It’s no accident that online games almost always have a musical score accompanying the visual content and the sound effects. For many players, music is a key element that helps them enjoy the game more, and even though it’s possible to turn it off they would never do it. This is a very interesting phenomenon, as the game can function normally even without music and visual cues provide enough information to make in-game decisions.
We will take a closer look at the factors that contribute to the importance of music for online casino games and other gaming genres. The psychology of gaming is fascinating, and the way we react to music in games is a really great subject to explore in depth.
Music as a Mood Regulator
The primary role of music in our lives is to help us regulate our emotional states and transition between them. Playing your favorite tune can instantly put a smile on your face, even if the day has been rough so far. Similarly, some people play high-tempo music to deliver a boost of energy and productivity, or listen to soothing ambient music when they intend to relax and go to sleep. While the range of emotions that we have within the gaming experience is not nearly as broad, it still fluctuates considerably depending on what happens on the screen.
Music can smooth out the impact of adverse in-game events, allowing the player to remain in a positive mind frame even when things are not going his way. It can also add a jubilant note when the player is winning, making the experience even more joyful. Game designers usually pick music that keeps the player in a good mood and sharpens his attention, thus adding to entertainment value of the game and well as playability. However, music can also match the theme of the game and contribute to its atmosphere (i.e. gothic music in horror games or rock and roll in urban settings).
Audiovisual Synergy Is Central to Gameplay
Playing an online game is a complex experience that forces the individual to react to audiovisual signals and make critical decisions under time pressure. Music can be used to signify specific game events (i.e. hitting a payline in online casino slot games on a Canadian site), thus helping the player to recognise the circumstances and choose the best path forward. Over time, players learn to instantly react when hearing to the tones that follow certain actions without waiting to see the incoming threat.
When skillfully used, music can actually become an element of gameplay that directly connects with what you see on the screen. The trick is not to overdo it, since too aggressive sound could be in conflict with the visual channel and have a confusing effect on players who are not too familiar with game mechanics. Judicious use of well-chosen tracks to amplify the action in strategic spots is better than using the same melody throughout the game.
Immersion Is Easier to Achieve with Music
Some players describe their online gaming experience as being in a flow state, completely focused on their moves and nearly oblivious to the world around them. While gameplay is the main object of their attention, music can help them get into the proper mindset and achieve full concentration necessary for a successful gaming session. It acts as a vehicle that takes the player deep into the game world and carries him through the entire journey.
To amplify this immersive effect, some players put their headphones on before starting the game. This way, they feel completely isolated from the surroundings and free from any distractions that could cause their attention to drift from the task at hand at a key moment. Playing with headphones is very convenient in a public setting, preventing the in-game soundtrack from bothering other people in the vicinity and giving the player a degree of discretion and privacy.
Associating Music with a Specific Game
Members of an online casino site have access to hundreds of different games and frequently switch between them on a whim. Games with recognisable music scores are easier to remember and thus more likely to attract the player to come back to them periodically. Basically, music is a part of the game’s identity and it helps to differentiate it from competing titles within the same genre. As soon as the player hears the first couple of notes, his instincts wake up and he already knows what he needs to do in order to win.
It goes without saying that choice of music affects how easily it becomes attached to the game. Some melodies are super catchy and become etched in the players’ minds after only a couple of repetitions. Most game designers don’t have the luxury of using well-known tracks from famous artists, so they rely on original scores that fit well with the game they are making. Sometimes, this seemingly minor decision has a huge impact on how the game is received and how long it stays relevant in the online marketplace.
