Mike Shinoda is a founding member of Linkin Park, and was one of the band’s vocalists as well as its primary songwriter, rhythm guitarist, keyboardist and producer. A lifelong videogame fan, he has contributed to game soundtracks and even featured in an 8bit game with his band. When quarantine began earlier this year, Mike began creating music and art live on Twitch in collaboration with his fans, and has recently released the resulting tracks on an album, Dropped Frames, Vol. 1. Here, he talks epic Linkin Park tour-bus Halo sessions, composing with chiptunes, and connecting with fans in the time of Covid.
What were your first memories of getting into videogames?
My parents were in a bowling league. They would meet with their friends and bring the kids and we could go play the arcade games. Once I got the NES, my friends and I, we’d play games and swap them, and we’d beat all of them immediately. Other than drawing, playing videogames was the only thing I did. I drew those characters non-stop. I would draw my own Mega Man enemy characters and levels, take multiple pieces of paper and tape them together and draw out a full level.
Was designing videogames ever a possibility for you?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CHANTS OF SENNAAR
How Babel helped a world of stealth become a world of words
MEGHNA JAYANTH
Around the industry in eight games: one writer's journey through indie to triple-A and back again.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist
Sam Fisher's final outing is also his most enigmatic
Post Script
How low should a boss go?
TWO POINT STUDIOS
How a new studio rose from the ashes of Lionhead success not simulated
RAIDERS OF THE ARCHIVE
Wolfenstein-style shootouts are just a small part of the picture in MachineGames' maximalist Indy game
SPLITGATE 2
If it ain't broke, don't fix Split
KINGDOM COME: DELIVERANCE II
A bigger, better - and funnier Bohemian rhapsody
Narrative Engine
Write it like you stole it
The Outer Limits
Journeys fo the farthest reaches of interactive entertainment