Date of Award
2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Clark, Maribeth
Area of Concentration
Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies and Music
Abstract
Over the past few decades, the growth of technology has spurred the development of increasing personalization- arcades replaced with home computers, consoles, and mobile devices that have allowed video games to be accessible at the touch of a button. Alongside this development is the idea of a technological ‘invasiveness’, which has spawned a whole new generation of horror games that play off these fears by replicating beloved childhood nostalgic artifacts and infusing them with horrifying meta-theatrical mechanics, visuals, and especially audio. This thesis seeks to explain and interpret the use of music and sound design elements in video games- especially of the horror genre- to cue sonic instructions and create threat stimuli which augment players’ awareness and stimulate their fear responses. In three chapters, it discusses the conventions of 8-bit or chiptune music as an origin for iconic horror game audio, provides a basis for nostalgia-motivated fear tactics, and introduces the glitch music genre as a supplement to the meta-based weaponization of the “uncanny valley” of game audio. Video games and their soundtracks will become the ‘text’ for an emphasis on interactive or ergodic literature, and how music is particularly effective when the player is directly involved in the decision-making process for narrative points: especially by placing the responsibility of receiving ‘negative’ consequences on the player.
Recommended Citation
Boll, Pluto, "“Waiting for Something to Happen?” Creating Fear and Unease Through Video Game Music and Sound Design" (2022). Theses & ETDs. 6199.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/6199