Game Insights: Andrew Hulshult on DOOM, DUSK, Music, and More

This extensive interview with Andrew Hulshult, a prominent video game composer, delves into his career, creative process, and personal preferences. It covers a wide range of topics, from his early work on canceled projects like Duke Nukem 3D Reloaded and Rise of the Triad: 2013 to his more recent contributions to highly acclaimed titles such as DOOM Eternal DLC, Nightmare Reaper, Amid Evil, and Prodeus.

The conversation explores Hulshult's evolution as a musician, the misconceptions surrounding video game music, and the unique challenges of composing for different game genres. He discusses his creative process for various soundtracks, highlighting the balance between respecting source material and injecting his personal style. He also shares anecdotes about working with developers, navigating creative differences, and the emotional impact of personal events on his music.

A significant portion of the interview focuses on Hulshult's technical setup, including his guitar preferences (Caparison Dellinger 7 and Brocken 8, Seymour Duncan pickups), string gauges, amplifiers (Neural DSP Quad Cortex, Engel cabinets), and effects pedals (Moogerfooger, Fulltone Catalyst, ZVEX Fuzz Factory). He details his workflow, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and self-challenge. His daily routine, incorporating sleep, focused work sessions, and cardio, is also discussed.

The interview further touches upon his work on the Iron Lung film soundtrack, collaboration with Markiplier, and the impact of budget on his approach to composition. His experience with chiptune music, specifically Dusk 82, is explored, along with the possibility of future chiptune projects. He reflects on remastering his older soundtracks, the challenges of composing for games with troubled development cycles (WRATH: Aeon of Ruin), and the overwhelming success of his DOOM Eternal DLC contributions, particularly "Blood Swamps."

Hulshult shares his thoughts on revisiting his older works, the creative freedom he was given on the DOOM Eternal DLC, and the unique challenges of composing for the DOOM II remaster. He discusses his favorite tracks from various projects, his musical influences (Gojira, Metallica, Jesper Kyd), and his aspirations for future projects, including the possibility of composing for a Duke Nukem reboot or Minecraft. The interview concludes with a discussion of his favorite musical memorabilia and his coffee preferences (cold brew black).

This interview provides a comprehensive look into the life and work of Andrew Hulshult, offering valuable insights into the world of video game music composition and the creative process behind some of the most memorable soundtracks in recent gaming history.