O áudio como ferramenta imersiva em jogos digitais

Abstract

The sound landscape plays a fundamental role in immersing the user in digital games. With the significant growth of the gaming market worldwide, the notion that games are intended only for a specific age group is becoming obsolete, which presents a challenge for developers trying to entertain an increasingly diverse and demanding audience. In this context, immersion and the experience provided by the game assume an extremely important role in creating engaging interactive narratives. This study adopted a methodological approach that combined a literature review on the influence of audio on players' perceptions and understandings, focusing on experience and immersion, and the development of a digital game to analyze how elements of the sound landscape can contribute to or hinder user immersion. The literature review covered previous studies on the importance of audio in game immersion, exploring concepts from both the player's and sound designer's perspectives. The game was designed to create an engaging experience, utilizing an adaptive soundtrack, realistic sound effects, and immersive sound design. Player interactions were recorded through a form for further analysis. The results obtained indicated that the proper use of sound as an immersive tool significantly contributed to users' experience and immersion during gameplay. Participants reported a greater sense of involvement with the virtual environment and a higher immersion in the narrative. Furthermore, immersive audio contributed to the creation of atmospheres and emotions, enriching the game experience. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]