Tag: game

Fans Around the World Celebrate FC Barcelona’s El Clásico Victory With ROSALÍA Tracks

March 28, 2023

Over the last two weekends, both FC Barcelona and FC Barcelona Femení extended their respective title race leads with their El Clásico victories. The highly anticipated matches, hosted on the Spotify Camp Nou pitch, had extra star power thanks to the clubs’ special-edition ROSALÍA shirts.

Kitted out for victory

During the epic showdowns, both FC Barcelona and FC Barcelona Femení players wore the MOTOMAMI shirts to celebrate the first anniversary of ROSALÍA’s latest album. Following the reveal of the special match kit on March 15, searches for “ROSALÍA” and “MOTOMAMI” on Spotify increased more than 100% globally and nearly 200% in Spain compared to the previous day. ROSALÍA herself even earned a social media milestone, with her announcement post on Instagram becoming her most-liked of all time. 

And fans were just getting started.

In the hour following the final whistle of the men’s match, global streams of ROSALÍA tracks climbed on Spotify:

  • More than 220% in Egypt
  • 170% in Morocco
  • Nearly 70% in Nigeria
  • Nearly 60% in Sweden and India
  • 55% in Poland
  • More than 50% in South Africa
  • More than 45% in Chile
  • More than 25% in Australia and Brazil
  • More than 20% in Indonesia, the U.K., South Korea, and Spain*

FC Barcelona players celebrated the win by blasting ROSALÍA’s “Despechá” in the locker room.

Spotify To Acquire Music Trivia Sensation Heardle

July 12, 2022

Gif where the Heardle logo changes to match the Spotify font and gains color

Listen to this story read aloud in 2 minutes and 30 seconds. 

 

If you love that you can recognize hundreds of songs within a few opening bars, you’re not alone. Passion for music runs deep—and so does showing off those skills in musical trivia. Millions do just that with Heardle, a daily music game. And at Spotify, we love all things music—and all things music trivia—which is why we’re excited to announce that the beloved interactive music trivia game will be joining Spotify. 

We see Heardle as more than a trivia game: It’s also a tool for musical discovery. Playing Heardle might just help you to rediscover old tracks you may have thought you’d forgotten, discover amazing new artists, or finally put a title to that wordless melody you’ve had caught in your head forever. 

Heardle is a simple but endlessly challenging game. Players are tasked with guessing a song based on its opening notes. They get six guesses, with each hint giving a few more seconds of music to inform their next answer. Ultimately, they get a chance to discover the song in its entirety, whether or not they guessed it correctly. 

“We are always looking for innovative and playful ways to enhance music discovery and help artists reach new fans,” commented Jeremy Erlich, Global Head of Music, Spotify. “Heardle has proven to be a really fun way to connect millions of fans with songs they know and love and with new songs . . . and a way to compete with their friends as to who has the best musical knowledge. Since its debut, the game has quickly built a loyal following, and it aligns with our plans to deepen interactivity across the Spotify ecosystem.”

For existing Heardle players, the look and feel of the game will stay the same, and it’ll remain free to play for everyone. And effective today, players can listen to the full song on Spotify at the end of the game. 

Looking ahead, there are some exciting opportunities to come. Today, we’re starting with users in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. And soon, hundreds of millions more people around the world will have the opportunity to play and enjoy the game in their native language. Further down the road, we are also planning to integrate Heardle and other interactive experiences more fully into Spotify to allow music lovers to connect more deeply with artists and challenge friends—and have some fun in the process. 

Lace Up for Rapper AJ Tracey’s Basketball-Inspired Album With Our Interactive Game

April 19, 2021

British rapper AJ Tracey recently landed a slam dunk with his second album, Flu Game. The release draws its inspiration from basketball player Michael Jordan and his team, the Chicago Bulls, during the 1997 NBA Finals. The album’s title is a reference to the infamous Game 5, where Jordan showed up to the court to play—and win, despite having flu-like symptoms.

For the album’s launch, AJ—a longtime Michael Jordan fan—and Spotify are bringing listeners Flu Game: The Game. Fans can enter the rapper’s Revenge Athletic world with a street basketball-style interactive experience. In the game, players must shoot as many basketballs into the net as possible before the clock runs out. Obstacles pop up along the way, making swishes easier said than done.

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

April 16, 2020

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

December 6, 2018

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

August 24, 2018

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.

The 9 Best Moments From the World’s Game (Football) as Told by Streaming Data

July 13, 2018

Since kicking off last month, the world’s game has captivated fans around the globe. From the opening match of the world’s game to its wild semi-final, there’s been no shortage of drama, including joyous triumphs, bitter disappointments, and surprise upsets. In other words: It’s been awesome. But the excitement hasn’t been limited to the pitch—fans also love a little soundtrack to accompany their cheers.

Check out 9 of the most exciting football moments from the past few weeks as told by Spotify streaming data.

1. June 15: ‘La Roja Baila’ Heats Up For Spain vs. Portugal

The heated match between historical rivals Spain and Portugal inspired a huge increase in streams of “La Roja Baila” (“The Red Dance”), a collaboration between Spanish singer Niña Pastori and footballer Sergio Ramos. The track, which was the official anthem of the Spanish National Team for the 2016 Euro Cup, saw a 43 percent increase right after the action went down.

2. June 16: Iceland Brings it ‘Home’ In their First Tournament Appearance

In its first-ever World Cup match, Iceland scored against Argentina, ultimately tying them 1-1 in their debut game. The country’s historic goal—and goalkeeper Hannes Þór Halldórsson’s awe-inspiring save against Argentina’s Lionel Messi—energized an entire nation to turn up the music. One song that spiked ʼround the fjords was “Eg er kominn heim” (“I’ve Come Home”), Iceland’s favorite football song.

Spotify streaming during Iceland’s first appearance

 

3. June 18: Mexico Rejoices in Historic Song For Win Over Germany

When Mexico beat Germany 1-0, fans couldn’t stop streaming “Cielito Lindo,” or “Lovely Sweet One,” a popular folk song. In recent years, the song has become an unofficial football anthem, with fans calling, “Sing and don’t cry!”

4. June 26: Messi and Rojo Score On The Field and at ‘The Club’

After tying Iceland, Argentina bounced back against Nigeria with triumphant goals from Lionel Messi and Marcos Rojo. Fans turned it up with El Pepo’s“Hoy Acá en el Baile” (“Here Today at the Club”), which spiked by about 114 percent.

5. June 28: Mexico Goes ‘Gangnam’ For South Korea’s Victory Over Germany

South Korea’s surprise win over Germany kept Mexico in the tournament, which inspired Mexican fans to honor their good fortune with a Korean electro hit. “Gangnam Style”—as much a pop culture phenomenon as a song—was Mexico’s biggest party jam right after the match.

6. July 3: England Celebrates Penalty Shootout Win Over Colombia in Signature Style

England’s match against Colombia was a close one, but the Three Lions eventually triumphed 4-3. Naturally, English fans celebrated with their signature football anthem, 1996’s “Three Lions,” by The Lightning Seeds, which was streamed over 450,000 times.

7. July 3: Sweden Gets Nostalgic During First Quarterfinal in 24 Years

Sweden made it to a World Cup quarterfinal for the first time since 1994, which offered fans a great reason to get nostalgic. They chose to reminisce with a classic track from that year, “När vi gräver guld i USA,” which translates to “When We Dig For Gold In The USA.”

8. July 6: Belgium Emerge as ‘Champions’ Against Brazil

Belgium had a lot to celebrate when the team beat Brazil 2-1. And what better victory theme is there than “We Are The Champions”? Belgian streams of the classic Queen track increased by almost 289 percent after the match.

9. July 10: France ‘Survives’ Belgium (With a Little Help from Gloria Gaynor)

Gloria Gaynor’s 1978 disco empowerment anthem “I Will Survive” probably wasn’t written for the soccer field, but it worked wonders for France, who increased streams of the song by more than 800 percent after their 1-0 win against Belgium.

Getting pumped for the final match? Get in the spirit of the World’s Game with our football-inspired playlist.