing offers a simple, affordable solution for gaming creators who need safe, professional music and sound effects. We offer full, unlimited access to our extensive music library for only $4.99 per month, making RouteNote Licensing the lowest-cost subscription based production music provider online.

Our catalogue includes music suited to all types of gaming content, from subtle background tracks to high-energy action music and cinematic compositions. All tracks are cleared for monetised use across platforms, helping creators avoid copyright claims and restrictions. Click on this link to check out one of our gaming based collections: https://licensing.routenote.com/collection/royalty-free-game-music

In addition to music, RouteNote Licensing also provides a sound effect sudscription, making it easy to enhance edits, transitions, and UI moments without sourcing assets elsewhere. Our straightforward licensing model means no hidden fees, no complicated terms, and long-term peace of mind.

Final tips for using music effectively in gaming videos

Here are some final tips to make your music selections and use as thrilling as the gameplay.

  • Always balance music carefully with gameplay audio and commentary. Use automation for this.
  • Avoid overusing music in every moment; silence and natural sound can be just as effective.
  • Help to build tension and drama with your music choices gradually increasing the tempo, intensity and energy of the music
  • Don’t be scared to flip the rules and use unexpected music choices. The juxtaposition can be effective and provide comedic value or originality to your content.
  • Choose loop-friendly tracks where possible, especially for long gameplay sessions or livestreams, so music can repeat smoothly.
  • Keep music consistent across a series or channel to help establish a recognisable sound and reinforce your identity and brand as a creator.
  • Think long-term when choosing music, selecting tracks you won’t tire of quickly. Trending styles and genres can seem outdated quickly. Think timeless music.

Summary

Ultimately, the choice is yours. Music in gaming videos can be more complex than in many other types of content, with different licensing terms to consider and platform-specific rules to navigate.

Where permitted, using a game’s original soundtrack can be the obvious choice. However, for software companies with more restrictive licenses, creators are often left choosing between disputing copyright claims under fair use (which are not always upheld) or taking the simpler, safer route of using pre-cleared royalty free music. Whichever approach you choose, make sure your content makes it to the next level.

Stop risking your channel’s revenue and momentum on a flawed system.

RouteNote Licensing guarantees that the music you license is protected from Content ID claims, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating great content.

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