Tag: gaming

What Gamers Are Streaming on Spotify

In recent weeks, there’s been an increase in gamers streaming Spotify through their consoles while playing the latest and greatest or their all-time-favorite titles—whether that’s exploring new worlds, fighting crime, or spying on super villains. Plus, streaming of Spotify’s curated video game playlists increased 41% across the entire platform. So, we dug in further to see what gamers have been streaming from their consoles over the last month, from March 16 to April 12.

Clocking in at number one for the top-streamed female artist from video game consoles was Billie Eilish, whose hit song “ilomilo” was actually inspired by and named after a computer game of the same name. Her counterpart for top-streamed male artist was Lil Uzi Vert, followed by Juice WRLD, XXXTENTACION, Bad Bunny, and Roddy Ricch. Ricch’s latest album, perfectly entitled “Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial,” is a sentiment that we can all appreciate right now.

But, that’s not all. One of our most fascinating discoveries was an uptick in streaming during the “early morning” hours from 6 to 9. It may seem like an odd time to be on your gaming console, but the data is clear. If you are going to be stuck at home, why not start your day with the games and music that you love?

Find out what else gamers are streaming on Spotify:

If you have a gaming console, learn how to set up Spotify here. Then, stream our top video game playlist, Top Gaming Tracks.

How to Stream Spotify From Your Xbox, PlayStation, or Discord

In recent weeks, listeners around the world have been changing up the way they stream Spotify. With an increased number of people staying home, there’s been an uptick in playing music from home devices—especially game consoles. 

Setting up Spotify on your console allows you to stream your own music while playing, whether investigating another world, racing cars, or defeating zombies. Kick back with the great soundtracks from other video games or Spotify’s Top Gaming Tracks playlist for a mix of current hip-hop and rap. (Plus, you can stream music from the console anytime, whether you’re deep in the game or doing something else in your home.)

Here’s how to set up Spotify on your console so you can stream your own music while investigating your world—or another.

How to Set Up Spotify on PS3™, PS4™ and Xbox One

The Spotify app is available for PS3, PS4 and Xbox One consoles. Any of these devices allow you to listen to your favorite songs, artists, and playlists while you’re gaming. Or, you can even use the console to stream podcasts or music while you do something else.

The first step is to download the app on your device. Once you’ve done that, you can log into Spotify one of three ways:

  1. Use Spotify Connect to link your Spotify app to your device. (More on that here.)
  2. Enter your Spotify email address and password. (If you usually log in using Facebook, use Spotify Connect instead.)
  3. Select Log in with PIN.” Then, on your phone or computer, go to www.spotify.com/pair and enter the PIN on your screen. (This option is not available for PS4.)

PRO TIP: If you don’t have a Spotify account already, you’ll be able to create one by selecting “SIGN UP” on the app. Both Spotify Free and Premium users can stream Spotify through their PlayStation console and Xbox One.

BONUS ROUND: PlayStation users can link their accounts to automatically log into Spotify wherever they log into their PlayStation™ Network account. Or you can link your accounts here.

How to Start Playing on PlayStation and Xbox One

Select Xbox and PlayStation games allow you to listen to Spotify while you play. For the best of both worlds, disable the in-game music (if your game allows) while you stream and add your own music. Here’s how to play your selected music or podcasts:

  1. Press and hold the PlayStation or Xbox button on your controller to bring up the menu or guide.
  2. Select “Music” or “Spotify.”
  3. From here, you can skip songs, play, pause, or adjust the volume.

SECOND BONUS ROUND: PlayStation users can also share what they’re listening to while playing with their friends and teammates during select games. Using the controller, press the “Share” button, then select “Share Music” then choose from “Recently Shared,” “Now Playing,” “Recently Played,” or “Recently Saved.”

Now—start jamming to your favorite tunes while defeating your virtual opponents.

Listen With Friends on Discord

You can listen, game, chat, and party all at once with Discord—as well as see and play what your friends are listening to. Plus, Premium users can even listen together with Listen Along. To get started:

  1. On desktop, download the Discord app and open it. 
  2. Click “Connections” in the menu on the left.
  3. Click Spotify.
  4. A web page will open to connect. If you’re not already logged into Spotify on the device, you’re directed to log in or sign up first.
  5. Once you’ve connected Spotify to your Discord account, you can choose to display what you’re listening to in real time on your profile. 

If you’re a Premium user, you’ll be able to listen along with your friends. Simply click someone who’s Listening to Spotify from your list of friends on the right, and select the Listen Along icon, which looks like a person with a play button. If you Listen Along with a friend who has Spotify Free, you’ll hear silence when they hear advertisements. 

PRO TIP: It’s not possible to Listen Along when voice chatting—use text chat instead for the best of both worlds.

Now that you’re all set up, you may be looking for something to stream. No worries, our Gaming Hub has you covered.

Explore the Secrets of Video Game Music in New Podcast From Spotify and The Game Awards

What would Red Dead Redemption 2 be without its soulful outlaw rhythms and evocative original score? Or the NBA 2K, Madden, and FIFA franchises without the adrenaline-pumping hip-hop beats? Ask any avid gamer and they’ll tell you: Music sets the tone for gameplay. It has the power to hype you up for a battle, suck you into a plot, and drive you to victory. Matching music to a video game isn’t an afterthought; it’s a complex creative endeavor worthy of celebration. That’s why we are teaming up with The Game Awards to launch “Score Points,” a new podcast dedicated to the growing art.

Launching today—prior to The Game Awards, which will stream live at 8:30 p.m. ET—the six-episode podcast series reveals the untold musical stories behind the five nominees for Best Score/Music Award, presented by Spotify. The games nominated for the award are: Celeste, God of War, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, Octopath Traveler, and Red Dead Redemption 2.

The new podcast, hosted by veteran video games journalist and The Game Awards producer Geoff Keighley, will take gaming fans inside the creative process of writing an interactive musical score. He’ll also explore the ways game soundtracks cleverly mirror players’ choices—and keep the momentum going through every plot twist and level.   

In creating the iconic Nordic soundscape of God of War, Emmy-winning composer-musician Bear McCreary enlisted the talents of Faroese singer-songwriter Eivør Pálsdóttir, a 50-string orchestra, and two large choirs.  

“I had to find ways of giving the audience what they want emotionally,” McCreary shared during a “Score Points” podcast episode. “In many cases, that’s a climax or a closure or a resolution. In the epilogue of the game, it might have been my favorite key to write because I was like, ‘Wait, you cut to black!’ It’s the biggest smash-cut ever in the music. When it cuts to black, I found when I played the game, that moment is super satisfying.”

Grab your gaming headset, crank up the volume, and check out our new Score Points podcast. As they say in PUBG (PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS), “Winner, winner, chicken dinner!” It’s game on.

Find the Perfect Gaming Music on Spotify

When you’re gaming, you’re in the zone—and you need the music to match. Sometimes the game’s soundtrack is on point (we’re looking at you, Dan Romer and “Far Cry 5”), and other times you wish it could be anything else. That’s why we partner with some of the biggest streaming gaming companies like Twitch and Blizzard, and why we’ve made Spotify available on some of your favorite consoles, including Xbox One. This year, we’re also deepening our partnership with Xbox and fans by returning to Gamescom with an even bigger presence.

Read on to learn about our partnership, playlists, and even the beats per minute behind gaming streaming.

All Fun and Games at Gamescom

Gamescom is Europe’s largest annual gaming convention, and it’s being held in Cologne, Germany, this week (August 22-25). The four-day event showcases demos of the latest top games, innovative accessories, and most current gaming software. The biggest names in gaming brands (Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo), developers (Ubisoft, Activision), publishers, influencers, distributors, and media are in attendance.

PWN the Gaming Playlists

Gamescom is the ideal platform to launch Xbox’s Spotify profile and first playlists, featuring the biggest gaming titles of the year. Check ‘em out:

Metro Exodus: Climb aboard and take a stand with these futuristic tracks.