I don't think adding music to a map is such an intellectual process. For the Cube maps I've made with custom music, in all but one of them the song was picked from something I already had. Putting the two together just felt right, no analysis.

It would be a joke to try and assign rules like "no up beat music in an evil map." I can picture a style of map where that would work. A sort of psychotic circus freak show kinda map. Hell, if I can find the textures to go with that idea I'll actually do it. 

well, the music should reflect the environment. you don't want anything with a techy feel in pure medieval map. beyond that, it don't think there are too many rules that dictate what music should go with what type of map.

anything that accentuates the mood your trying to create in the map should be fine.

for nesp06, i tried to pick a tune that was very heavy and brooding, to reflect the plight of the player at the end (getting stuck in Midian with no way home). it was just some CoF song that i happened to like and that happened to fit in with what i wanted.

mostly, though, it should be music you like. 

that the music shouldn't suck when you listen to it on its own. All other putative rules will have exceptions, including "no techy music in a medieval map." 

ok, yeah. that was a generalisation, but you know what i meant. ;) 

this sounds stupid,lame and cheap. but sometimes however hard you try to pick (or make) music for a map people won't like it. i get friends saying: chris, why you listening to Grieg? you where listening to Sasha Global Underground Ibiza half an hour ago! how can you do that?

answer is, not all people like all music and they have preconceptions about it. so, in theory a medieval map would sound nice with some dark music, in practice the player may after a while want pumpin drum n bass!

if you include music. do your best. dont worry if you get mail by people saying they think its shit. they prolly dont even have a clue what effort you put in it. you gotta "impose" things. democracy isnt always the way ahead... 

I have found it sometimes can be magical to have very emotional, deep music during violent gaming, at least in SP. It's a strange resolution of beauty and violence I wouldn't expect many to get.

"the music shouldn't suck when you listen to it on its own" .. yes but it doesn't have to hold the interest to the degree when listening only. I have very high standards with regards to extended serious listening.

I'm making my own music for the episode I'm (honestly) nearly done with and it is useful in "framing" the progression of styles and reinforcing the transitions. You might listen to the individual tracks and say "OK but not great" but when the change comes it will certainly have impact.

Re: #5 "do your best. dont worry if you get mail by people saying they think its shit" .. yep, only way to come up with something that isn't watered down (this applies to more than music). 

i must admit i tend to prefer no music at all when playing FPS. i prefer to here the sounds of the weapons, monsters dying etc. Infact i think the silence inbetween fighting is often crucial to an immersive atmosphere and also increases the tension considerably.

Having music playing (any kind of music) reminds me i am just playing a game. Without the music, i become much more immersed in the epxerience. 

I prefer no music at all (well if it isnt a situation were there is music in the place were you are like a tavern or something). Good ambient sounds make you feel more immersed in the game, music just feels like something that you shouldnt be hearing. 

music at the end of the map? like to go along with ending text, or cutscene, etc... 

Often times I'll play Cube or Q3 with winamp playing my own music in the background. Even though I lose a little bit of an edge by hearing the audio cues a little less clearly, the music gets me in the mood. When I feel the groove I shoot better, or at least feel happier about my shooting. After all, doing well is really only a facet of enjoying the game.

I think what's important is that the music be optional. Like I have F10 bound to (Cube's) music off, and F11 for next random song. I assume a lot of people have something similar, so I'm not forcing my music on them, just suggesting it. 

i never play winamp because once in 20 times it might crash. ok the new one doesnt...i know!

i still think the music from doom2 is one of the best and i went to download it as midi. also checked some of the author's other music. you should too...he's brilliant

quake music was ok. trent reznor did a good job, with the sounds too for monsters and things i believe...

quake2 music..i like rock and metal but not just any stuff...it becomes cheap and dated. quake music was more industrial technoy weird stuff. quake2 music sounded like cheap punk after a while...

how's doom3 music. anyone heard much of that? i'd love to know.