Is there anything so satisfying to watch as a well-playedMariospeedrun?
It turns out that the answer to both questions could be “music.”
“Music usually plays a very big role for timing movement accurately.”
This is especially true ofMariogames, because of how their music was crafted.
His music will also tell you how to play the game, if you listen closely.
This connection is not a coincidence.
But after playing the game prototype, Kondo knew just what to do.
He’s presented on the music of Bastion,Left 4 Dead, and Final Fantasy XII.
“People think I’m cheating when I playLeft 4 Deadbecause I know this thing about it.”
Just watchthis videoof level 1-1 ofSuper Mario Bros. and you’re free to see this effect for yourself.
The music is telling you when to jump.
And the player in this video times it perfectly.
In a blindfolded speedrun, of course, the music plays more than just a suggestive role.
When there’s no beat, speedrunners just have to drop one themselves.
This perfect choreography between music and gameplay is common in platform games in particular, according to musicologist Plank.
In today’s games, sound effects add depth, atmosphere, and ambience to game worlds.
And it’s not just for speedrunners.
That panicky feeling you get when you start running out of time inSuper Mario Bros?
That’s what Plank is talking about.
“Sound can also have powerful emotional and physiological impacts,” Plank said.
response in the player: their heart rate inevitably goes up as they rush to finish on time."
On the other hand, is there any sweeter music to aMarioplayer’s ears than theone-up jingle?
