Exercise 3: Game Music Analysis & Adaptive Design

Project Overview

Building on Level 6 – Compose Yourself!: The Art of Composing for Games, this project asks you to analyze how games use linear and non-linear music, identify adaptive techniques, and design a music interaction map for a hypothetical level. You will present your findings to the class in a timed presentation.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify differences between linear and non-linear scoring in games
• Examine and label uses of loops, branching, and transitions with timestamps
• Recognize production and design factors that shape adaptive scoring choices
• Apply vertical (layering) and horizontal (re-sequencing) concepts by designing a cohesive music system for gameplay

Deliverables

Class Presentation (7–8 minutes + 2 minutes Q&A) You may present in any format (slides, table, video capture, or document), but include:

• Analysis – 4 Examples

  • For each example, show:
    • Function of the music: mood/tone, time/place, location identity, character, pace, immersion
    • Techniques from: vertical layering, crossfade, phrase branching, musical demarcation, bridge, stinger, horizontal re-sequencing
      • You don’t need to show every technique in each example, but identify at least one per example.

• Music Interaction Map (Design)

  • Diagram of a hypothetical level’s music system, showing:
    • States (e.g., Explore → Suspicion → Combat → Victory → Explore)
    • Vertical stems per state and when they enter/exit
    • Horizontal transitions and techniques used
    • Rules for timing, fade lengths, and triggers
    • Tools:
      • Google Drawings — free, collaborative diagramming app within Google Workspace.
      • diagrams.net (Draw.io) — robust, open-source diagram editor, works in-browser or offline.

Example of a clear interaction map

Assessment Rubric (25 Points)