So, I want to submit the sound effects from SpaceChem, and the music and sound effects are clearly separated. However, in the sound effects section, there are four "interludes", each of which is 10-20 seconds long. They're not exactly songs, but they do incorporate what would generally be considered music; multiple instruments, a beat, etc. Kind of like the beginning or end of a song, but without the main body.
Anyway, I was wondering whether these qualify as music or not, and if I should include them in my submission. I'm unsure whether they're in the soundtrack or not, but even if they aren't I still wouldn't be sure. If a sample is needed I can probably temporarily upload one of them and PM the link.
I don't think jingles would count as music, so you should be fine.
Ah, OK. I'll upload the sounds then, and if whoever checks it does think that they count as music they can just reject it and say so.
I don't know, while they aren't full songs they're still short songs, rather than really small tunes that are just a couple seconds long. Take this for example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU9LhnUTQpA
It's even in that game's OST (which btw doesn't include sound effects, obviously) so I guess that's debatable and, imo, I wouldn't include them.
The definition of Sound Effects is quite shady in this point, but jingles should be included in the sound effects archive, preferrably in a folder separated from the rest.
Those sound bits that play when doing small actions (walking, getting coins, winning the level/game) are sound effects (footsteps, blips, fanfares, respectively). In simpler words,
Soundtrack is generally the music or ambient sound whose generating event is the start of the level or screen, or plays randomly without needing an actual action to occur. This covers title music, menu, level themes, cutscenes.
Sound Effect is the music or sound bit whose generating event is a definite game action. Those include sounds generated by the characters/enemies, cursors, fanfares and game over jingles, if they are small and doesn't loop. (think SMB's game over jingle).
tl;dr if it's long and made to be listened for a long time, it's music. If it's short and made to be listened occasionally, it's sound effect.
Well, by your definition, these seem to come under sound effects. There are four, and they each play at a different event:
- When you complete a regular level
- At the start of a boss level
- When you fail a boss level
- When you complete a boss level
If anybody wants to check though, I've already uploaded them
here. Each of their names begins with "interlude".