With a grandfather who founded the Baton Rouge Concert Band, and a father who served as band director, music has always been in brothers Michael and Matthew Taranto’s genes. Two years ago, the University alumni turned their genetic composition into musical composition when they created their video game, “Tadpole Treble.”
The musical adventure game made its general public debut Friday in the University’s Digital Media Center for the annual Video Game Symposium. After spending two years developing “Tadpole Treble” from the video game incubator of the Louisiana Technology Park, co-creator Michael Taranto said the game will release on the electronic
platform Steam on May 6.
Michael said he expects virtually everyone — boys and girls ages six and up — will enjoy the game.
“Music’s kind of universal,” he said.
Six years ago, Matthew formed his company, BitFinity, to serve as a platform for selling his original web comics. After Michael partnered with his brother to make a video game, they started composing and coding for what would become “Tadpole Treble.”
As a 2006 secondary education graduate, Michael has five years’ experience as a classroom teacher. He said education formed the backbone of the game’s primary objective. 
In “Tadpole Treble,” players act as tadpoles swimming through Louisiana waterways, dodging sheet music and simultaneously hitting beats of music. By playing in “composition mode,” users can create their own songs, or they can play the main game, which involves 13 levels of original compositions from the
Tarantos.
Matthew, who composed the game’s entire soundtrack, said each level offers a different song genre, ranging from “1950s Sinatra big band” to “a ‘60s rock homage” to “‘Little Shop of Horrors.’” He said he received positive feedback on the musical score, itself, at the symposium.
“We wanted to have a variety of music to give each level its own feel so that when the players are playing the game, it won’t get too predictable,”
Matthew said.
Most of the songs were inspired by musical genres Matthew and his brother liked. As a graphic design major, Matthew said the game’s art also focused on the type of feeling the designers wanted to convey. 
Marketed as a Steam and Nintendo Wii U game, “Tadpole Treble” differs from other musical games because it shows actual note placement rather than general beat location. Additionally, Michael said players can share their compositions with friends using a QR code.
Baton Rouge natives, the brothers added a strong Louisiana element to the game. For example, the main character’s name “Baton” reflects the capital city and as the tool used for conducting bands.
Michael said BitFinity has received “very positive” feedback from Nintendo and test plays. As the company’s premiere video game, he said more seasoned input has been helpful. 
Because the arts typically receive secondary funding, Michael said he believes it is important for young people to be exposed to finer culture in their everyday lives.
“I think it’s very important that kids growing up…have that outlet to make themselves a fuller person,” he said.