MTHY 532T Video Game Music
This course explores the compositional techniques and analytical frameworks that define video game music from the late 1970s to the present. Students will examine how technological advancements have shaped game music’s evolution, from early chiptune synthesis to modern adaptive scoring techniques. In addition to studying the interplay between music, gameplay, and player immersion, the course introduces a broad model of harmonic function and musical syntax tailored to the diverse styles found in video game music. Topics include harmonic language, looping strategies, dynamic audio, interactive and nonlinear techniques, and the role of music in shaping game narratives and mechanics. Students will engage with weekly readings, listening analyses, and hands-on exercises, culminating in a final project where they compose original music and sound effects for a short video game playthrough. Basic instruction in Logic Pro (DAW) will be provided—no prior experience required.