Diegetic Music

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Synopsis

Music happening in the game world.

Relationships

Context:
Narrative , Emotional Script .
May relate to:
Contextual Music , Musical Outcome .
Makes use of:
Music , Acoustic Ecology .

Description

Diegetic Music is the particular exploration of Music in which the player acknowledges that such music exists inside the game world. In that sense Diegetic Music can be directly explored as an element of the Narrative.

Diegetic Music may be the Musical Outcome of some designed game activity. It may also be the Music that characterises a certain game context (Contextual Music).

The inherent integration of Diegetic Music in the game world makes holds the potential to make it fit naturally the Acoustic Ecology of the game.

Examples

Bioshock: This game makes a extensive use of Diegetic Music, with an unusual Aesthetics, that highly contributes to the game's acoustic Signature. In this particular (and relevant) scene it is being performed live.

Grand Theft Auto 4: When driving it is possible to choose the kind of Diegetic Music by changing the radio station in car's radio set.

Heavy Rain: In this particular scene, the player participates in the playing of a piece of Diegetic Music. This scene fits perfectly the mood and the moment in the Narrative.

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Far Cry 2: A Radio tuned in the local radio station is a common finding

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory:

Silent Hill 2:

Rez:

Halo:

The Legend of Zelda:Ocarina of Time:

Loco Roco: The music is vocalised by the Loco Roco (we can see their mouths moving). In addition, the more the Loco Roco the more the number of voices.

External Resources

• Some definitions of 'Diegetic' and 'Diegesis'
  • http://www.answers.com/topic/diegesis
  • http://www.allwords.com/word-diegetic.html (senses 1. and 2.)