Whether you’re sniping enemies in Call of Duty, farming crops in Stardew Valley, or diving into your next Let’s Play, the right background music can elevate your gaming videos from good to unforgettable. But there’s one big problem: music licensing is tricky, and using the wrong track could mean a copyright strike, a muted stream, or a demonetized video.
That’s why we put together this curated list of royalty-free music tracks perfect for gaming videos & creators – all cleared for monetized use on YouTube, Twitch, and more, thanks to Thematic ✅
🎮 Why Music Matters in Gaming Content
Gaming videos are as much about the vibe as the gameplay. The right music:
- Sets the tone (action-packed, relaxed, epic, quirky – whatever your vibe)
- Keeps viewers engaged between high moments
- Builds your personal brand or stream aesthetic
- Helps with pacing during editing or live streams
No matter your genre preference, great background music makes your content feel better – and keeps your audience watching longer (which is critical for driving watch time and impact on the YouTube search & discover algorithm).
🚫 Skip the Copyright Headaches
A lot of creators have learned the hard way: not all “free” music is truly free to use. Just one copyrighted song can lead to:
- Blocked or muted videos
- Copyright claims
- Copyright strikes
- Lost monetization
- Complicated takedown disputes
With Thematic, every track is fully licensed for content creators. No guesswork. No stress. No strikes. No claims.
🎧 Thematic’s Curated Playlist for Gaming Creators
Here’s a hand-picked selection of our favorite royalty-free tracks designed specifically for gamers and gaming videos. Whether you’re streaming, editing, or uploading highlight reels, these tracks will help you set the mood and stand out from other gaming creators.
🔥 High-Energy Music for Competitive Gaming
Perfect for: FPS, Battle Royale, and MOBAs
Use in: Kill montages, Twitch highlights, competitive YouTube gaming videos
Great for games like: Apex Legends, Fortnite, Valorant, Overwatch
Track Picks:
- Fear Illusionists: Monastery of Silence – cinematic, intense build-ups
- RIDIN– dark trap energy for clutch moments
- Grind Season – gritty, percussive hype
Looking for royalty-free music for intense gameplay? These cinematic, high-adrenaline tracks are ideal for fast-paced action edits and dramatic YouTube gaming videos. Whether you’re pulling off clutch plays or showing off killstreaks, these tracks bring the heat.
🧘 Chill & Lo-Fi Background Music for Casual Gaming Streams
Perfect for: Cozy gaming, Minecraft builds, Stardew Valley, Sims
Use in: Long-form streams, day-in-the-life vlogs, or ambient gameplay edits
Ideal for: Twitch chill streams, laid-back YouTube gaming content, or building-focused videos
Perfect for: Minecraft, Sims, Stardew Valley
Great for background vibes on long streams or chill edits
Track Picks:
- Once Upon a Time – lo-fi with 8-bit textures
- split – soft beats that won’t distract
- Alone But Not Alone – mellow, consistent, low-key flow
These lo-fi and chill royalty-free tracks are perfect for calm gaming videos and streams where vibe matters. All of these songs are ideal for creators who want to create relaxing, immersive experiences.
🎬 Cinematic Music for Story-Driven Gaming Videos
Perfect for: RPGs, narrative adventures, open world games
Best for: games like: Elden Ring, The Legend of Zelda, Cyberpunk 2077
Use in: Cutscene compilations, lore breakdowns, or emotional gameplay edits
Track Picks:
- Suite Tiger – orchestral epicness
- Dawn’s Early Light – synthy, ambient mood
- To Freedom – moody and emotional
These cinematic royalty-free tracks are built for games with depth. With orchestral builds and ambient textures, they enhance narrative content, roleplay edits, and immersive storytelling.
🚗 Fast-Paced EDM & Synthwave for Gaming Highlights & Montages
Perfect for: GTA content, racing games, Rocket League, FIFA, or speedruns
Use in: YouTube montages, stream recaps, or energetic gameplay reels
Track Picks:
- Cruisin’ – synthwave for slick montages
- Phantom – fast-paced electro bangers
- Gravity – EDM drops for clutch moments
These high-tempo, royalty-free EDM and synthwave tracks are perfect for creators editing fast-cut highlight videos or showcasing incredible gameplay.
🎮 Retro & 8-Bit Music for Indie and Pixel Game Content
Perfect for: Retro titles, pixel art games, and 2D side-scrollers
Great for games like: Celeste, Undertale, Shovel Knight, and indie gems
Use in: Game reviews, walkthroughs, or nostalgic Let’s Plays
Track Picks:
- Jormy’s Theme – classic 8-bit nostalgia
- Gamer Girl – bouncy, fun, arcade energy
- better outside– quirky, fast-tempo pixel pop
Add personality and charm to your content with these 8-bit, retro-inspired royalty-free music tracks. Whether you’re sharing a quirky game discovery or celebrating pixel nostalgia, these tracks are bound to take your video to the next level.
📂 Ready to Use These Tracks in Gaming Videos?
All of these tracks (and many more) are available for free to use through Thematic.
✅ Monetization-safe
✅ Cleared for YouTube & Twitch
✅ No copyright strikes
✅ Artist-supported
🎵 Explore the full Gaming Music Playlist on Thematic →
✔️ Pro Tips for Using Royalty-Free Music in Gaming Videos
Get the most out of your soundtrack with these smart music editing tips – perfect for streamers, YouTubers, and video editors:
🎚️ Balance your audio mix
Keep background music at a level that supports, not overpowers, your voiceover or in-game audio. Viewers should feel immersed, not distracted.
🔁 Use instrumental versions when possible:
Instrumentals reduce vocal clutter and keep the focus on your gameplay or commentary—ideal for tutorials, walkthroughs, or reaction-style content.
🎵 Stay consistent with music genres
Building a recognizable vibe across your channel? Stick with a specific sound—like lo-fi for cozy gaming or EDM for highlights—to strengthen your visual brand.
📝 Always credit the artist
Thematic makes attribution easy with built-in license links, helping you stay compliant and support the musicians powering your content.
💡 Bonus Tip: Properly credited tracks are more likely to keep your videos monetized and copyright-free—especially on YouTube and TikTok.
💬 Final Thought
Don’t let bad music – or worse, a copyright claim – ruin your gaming videos. Great music should enhance your video, not complicate it.
With Thematic’s royalty-free music library for gamers, you get high-quality tracks that are cleared for monetization on YouTube, TikTok, and more – so you can stay focused on creating, not sweating copyright claims.
🎮 Join thousands of gaming creators leveling up their videos with copyright-safe background music from Thematic.
👉 Start using Thematic for free and power your next gaming video with the perfect soundtrack.
Thematic has the best selection of free music for gaming and YouTube gameplay videos. Enjoy these trending songs copyright free and royalty free when using Thematic. Sign-up for a free Thematic account to get access to the best free music for gaming videos.
Looking for more Thematic music recommendations for your videos? Enjoy our list of the best lofi music artists and songs for YouTube videos here.
Did we miss any of the top songs for gaming videos? Drop us a line at @hellothematic on Twitter or Instagram!
