The visual component of a digital game attracts most of the attention, but it’s far from the only element that contributes to the overall gameplay. The auditory experience of the game also has a significant impact.
Even the very first video game, Tennis For Two, used sounds to create a more realistic experience. In the decades that have followed, game soundtracks have become ever more integral, yet what’s fascinating is that, except for in notable cases, the player barely registers the sounds they’re listening to when they’re playing.
But video game developers very much understand why the soundtrack to the game is so important. Below, we’ll run through why the game’s sounds are so integral to the experience.
It Allows For Immersive Gameplay
Humans are famously poor at multitasking. If you’re trying to do something well, then it must have your undivided attention. Trying to succeed in a video game when you’re distracted by the sounds of the outside world, other people in the room, or other ambient noise is much more difficult than if you can just focus on the task at hand. Game soundtracks help players to fully immerse themselves in the game. They’re designed to be enjoyable to listen to, but not distracting, which actually makes them perfect for working or studying — the next time you’re struggling to focus, try putting on a game soundtrack!
It’s World-Building
Games, as with movies, use music to set the tone for the world that the player is entering when they press ‘Start.’ Without a soundtrack, the game will always feel a little flatter, no matter how realistic or impressive the visual element is. In particular, game music is deployed to good effect in games that take place on smaller screens, such as laptop or mobile screens, which typically have lower resolutions than televisions.
With music, the imaginary world of the game becomes much more immersive. Think of slot games, which typically have vivid themes that take place in highly creative worlds; in that setting, the soundtrack becomes arguably just as important as the visuals. Or think of Bejeweled, one of the most popular mobile games of all time, which would be a much poorer game if not for its iconic soundtrack.
It Dictates Tonal Changes
The game’s soundtrack doesn’t just bring the player into the game. It also serves as a cue for tonal changes in the gameplay, in much the same way it does in movies. Everything could be running smoothly when playing a game, but if you’re suddenly hit with music that is slightly more ominous, then you’ll know — without fully registering it — that something bad, or at least potentially bad, might be about to happen.
It Allows For Repeat Playing
Video game developers put together great soundtracks because they elevate the playing experience. But there may be an unintended, welcome side effect of creating these soundtracks — it makes the game repeatedly playable.
Music is strongly linked to memory, and in many cases, a person will remember a game’s soundtrack even more than they’ll remember the actual gameplay itself. In this sense, soundtracks can create a sense of nostalgia that makes replaying the game more desirable. Music simply makes it easier for game developers to create a connection with players. This is something that is more readily identifiable in movies (think of the Jurassic Park soundtrack, and you’ll probably want to watch the movie), but it works just as effectively in the video game world too.
Bottom Line: Music is a Key Component of a Great Game
Ask a player why they like their favorite game, and they’ll probably tell you about the storyline, graphics, creativity, and so forth. They probably won’t mention the soundtrack. Yet if they could somehow play the game without the soundtrack, they would likely find it an odd experience. It’s the same as watching a movie without a soundtrack — it just doesn’t work, even though we think it should.