Right from the beginning of the gaming timeline, music and sounds have played an extremely significant role in the overall gaming experience. From the robotic clangs as the little white ball hit the moveable virtual bat in Pong, followed by the dreaded rejection tone when you missed a shot, to character animation sounds in Pacman, the audio aspect of a game is perhaps the most underrated feature in the gaming industry.

Over time, those monotone sounds have developed into melodic theme tunes and soundtracks that bring a unique perspective and feel to a game. We will go as far as saying these gaming soundtracks shake emotion inside of us. For most gamers, the action on the screen represents the focal point of the experience, but if gamers on computers, consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox, or smartphones even, slump back in their gaming chair and deploy the wonderful sense of hearing, a whole new appreciation to gaming will be unlocked.

More than just noise

For many, the background sounds will just constitute noise as players look to overcome the big boss, score a last-minute penalty, or battle to be the last player standing. However, the addition of certain sounds for certain moments of play is carefully thought out by skilled sound designers who create unique soundtracks that are also representative of certain levels or parts of a game. The linear sounds from the past have evolved into intricate, emotion-evoking pieces of audible art that have evocative effects on our minds. And it is not just one emotion; a variety of game-dependent sounds can produce a rollercoaster of reactions.

Example

In the iGaming industry, online casinos are beginning to implement more sounds into their game play, namely on online slots. Independent casinos at the Daily Star have thousands of online slots titles with different themes, which make for a variety of experiences. On Blood Suckers, a horror themed online slots game, a more eerie atmosphere is created to evoke suspense.

Players might feel more on edge due to the sudden bursts of noise after an action or receive a mini fright at the scream that marks a big win. Gonzo’s Quest, however, has a more triumphant soundtrack, reminiscent of an explorer with more buoyant sounds and the melody of joyous jungle pipes accompanying the spins. For some, a happier experience.

Dopamine Driven Gaming

The sense-tingling sounds heard in all gaming titles nowadays primarily affects a hormone called dopamine. This neurotransmitter is related to pleasure and enjoyment and different levels of dopamine can be created at the same moment in different individuals. When we hear a sound in a game, whether it is short and sharp or longer and melodic, our brain reacts, creating enzymes that produce dopamine. Depending on the sound, various levels of dopamine can be produced.

Taking the Gaming Experience to the Next Level

The combination of the finely tuned gaming sounds and the dopamine produced creates a noticeable effect on the psyche of a gamer. The progression of graphics along with sharper sounds create an almost cinematic effect on modern games. Augmented (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) gaming are set to take the gaming experience to the next level and with improved realism through sight and sound produced by these two elements, the psychological effect on gamers could be even more profound.

It is often a misconception that sound simply supplements the game play. But often, it is game play that is dictated by the sound. The psychology of sound in gaming will always play a role in the experience and our senses are set to be tested further in the future.