Classical music appreciation through games?

The construction of the modern computer/video game is something that leaves no area underdeveloped. The full experience must be A1 if gamers are going to invest the time required to get into and complete the game.

This link from the BBC site tells us about  a concert that is celebrating the range of music that has accompanied computer games over the years. More recent games such as Halo and Zelda are investing a lot of creative exercise in making sure that the music is right...

"The music for videogames has come a long way in 30 years. Blockbuster titles now have bespoke soundtracks composed by classically-trained musicians, often performed by full orchestras."

What options does this bring to the teacher who wishes to explore the mood that music classical music conveys? Is their scope to move from the mood engendered by the classical music in a game to exploring this learning away from listening to music?

I think that this is an example of how we can make bridges between the semiotic domain (Gee 2003) of the games world that young learners may be knowledgeable about and confident in to a domain, such as classical music, that might not initially be an area that young learners would wish to engage with....

Comments

[Peter]

Hi,

I'm really interested in getting a games making club up and running in my school. Game maker is blocked in here, but I still think it's a good option (if it works on these computers). However, I was wondering who else (particularly in Scotland) is doing a similar thing? Any links would be appreciated greatly.

Sorry that doesn't relate to your post - my two cents on that though:

Cent 1: Gamers will understand the link between mood and music well - it's something I'd like to try out at some point, having music "react" to parts of a lesson.

Cent 2: Battle Girl for mac was a brilliant game because it had a really loud techno soundtrack that adjusted to gameplay. Similarly, LucasArts games such as Dark Forces and Jedi Knight had Midi-based, adjusting music that would give an audible sense of danger at certain points. I don't see why the same couldn't help pupils to focus/refocus at crucial points during a task.