From the articles we read and our discussions in class, we have seen that music in videogames has changed over the years as technology has advanced. Older platforms simply just did not have the physical capability (whether it be a soundcard, or memory) to play many musical tones. As systems progressed, so did the sound. You can clearly see the difference between the 8 bit atari system and the musical sounds in super mario for the nintendo. Later on elaborate music could be added to games once cds came into the video game world with the Sony Playstation. and as systems and speakers became more advanced, the complexity of music in video games was able to increase. This is a case where the physical technology, held back the advancement of the musical performance
Linking sounds and music to the movements of a character has a big part on the way players experience their gameplay. The term “mickey mousing” is used to describe this effect. It makes the movements oof characters unforgettable, such as how we all know what is happening in a Mario game just by the sounds we hear and not actually watching the game.
The music in the background of videogames also gives the audience an individual feeling based on the tone and sound of the music. For example the happy bubbly music when you are in the Mario Overworld as opposed to the Mario Underworld. Most people feel scared and anxious when listening to the minor chords and sounds in the underworld, causing gameplay to be hastened and less carefree.