Music in Digital Life: How Sound Has Become a Staple of Gaming
3 min read
Remember when computer games sounded like a collection of angry doorbells? A few bleeps, a couple of electronic noises and you were away. It was hardly the London Symphony Orchestra, but somehow those primitive sounds became part of the fun.
Fast forward to today and gaming audio is a completely different thing. Due to the music, sound effects and voice acting being such an integral part of the experience, it is often difficult to even notice how important they are.
From Bleeps to Big Soundtracks
The technology obviously helps.
The early games just weren’t able to do music like the modern ones can. This is due to the fact that programmers had to make do with very primitive technology and abandon complex sounds in video games. However, the early tuneful accompaniments have a pleasing aspect about them. A couple of notes became famous, and some of the tunes from video games can now be heard in the modern films.
Of course, contemporary games have a lot more opportunities. The use of orchestras, musicians, and sound effect technology allows for a bigger variety of sounds played in video and casino games online.
That’s quite a leap from beep, beep, beep.
Casino Games Join the Party
Online casino games have embraced sound in much the same way.
Take an online slot and there can be a surprising amount going on behind those reels. The music might reflect the game’s setting, while individual sound effects accompany different events on screen.
A game based around ancient Egypt might go for dramatic, atmospheric music. Something inspired by rock music can take a completely different approach, while a cartoon-themed game might use something much lighter and more playful.
It’s another way for developers to give a game its own identity.
And it isn’t just slots. Live casino games have their own soundscape too, with dealers talking to players, cards being dealt and the general background noise you’d expect from a physical casino environment.
Creating a World You Can Hear
That’s probably one of the most interesting things about gaming music. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the main attraction.
Sometimes it’s there to create a sense of place.
A fantasy game might have strings, choirs and orchestral arrangements. A science-fiction title could go for electronic sounds and futuristic effects. A horror game might use very little music at all, because silence can be just as effective.
Casino games do something similar. The audio helps establish whether you’re looking at something glamorous, humorous, mysterious, futuristic or deliberately old-fashioned.
You might not sit there thinking, “That’s an excellent piece of audio design,” while playing. But take the sound away and suddenly the experience can feel rather different.
Music Has Escaped the Game
There’s another interesting development. Game music doesn’t always stay inside the game anymore.
Soundtracks appear on streaming services, fans create playlists and people upload performances of favourite themes. Some compositions have become recognisable pieces of music in their own right.
::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.
