There is a quiet magic in walking through an arboretum—where every step reveals new textures, colors, and the subtle interplay of light between the branches. This very essence inspired our latest creative project: a full-length original soundtrack and visual art suite for Arboretum, the elegant and deeply strategic card game of trees, paths, and choices.
The Beauty Beneath the Branches
Arboretum is more than a game about planting trees. It’s a meditation on space, harmony, and foresight. Each card represents a species—magnolias in bloom, lilacs in soft violet, willows trailing over pathways—and players must arrange them into paths that balance beauty with strategy. This duality between tranquil surface and competitive undertone became the heartbeat of our soundtrack.
Scoring Nature: Translating Gameplay into Music
We wanted the music to mirror the feeling of designing a living garden. Each of the six original tracks captures a distinct moment in this journey:
- Opening Canopy – A sunrise over the first planted trees, scored with harp arpeggios and gentle strings.
- Branching Decisions – Pizzicato textures and shifting time signatures reflecting the tension of choices ahead.
- Verdant Geometry – Minimalist marimba and vibraphone interlacing like the game’s interlocking paths.
- Twilight Among Lilacs – A romantic, melancholic piano ballad framed in the purple hues of dusk.
- Silent Competition – Deep, ambient tones hinting at the unspoken rivalries beneath the game’s calm surface.
- Final Bloom – A triumphant orchestral crescendo celebrating the flourishing of your arboretum.
This is not just background music—it’s a soundscape designed to enhance the entire play experience, transforming each session into an emotional journey.
Painting with Leaves and Light
In parallel with the music, we created a series of original illustrations—each one a lush 16:9 piece of art capturing the mood of its corresponding track. From sun-dappled pathways to twilight meadows beneath blooming lilacs, these visuals invite viewers to step into the arboretum itself. The art uses painterly textures, botanical detail, and atmospheric perspective to create a timeless, contemplative tone—an echo of the game’s own design.
Why This Matters
Games like Arboretum invite us to slow down, to appreciate the balance between competition and collaboration, control and surrender, nature and artifice. Our soundtrack and illustrations aim to do the same—offering players not just music and visuals, but a deeper connection to the game’s spirit.
Experience the Arboretum
The full project—including all six soundtrack pieces and their accompanying artwork—is now available to explore. Whether you’re preparing for your next game night or simply seeking a moment of calm reflection, we invite you to step beneath the branches and listen.
Have you played Arboretum?
Which tree speaks to you the most—the wistful willow, the vibrant poinciana, or the steadfast oak? Share your thoughts below, and let us know which track resonated with you most.