Fear of the Unknown: Music and Sound Design in Psychological Horror Games
Rebecca Roberts · 2014
Survival horror games manipulate players through their use of music and sound design to convey a range of atmospheres and engage players through deep emotional connections to the terrifying environment. Through strict audiovisual interactions, music is pushed beyond standard narrative design aspects of time and place and into a symbiotic, sensory relationship with the on-screen action. Both parts must work together in order to form one compelling product, where, in many other genres, music is not necessarily required. Music in horror settings is rarely used as incidental backing music. Instead, it is intended to convey atmospheric moods and provide sonic instruc - tions to the players. These games not only rely on emotionally captivating and disturbing music, but also complex uses of sound design in the effects chosen and their positioning within the level design.