Date of Award

6-15-2024

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in Music

Organizational Unit

College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, Lamont School of Music

First Advisor

Zoe Weiss

Second Advisor

Jack Sheinbaum

Third Advisor

Mitch Ohriner

Fourth Advisor

Alejandro Cerón

Keywords

Authenticity, Collaboration, Expert musicians, Music, Others, Video games

Abstract

Video games create rich, virtual worlds for players to explore. Game developers have often utilized exoticism, allowing players to experience the “Other” from the comfort of home. Music is a powerful tool to evoke Otherness and can reinforce stereotypes about the past and different cultures. This thesis looks at recent games where developers have collaborated with expert musicians either from the culture depicted or with expertise in historical performance practices. I document two purposes these collaborations can serve. First, the use of expert musicians creates a veneer of authenticity allowing developers to market the games as “authentic” experiences. Second, these collaborations can resist crude musical stereotyping and present more nuanced musical depictions of historical and non-Western cultures. Nevertheless, the hierarchical power structures of game studios can undermine these goals. My case studies explore the nuances of these collaborations, highlighting both the opportunities and pitfalls.

Copyright Date

6-2024

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Tommy Dainko

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

76 pgs

File Size

456 KB



Share

COinS