Musical orientation in virtual space: videogame score and the spatiality of musical style and topic

Abstract

ABSTRACT Digital geographies and musical geographies are proliferating. This article considers a topic at the intersection of both: videogame music. It argues that, through attention to such music, geographical approaches to videogames, and to music, can be radically expanded. Specifically, it argues that instrumental score, increasingly employed in major videogame franchises, should be subject to greater focus. Close analysis of instrumental score offers new ways of understanding the spatiality of musical style, structure and form. This article illustrates the potential of greater geographical engagement with instrumental music through the case study of the Legend of Zelda: one of the most popular videogame franchises. It concludes by suggesting new directions for research in the geographies of gaming, and in the geographies of music.