Beowulf: A game experience built on sound effects

Abstract

A computer game with most of the traditional graphics removed and replaced with a detailed and realistic soundscape, can give immersive gaming experiences. By reducing the graphical, explicit output of information from the game, the player becomes free to concentrate on interpreting the implicit information from a rich soundscape. This process of interpretation seems to have the power to invoke clear inner, mental images in the player, which in turn gives strong and immersive experiences. This paper describes a project that explores some of these mechanisms and points out some new potential directions for computer games and game play design