Same but different: composing for interactivity

Based on experiences from practical design work, we try to show, what we believe, are the similarities and differences, between composing music for interactive media compared to linear music. In our view, much is the same, built on traditions that have been around for centuries within music and composition. The fact that the composer writes programming code is an essential difference. Instead of writing one linear work, he creates infinite numbers of potential musics that reveal themselves as answers to user interactions in many situations. Therefore, we have to broaden our perspectives. We have to put forward factors that earlier was implicit in the musical and music making situations, no matter if it was the concert hall, the church, or the club. When composing interactive music we have to consider the genre, the potential roles the listener might take, and the user experience in different situations.