(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx7-o869wek)

CPU Bach

Interactive generative music software probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when someone says “Sid Meier”, but it’s not as outre if you consider that he started making flight simulators and did pirate games, spy sims, and Railroad Tycoon before Civilization came along. Still, CPU Bach is probably the oddest entry in his oeuvre. Jeff Briggs, involved as always in Microprose’s music, also worked on the design and programming.

The patented system for generating music based on the patterns in Bach’s music is certainly an interesting project. Since it was only released on the 3DO, it never had wide exposure. 

While limited by the technology available at the time–electronic music production has evolved past wavetable MIDI–the compositions themselves certainly sound Bach-like. And, based on the recordings I’ve seen, it does a good job on what I’ve always considered the hardest part of generative music: giving the composition an end that sounds right.