Here are a couple experiments in using the sound effects tied to the in-game actions of videogame characters to approximate the background music of the same game. The first clip is from Super Smash Brothers Melee on the Gamecube; second is Super Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64. The second clip is more successful from a technical standpoint, but both are interesting explorations of the appropriateness of game sound.
From a recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology: “Stress levels are linked to subject focus on perceived social threats.” I just happened to find this article the day after I presented the project in the previous post. The study suggests that increasing exposure (in fact training people to recognize) positive facial images (genuine smiles) decreases the level of stress in those who experience high-stress situations regularly. The testing group was made up of telemarketers, but they might have done as well choosing graduate students. Another interesting point is that they conducted these tests by using games, trail versions of which you can play at MindHabits.
