Tag: horror

February 12, 2014 / / Essays

 

I did not realize the impact music and cutscenes actually provide to most video games – this works with or without story. They fit, of course, within the entirety of a game’s aesthetic appeal, but they also continue further from the events happening within the game. Recently, I’ve attended many “video game concerts” where music from games appears, rearranged to fit the confines of an orchestra (or symphonic metal band, as in the case of the Video Game Orchestra). In most cases, I’m surrounded with self-proclaimed “fans” of the games. They discuss the setlist, they gasp when songs the conductor announces the next song (I didn’t even know the Final Fantasy XIII battle theme was actually called “Blinded by Light”), they cry as the current piece hits them emotionally. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say we were in a charismatic church, but we’re at a video game concert!

 

February 11, 2014 / / Essays

I find myself both baffled, fascinated, and frightened to death by horror films, horror video games, horror stories, and just plain reading about it. It’s a strange thing to investigate, but I imagine there’s some part of me that wants to know: why do we fear? Why am I fearful of some things and not others? This series will be personally motivated on a number of levels, so rest assured these conclusions may not apply to you at all. Join me, though, and we may discover things about ourselves we may or may not want to know!