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RootWare.dll's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Creativity | #6 | 4.424 | 4.424 |
| Impression | #11 | 4.242 | 4.242 |
| Overall | #15 | 4.242 | 4.242 |
| Quality | #23 | 4.333 | 4.333 |
| Composition | #37 | 4.182 | 4.182 |
| Correlation to theme | #67 | 4.030 | 4.030 |
Ranked from 33 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Description
It is an semi-ambient soundtrack with elements of 9-bit mixed in.
RootWare.dll is a benevolent virus that simulates a forest ecosystem on whatever machines it infects. It is an interactive ecosystem, though, so infected users can explore and manipulate the glades and depths it generates.
There is an old tree at the root of it all. A powerful tree that dreams of life...
Per track story descriptions on the Itch project page.
I was going for the melding of digital and organic. I went to various parks and locations in my local area to capture nature sounds (birds, bugs, wind, etc.) to use as the baseline of each of the tracks. From there, I chose several acoustic (virtual) instruments and synthesized some realistic-ish sounds (marimba, a few bell sounds). I dropped in the occasional chiptune blip to remind the listener that this is, in fact, all a simulation. For most of the percussion, I sampled an assortment of sticks and rocks that I picked up around the area. The vocals for DreamTree.sys were recorded.
Made in Reaper. Important instruments/effects: VCV Rack, Orchestra Tools SINE, Spitfire Audio LABS, Reaper effects collection. The vocals on DreamTree.sys were recorded by my friends tyrnica and lyrasnap.
Theme
How does it fit the theme?
The premise of the soundtrack is that there is a simulated world that is teeming with life. This world is maintained by a virus that really doesn't want to cause any trouble but merely wants to cultivate life and share it with users.
The virus is largely embodied by a tree that controls most of the simulation. This tree has some form of consciousness and a desire to observe and relate to human users.
Link(s) of the submission on streaming services
https://voxelith.bandcamp.com/album/rootware-dll
https://soundcloud.com/voxelith/sets/rootwaredll
Number of tracks6
Genre
Soundtrack use permission
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Comments
The percussion and groove in NatureInit.exe is so good! and I love how the flutes mimic the computer beeping, that was really clever. I really like your use of mallets too (I am totally not biased as someone who used to play mallet percussion). The vocals in DreamTree.sys are great, the combination of glitch, synth, and orchestral is really cool and perfectly matches the vibe you're going for. Great work!
I'm always interested in something that goes for a theme of melding or conflict between technology and organic life so I was excited for this one before I even hit play.
I think you managed to convey that idea really nicely through the sound selection you describe in the description as well as making the different sound palettes work together in a way that they each complement and play to each others' strengths really well.
Some really nice sound design on some of the synths too, as well as doing a great job bending the stick and rock sounds into percussion.
Great variety of different moods that all feel like part of one coherent soundtrack too.
Not really about the music per se but I also like the decision to name each track like it's a file type.
I love the ambient background sounds you used in these tracks, a lot of these remind me of Donkey Kong Country and Terraria. :) I think this is definitely my favorite submission in the jam so far.
What a surprise !!! Great Sound design and mix. Really cool approach.
Flora and Fauna is so uplifting ;) Love how you merge acoustic and electronic.
This is a really well producing overall ^^
Thank you!
This is tight! One of the more original entries I've come across - you've got a very distinct sound and approach to layering. A lot of vibey, ambient goodness to be found in these tracks. Good production and mixing, too - getting all these elements to sit comfortably in a mix is a feat. The theming of the track titles is clever, too!
I think my favorite is caught between DreamTree.sys and RE_grets - I am a sucker for ambience and these two call out to me. Great work all around with this, for real. Best of luck!
Thanks! I really enjoyed producing DreamTree.sys, especially since I managed to do a recording session for the vocals.
i love the texture that the percussion elements have
very creative idea, cool cover art, delightful melodies and just a well put together soundtrack overall, great job
Thanks! The percussion elements were a lot of fun. I recorded a bunch of sticks and rocks in stereo to get those sounds.
This is so so so good.
Hey! So cool to have sound recording from your place :)
The mix between chips sounds and others instruments is really well made i think! It feels like it could be heard in a modern indie game. There's a real vibe and some catchy mélodies and basslines.
I liked your chord progressions as well.
This ost is cohesive ans has an identity. Truly well made mate ! :)
Thanks so much!
(Properly reformatted repost of track descriptions from the project page)
NatureInit.exe (Main Theme)
Why is there moss growing in my recycle bin??
Wait. Maybe it’s that nature sim Cody loaned me yesterday. What if I just...?
RootWare.dll is a benevolent virus that has just showed up on your PC. It seems to be simulating a complex ecosystem, at least if Task Manager is to be believed. Of course, you could just launch RootPortal.exe to check out what’s using all that CPU.
FloraAndFauna.zip
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think those frogs were real.
DreamTree.sys
I’ve been here a while.
The luminous tree in the clearing regards you with majestic calm. Or does it? You can’t quite tell if it is fully sentient. But one thing is certain. It’s been controlling this place for a long time.
H0mew0xk_90192.doc
What’s happened to my homework!??
It seems that RootWare.dll has been “evolving” a bit too enthusiastically. Your documents… aren’t quite what they were. Maybe you should run antivirus software.
Are those vines growing out of my computer case?
Nightfall.bat
The nights here are exceptionally serene.
Even at night, this place teems with life. You’ve grown attached to this place of calm.
Too bad it’ll have to go.
RE:grets (Credits)
I’m sorry I had to do it. But I knew it’d understand.
The big tree just kinda stood there. Didn’t show any visible signs that it was listening, but it was. It’s weird for a virus to be non-malicious. And I guess it’s basically intelligent, given its response.
The uninstaller worked flawlessly. All the drivers and system files were restored. It even ran data recovery on my corrupted files. It’s… as if it’d never been there.
I kinda wish it’d left some trace because I’m gonna miss it all, the forest and everything.
But maybe RootWare.dll is out there somewhere. Maybe it’ll be back.
Maybe sometime.
Hi voxelith! Absolutely love the quality of all of these tracks, my fav was definitely "Nightfall.bat", it was really gorgeous (as well as "RE:grets"). Theme is also super creative, and the aesthetic of the cover art and music go perfectly with each other. Happy to have listeneded to this!