Chinese game music has received recent praise following the release of its trailer for the sequel to the domestic game Extraordinary Ones by NetEase Games, titled "Welcome to Tianzi 76". With its strong and unique Chinese elements, the trailer was nominated for the "Best Music Design - Trailer" at the 14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) in 2023.

Tianzi 76 Trailer Receives Nomination at HMMA

        HMMA is an award determined by a committee composed of institutions such as the Society of Composers and Lyricists, the Television Academy, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Science. It is not only widely recognized in the international music industry, but also regarded as a "guiding star" for award winners in other major global music awards, such as the Grammy Awards. In the same category as "Tianzi 76" were trailers for AAA game titles such as "Diablo IV," "Spider-Man 2," "Star Wars Jedi: Survivor," and "The Callisto Protocol - The Final Transmission", making it a prestigious lineup. 

　　The theme song for the trailer was composed, produced, and released by NetEase’s internal team. The creative team consists of members from Sonus Audio Department at NetEase Interactive Entertainment and NetEase Cloud Music’s Bullet Studio. The release of "Welcome to Tianzi 76" earlier this year was met with widespread praise for its fusion of modern and classic Chinese elements. The song marks the only Chinese original composition by Chinese songwriters nominated in the category. The trap/rap elements combined with the melodious sound of the suona (a Chinese wind instrument) infuse the song with a lively, yet traditional vibe. The lyrics also convey a strong sense of passion, immersing those in the game world with a silk punk aesthetic.

The theme song “Wo Hu Cang”

　　Such recognition from the professional field is attributed to the creative team's unique design and meticulous production. From the very beginning of the production process, the music design was anchored in guo chao music (meaning music with strong Chinese elements). "Welcome to Tianzi 76" gets its distinctive flair from this very blend of traditional Chinese music and hip-hop.

"Welcome to Tianzi 76"

　　The Sonus Audio Department at NetEase Interactive Entertainment collaborated with Bullet Studio under NetEase Cloud Music to create the Chinese original theme song for the trailer. To ensure the quality of the theme song, the team collected more than 20 versions of the lyrics and worked closely with the game's creators, making meticulous revisions and selections before the final version. The powerful sound of the suona fuels the passion of the game and introduces Chinese elements to Hollywood. One can only hope that in the future, more Chinese games and music will make it onto the international stage.