On Music Mechanics

On Music Mechanics is an exploration of how music in games can go beyond what currently exists. While rhythm and many other types of games heavily incorporate music and sounds, this is always on an aesthetic level, where the game can be played without sound, based on visual cues or timing.

The goal of this project was to create a series of prototypes and an accompanying zine that demonstrate our own approach to musical mechanics and to answer the question 'can you create a game that can't be played without sound?'.

This is a digital version of our in-person exhibition.  Please refer to the zine while playing through the games for the best experience.

Our Games:

Midiban:  Note Identification

Push notes around,  and try to match a melody. Each note is a block  that can only be pushed into a free space. The grid allows the player to change both the note and when the note is played.

Barrow: Compositional Recognition

Explore an ancient barrow  and connect objects to a skeleton to find its true song. Objects play snippets of music, which alongside a full song, are used to if an object belong to the skeleton.

Punk Manager: Recognising Changes in Tempo

Run an unruly punk band that always ends up out of sync. When members get too slow and thirsty, throw them a beer to speed them back up, likewise throw a joint if they are too fast. Try to time your throw through the crowd.

Synth Wizard: Keyboard Chord Playing

Using a mystical keyboard (a midi keyboard controller) to banish the bad vibes. Cast Spells by playing chords on a keyboard and get past obstacles by using the correct spell and timing. Listening is used to determine enemy weakness to specific spells.

Created as a final honours project for the Digital Arts Department of the University of the Witwatersrand by Juliette Love (music & sound) and Jack Rathbone (game design and programming).