Understanding Game Scoring

Contents

List of Figures

List of Tables

Chapter 1

An Introduction to Game Scoring

Disasterpeace and FEZ: A Case Study of Game Scoring

Music System Overview: Sequence Context Menu

Music System Overview: Scripts Browser

Music System Overview: Main Composition Sequencer

Game Scoring as an Unique Mode of Musical Composition

Methodology and Outline

Chapter 2

Game Scoring's Interactive Multimedia Context

Spatial Emulation, the "Gaming Diegesis" and Game Scoring

Interactivity: A New Element

Audial Responsibility in the Interactive Multimedia Text: A Case Study of the Score for The Legend of Zelda (1987)

Case Study Conclusions: John Cage and Game Scoring as Aleatoric Composition

Game Scoring Taxonomy: Title Music

Game Scoring Taxonomy: Source Music

Source Music Case Study: Kondo's "Lost Woods" Vs. Vreeland's "Reflection"

Game Scoring Taxonomy: Results Music

Chapter Conclusions

Chapter 3

Game Scoring and Gaming Technology

Case Study: The Nintendo Entertainment System's Sound Hardware Configuration

Channel Overview: Pulse Wave Channels

Channel Overview: Triangle Wave Channel

Channel Overview: Noise Channel

Channel Overview: Delta Modulation Channel

NES Game Scoring Techniques

NES Game Scoring Techniques: 2-Channel Echo

NES Game Scoring Techniques: Single Channel Echo

NES Game Scoring Techniques: Arpeggio and Psychoacoustic Block Chords

NES Game Scoring Techniques: TWC Kick Drum Sounds

NES Game Scoring Techniques: Melodic Samples

Putting It All Together: The APU Mixer

Case Study Summary

Game Scoring Taxonomy: Logo Jingles

Game Scoring Taxonomy: Loading Music

Game Scoring Taxonomy: Voice Acting and Vocals

Chapter Conclusions

Chapter 4

Game Design and Game Scoring as Software Programming

Game Scoring Taxonomy: Introduction Music

Game Scoring Taxonomy: Demo Music

Game Scoring Taxonomy: Gameplay Music

Gameplay Music: Hub Music

Gameplay Music: Area Music

Area Music Case Study: Game Scoring as Mimetic Music Technology in Tetris (1984) and Guitar Hero (2005)

Gameplay Music: Area Music, cont.

Gameplay Music: Time System Jingles

Gameplay Music: Battle Music

Gameplay Music: Rest Music

Gameplay Music: Dialogue Music

Dialogue Music Case Study: The Owl and Link's Awakening (1993)

Gameplay Music: Challenge Music

Chapter Conclusions

Chapter 5

Game Scoring: Gameplay as Performance of Aleatoric Composition

Before Video Games: The Aleatoric Tradition

A Note on Sound Effects

Case Study: Super Mario Bros. (World 6-2)

Game Scores Vs. Game Soundtracks: Super Mario Bros. on CD

Case Study Conclusions

Game Scoring Taxonomy: Menu Sound Effects

Mario Menus: A Case Study of Menu Sound Effects in Two Super Mario Games

Menu Sound Effects, Cont.

Game Scoring Taxonomy: Menu Music

Game Scoring Taxonomy: Status Music (Gameplay Music, Cont.)

Game Scoring Taxonomy: Gameplay Sound Effects

Game Scoring Taxonomy: "Ambiences" or Ambient Sound Effects

Chapter Conclusions

Chapter 6

Game Scoring: Conclusion

Future Directions

Significance

Implications

Conclusion

Index