Sound

The design, function, and reception of sound in video games comprises the content of this chapter. The topic is introduced through a brief history of video game sound and a short description of the general functions of video game sound, and this is followed by a more detailed description of the functions of dialogue, music, sound effects, and ambient sound. Sections on the audio technology of video games and an introduction to the theory and terminology of video game sound, along with examples of empirical studies, lead to the closing section in which Grimshaw-Aagaard speculates on the future direction and development of video game sound.