Decoding Pedro Eustache’s custom instruments at The Game Awards 2025: a guide to the sounds behind the winners.
Introduction: The Symphony of Victory
The Game Awards 2025 has drawn to a close, leaving behind an evening etched in gaming history. While Clair Obscur Expedition 33 rightfully claimed the spotlight with a record-breaking nine wins, including the coveted Game of the Year, the ceremony’s emotional crescendo was, as tradition dictates, a live orchestral performance. This year, virtuoso wind instrumentalist Pedro Eustache—affectionately known as “The Flute Guy”—turned this finale into a masterclass in thematic storytelling through sound.
This performance was far more than a celebratory medley. It was a carefully curated auditory journey, where each instrument acted as a character representing the soul of the game it was paired with. Understanding the craftsmanship and intent behind these tools unlocks a deeper layer of appreciation for the artistry involved in both game development and live event production.
The Instrumental Roster: A Game-by-Game Breakdown
Eustache’s performance was a structured narrative, switching instruments to sonically embody different gaming worlds. Here is the detailed inventory of instruments that defined each segment:
- Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: Custom Piccolo – Its bright, piercing tone cut through the orchestra, mirroring the game’s focus on precise, skirmish-based medieval combat and period authenticity.
- Death Stranding 2: Custom recorder-head concert flute hybrid – This fusion instrument created an eerie, breathy, and organic soundscape, perfectly echoing the game’s themes of isolation, connection, and surreal landscapes.
- Clair Obscur Expedition 33: Custom PVC contrabass flute – Crafted from industrial PVC piping, this instrument produced deep, resonant, and slightly hollow tones, reflecting the game’s mysterious, exploratory atmosphere and monumental scale.
- Hollow Knight Silksong: Irish flute (Tin Whistle) – The traditional, folk-like melodies of this instrument captured Silksong’s anticipated blend of melancholic beauty, agile movement, and intricate, hand-drawn world design.
- Donkey Kong Bananza: Custom mouth instrument – Likely a modified jew’s harp or brass mouthpiece, this provided the playful, percussive, and rhythmic beats essential for representing the chaotic, fun-centric energy of a party platformer.
- Outro: Subcontrabass flute – This mammoth instrument, with its subterranean pitches, provided the final, grounding resonance for the entire ceremony, symbolizing closure and the weight of the collective gaming achievements celebrated.
The strategic instrument switching was a deliberate directorial choice. It prevented auditory fatigue, gave each nominated title a distinct musical “voice,” and visually kept the audience engaged as Eustache interacted with his unique collection.
The Art of Custom Instrument Crafting
Pedro Eustache’s setup presented a fascinating dichotomy. Alongside standard orchestral fare, he wielded instruments that were radical, custom-made innovations. These aren’t mass-produced; they are born from collaboration between the musician and specialized luthiers who work with unconventional materials like advanced polymers, composites, and PVC.
The PVC contrabass flute is a prime example. PVC affects the sound wave propagation, resulting in a tone that is darker, more diffuse, and less metallic than a traditional metal contrabass flute. This isn’t a compromise—it’s an intentional design to achieve a specific, unorthodox timbre that a composer might desire for a particular cinematic or game audio palette.
For game soundtracks, which often live in fantastical or sci-fi realms, these custom sounds are invaluable. They provide composers with sonic colors that don’t exist in standard libraries, allowing them to score a game’s unique identity more effectively. Eustache’s role is that of a sonic pioneer, expanding the palette available for interactive media.
Practical Insights for Aspiring Musicians & Fans
How to Deeply Appreciate Game Soundtrack Performances
Don’t just listen—watch and analyze. Note the physicality of playing: the breath control for long phrases, the finger technique on unfamiliar key layouts. Ask yourself: “Why this instrument for this game?” Link the sound’s texture (bright, dark, breathy, percussive) to the game’s visual style and narrative mood.
Common Misconceptions to Avoid
Mistake: Thinking the instruments are chosen randomly or simply for visual spectacle.
Reality: Each selection is a highly intentional collaboration between the performer, music director, and often the game’s composer. The goal is auditory symbolism, not just novelty.
Mistake: Believing custom instruments are “easier” or gimmicks.
Reality: They often present greater technical challenges due to non-standard tuning, resistance, and fingering, requiring immense skill to master.
Optimizing Your Advanced Viewing Experience
1. Pre-Show Homework: Listen to the soundtracks of the nominated games beforehand. You’ll instantly recognize thematic motifs during the performance.
2. Dual-Screen Setup: Watch the performance on one screen while having the instrument list (like the one above) open on another for real-time reference.
3. Focus on Transitions: The most artistry is often shown in how the performer seamlessly moves between wildly different instruments, maintaining the musical flow. Watch for their setup and preparation.
Conclusion & Further Exploration
The orchestral finale at The Game Awards is more than a closing number; it’s a bridge between the digital worlds we play in and the tangible, human artistry required to celebrate them. Pedro Eustache’s performance in 2025, with its blend of tradition and radical innovation, underscored this beautifully. It reminded us that the sound of gaming is as diverse and crafted as its visuals and stories.
Read more articles here:
- No Man’s Sky wins at The Game Awards 2025 after five years, and deservedly so
- Esports Awards 2025: All winners across every category
- The Streamer Awards 2025: List of winners
- Expedition 33 vs ARC Raiders Game of the Year award debate: Exploring what streamers have said so far
- What did India Love do at The Streamer Awards 2025? Streamer gets called “female Kanye” for her actions
To truly grasp the impact, we recommend revisiting the performance with this new context. Listen not just for the melody, but for the material of the flute, the breath behind the note, and the story each unique instrument was chosen to tell.
No reproduction without permission：GameCDjnh » What are all the instruments Flute Guy played at The Game Awards 2025 Orchestra Decoding Pedro Eustache's custom instruments at The Game Awards 2025: a guide to the sounds behind the winners.