Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
Causing Fear, Suspense,
and Anxiety Using Sound
Design in Computer Games
Paul Toprac
Southern Methodist University, USA
Ahmed Abdel-Meguid
Southern Methodist University, USA
AbstrAct
This chapter provides a theoretical foundation for the study of how emotions are affected by game sound
as well as empirical evidence for determining how to promote fear, suspense, and anxiety in players using
sound effects. Four perspectives on emotions are described: Darwinian, James-Lange, cognitive, and
social constructivist. Three basic properties of diegetic sound effects were studied: volume, timing, and
source. Results strongly suggest that the best sound design for causing fear is high volume and timed
sound effects (synchronized game sound with visual moment) and somewhat suggest that sourced sound
effects also promote fear. For anxiety, results strongly suggest that the best sound design is medium
volume sound effects. Results also suggest that acousmatic and untimed sound effects evoke suspense
rather than anxiety. Low volume sound effects are not effective at evoking fear, suspense, and anxiety
due to potential masking by other sounds. Implications and future research directions are presented.
INtrODUctION
everyday life. Immersion occurs when the game:
(1) “monopolizes the senses” (Carr, 2006, p. 68),
(2) engages the player psychologically, and (3)
requires physical action (see Nacke & Grimshaw,
2011 for more on immersion). The authors of this
chapter believe that all three components of im-
mersion are highly linked and can be (and are)
used to evoke emotions from players.
Visuals and sound are often used to elicit spe-
cific emotions among the consumers of computer
games. Currently, however, the computer game
Computer games are audio-visual entertainment
media that provide an escapist experience (Grim-
shaw, 2007). That is, computer games utilize both
audio and visual media to capture players' attention
and engage players' motor and mental skills; thus
immersing the players in the gameworld. This
immersion provides an escape for players from
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