Eternal echoes : exploring the role of music in horror video games

Abstract

The horror genre in video games is a growing genre amongst gamers, a genre in which player immersion and a cohesive artistic vision are utilised to transport the player on a unique experience, one which can only be experienced through the medium of video games. Along with visuals, music can have a pivotal role in immersing the player in the video game world and creating a unique environment that further enhances the story telling ability of the medium. The decision to focus on horror in video games was influenced by my personal interest in the subject, and by my fascination with experimental music techniques, which are often utilised in the horror genre. In this dissertation, different musical techniques and styles that can be used to craft these unique environments will be explored. This involves looking at various video games and analysing the techniques and methods used to craft the music. Game series such as Silent Hill have been in production since 1999 and thus can provide valuable insights into the genre. In recent years a surge of horror games has also flooded the indie market and thus some of the more prominent ones will also be analysed. Beyond the compositional portfolio, a video game will also be created to showcase these compositional techniques. This will help me to fully understand the role of music in a video game, since the player experience will need to be fully considered when making the game as opposed to simply composing the music in a vacuum.