About the Client
Tavern Squad is an indie game studio creating Ale & Axes, a fantasy RPG universe with a focus on NFT collectibles and immersive world-building. The game's landscape is inspired by classic RPGs and features mythical creatures, legendary quests, and a medieval atmosphere.
The Project
We were invited to create a soundtrack to anchor the world of Ale & Axes—one that blends traditional Celtic influence with cinematic flavour. The project called for bespoke music, sound design, and complete audio production, bringing depth and flexibility to the game's diverse settings, from a bustling tavern to shadowy dungeons.
Our Approach
For the central Tavern Theme, we developed a melody that draws from the soul of Celtic music. This core theme was performed by violinist Jasper van Rosmalen of the Metropole Orchestra, whose expressive style brought authenticity and richness to the piece. Incorporating traditional Irish instruments such as flutes and bouzouki, layered with percussion, we built a detailed, immersive soundscape that places the player at the heart of the tavern.
"The piece was infused with traditional Irish instruments, like Irish flutes and a bouzouki combined with percussion to create a rich layered sound."
As players move through darker game environments, the soundtrack shifts. The Dungeon Theme uses the same melodic core, now reimagined with powerful drums, dramatic staccato strings, and a bolder, more intense character. Cellist Jonas Pap contributed rhythmic, driving lines, helping to propel the narrative forward. By adapting instrumentation and texture while retaining the signature melody, we achieved a dynamic score that remains cohesive across game moments.
"Both pieces, though different in tone and energy, are connected by the central melody, which became the heart of the soundtrack."
Variations of this theme recur in the menu, peaceful interludes, and climactic scenes, shaping the player's emotional journey while maintaining a unified sonic identity.
Why?
A unified and intentional sound world does more than accompany a game—it becomes an agent of storytelling on its own. Consistent melodic identity helps anchor memorable player experiences and bridges transitions between moods and environments. Sound, composed with care and cultural resonance, forms an integral layer in immersive world-building, allowing players to feel present within the story.
