Music facilitates play.

Music seems to serve a lot of variable functions in video games. While there are diegetic and non-diegetic elements of music in games, it also acts to create an atmosphere for the game. Some games are more stressful, such as the example of Silent Hill, while other games are more relaxing at times, like Ocarina of Time or Mario Brothers, according to Whalen. What I considered about music and sound in games is how visuals become inherently connected to aural sensations. For instance, one of the main features in the definition of Uncanny Valley is that the movements of the animated characters do not quite match to the sounds they are making, just as how singers lose impact when they lip-synch, particularly if they lip-synch poorly. In my experience, sometimes when my computer starts to act up the speakers don’t work properly and this jars the gaming experience. Without the correct music happening at the correct time, the game loses some of its appeal and the flow I once had for it. Maybe it’s just me, but music helps me grok the game better, if simply because there is a certain pattern in the music that corresponds to the game. As a classically trained pianist, I have a similar experience when I’m playing a piece and, in missing one important note, the entire flow of the piece is ruined.

In your past, has music either positively or negatively affected your gameplay? Aside from the obvious choices of Guitar Hero or Rock Band.

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3 Responses to Music facilitates play.

  1. Speaking of Rock Band, students in HNRS 353 might be interested in a short article written by a friend of mine: In Beatles Rock Band the Archive is Your Reward. Trevor Owens makes the case that the game is all about experiencing the Beatles’ music in new ways (as opposed to be being a Beatle).

  2. khrk says:

    I never really thought of the effect that music has on my game play until reading the articles and especially this post. For me personally, the game’s music makes a big difference in my experience. I personally choose games that have scores that are more upbeat and happy whereas most people I know enjoying playing games with the dark, warlike soundtracks. I don’t want to blame my music choice on being a girl but I think that has a lot to do with it. I choose games based on their aesthetics, not whether it’s a hip game. When I got my Gameboy color one Christmas I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I remember that my first game for it was Kirby, which is why I decided to relive my childhood for my play aloud, and selected Kirby’s Adventure to play. While I was playing I noticed the soundtrack for the first time. It was similar to Mario but had its own pizazz. Kirby’s soundtrack has an upbeat fast tempo that I think translates into gameplay. When I played the game I felt like I needed to play faster just to stay with the music. Even when Kirby died (which happened a lot in my case), the music was not glum like I expected; therefore, it really made me want to keep going and try again. Another thing is playing the game without sound. I hated as a kid not being able to play games without sound because it really takes away from the experience. I feel like the music sucks you in and creates this world for you, but when the sound is taken away that it’s just you and your Gameboy and it’s not that exciting. I never really thought about the effect of music on gameplay but I now definitely realize that it’s a major characteristic that appeals to me when playing a game for the first time.

  3. Stephanie says:

    I agree with your comment on how much music effects game play. When I was in high school, I took a music appreciation class, and in this class, we talked a lot about music in movies. One thing that I remember doing was watching classic movies without the music. The effect is totally different. The movie was nowhere near as engaging with just the dialogue. Most of the time, I do not even notice the “background” music in movies or video games. But I definitely notice when it is gone.
    I went online and played some games with well-known musical scores, such as Mario Brothers, but I muted my computer. While the game was still fun, I did not feel anywhere near as involved with the game. Because it is a song that I already know, I felt like I could hear the music in my head as I played. So I chose a game I had never played before and played that without any sound. I just was not as involved with this game because I think without the music, I feel like it is happening in some other world. With the sound and music, I feel like I am a part of that world.
    So I think that in both games and movies, the music is imperative. Without it, we are not as emotionally involved with the game. The music is what connects us to a deeper level.

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