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You're quite right that most scientific studies to date simply seem to contradict each other and there is absolutely no conclusive evidence either way about the effects video games might have psychologically or even physcially. It's an interesting area of study, but it seems that like TV, some things are very difficult to quantify.
In regards to game music... to be honest, I rarely notice it (and I tend to turn the option down if I find repetitious music to be annoying.) I did love the original start up music for Warhawk.. it was very grandiose and orchestral and it got me in the mood to take to the wide open skies, but in a game update they changed the opening music to a different piece that just didn't do it for me. Mostly I like the ingame sounds and to be honest there are "reward" sounds that do invoke a pavlovian happy response in me - whether it be a trophy/achievement unlocking, a treasure chest opening in an RPG or even the specific "headshot" sound that is evident in many games. Those sounds seem to evoke a more specific reaction in me than the overall music.
In regards to game music... to be honest, I rarely notice it (and I tend to turn the option down if I find repetitious music to be annoying.) I did love the original start up music for Warhawk.. it was very grandiose and orchestral and it got me in the mood to take to the wide open skies, but in a game update they changed the opening music to a different piece that just didn't do it for me. Mostly I like the ingame sounds and to be honest there are "reward" sounds that do invoke a pavlovian happy response in me - whether it be a trophy/achievement unlocking, a treasure chest opening in an RPG or even the specific "headshot" sound that is evident in many games. Those sounds seem to evoke a more specific reaction in me than the overall music.
With big grand games like Halo and Assassin's Creed I tend to miss the music cause of all the action sounds and ambient sounds. Though the kinda lonely, despondent piano bits in Halo: ODST were striking. The music that gets to me tends to be in the games built on a smaller scale. The Silent Hill soundtracks make my stomach hurt. That's a beautiful thing to me. Nier had a lovely soundtrack even if I'm struggling to play it. The first Resident Evil had this cello that made me so scared to open the next door or turn a corner. I love moments like that.
Big epic soundtracks certainly have their place but I forget them pretty easily. Smaller games, more personal music, and more simplistic songs tend to stay in my heart and my head long after the game is over.
Big epic soundtracks certainly have their place but I forget them pretty easily. Smaller games, more personal music, and more simplistic songs tend to stay in my heart and my head long after the game is over.
This is actually kind of funny, because I, along with a of mine, actually participated in a garduate student from the University of Chicago's research concerning Halo. He asked us questions about the story, how we played, how we felt when we played, etc. And I found it an enjoyable experience. Wish more of these game researches were more like him, more understanding of the culture.
AS for the soundtracks in games, I do feel that epic ones are very good, but Occams brings up a good point, they are forgotten after a while. I remember listening to the Halo Reach soundtrack, the Bioshock soundtrack a whole hell of a lot when those games came out, but I havent gone back to them since. I find myself going back to soundtracks from games like Alan Wake, VVVVVV, games like that. I think the music in games that have an epic scale, kind of need the game to be enjoyed, if you just hear epic music on your ipod or zune or whatever, I think, you would feel like there is something missing.
AS for the soundtracks in games, I do feel that epic ones are very good, but Occams brings up a good point, they are forgotten after a while. I remember listening to the Halo Reach soundtrack, the Bioshock soundtrack a whole hell of a lot when those games came out, but I havent gone back to them since. I find myself going back to soundtracks from games like Alan Wake, VVVVVV, games like that. I think the music in games that have an epic scale, kind of need the game to be enjoyed, if you just hear epic music on your ipod or zune or whatever, I think, you would feel like there is something missing.
I look for music first in games now-a-days. The first thing I noticed is how damn catchy the loading music is in Bad Company 2. It just sets you up for something big, even though the track is very simple and staccato.
I find myself remembering the shorter pieces more than the bigger ones. Those always hit home for me though.
I did enjoy what they did with Portal 2 and the procedurally generated music, as well as using the music for sound effects as well. The excursion tubes calm me down.
I find myself remembering the shorter pieces more than the bigger ones. Those always hit home for me though.
I did enjoy what they did with Portal 2 and the procedurally generated music, as well as using the music for sound effects as well. The excursion tubes calm me down.
Hey, great post. This is coming from an undergrad going into a neuroscience graduate program in about a year. :P But, to be unbiased, I have always noticed some of the things you point out regarding the specific use of timed music cues. That's part of my love of Mass Effect. :)
Interesting idea for a series, hope to see more on the way.
Even when you don't notice its there, music plays a big part in gaming. And something that a lot of people don't realise is how music doesn't always need to be memorable to still be a vital component to a game. Sometimes its entirely there to just set the scene or the mood to whats going on rather than to stand on its own merits.
The portal 2 stuff in particular is a really creative way of using music. Although no examples immediately come to mind, i think a lot of valve games have a good understanding of how to use music and sounds to enhance the experience, not to disregard some of the other examples my fellow commentors have mentioned.
Even when you don't notice its there, music plays a big part in gaming. And something that a lot of people don't realise is how music doesn't always need to be memorable to still be a vital component to a game. Sometimes its entirely there to just set the scene or the mood to whats going on rather than to stand on its own merits.
The portal 2 stuff in particular is a really creative way of using music. Although no examples immediately come to mind, i think a lot of valve games have a good understanding of how to use music and sounds to enhance the experience, not to disregard some of the other examples my fellow commentors have mentioned.
I fully support this series. Keep it up! I think the timing and presence of music in some games can really hammer home the reaction for a corresponding event in the game. Halo has always had pretty impressive direction there. I remember playing campaigns and having the pumping music cut in at just the right time.
In other games, the music is totally awesome in its own right, but I don't feel like it consciously affects my performance or my experience in the game. VVVVVV and Super Meat Boy are actually examples for me. I love the music, but don't feel passionate about its presence in the game.
In other games, the music is totally awesome in its own right, but I don't feel like it consciously affects my performance or my experience in the game. VVVVVV and Super Meat Boy are actually examples for me. I love the music, but don't feel passionate about its presence in the game.
