Sound and music in video games: A systematic review of player engagement and a meta-analysis of positively valenced player experience
- 1Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- 2Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
Abstract
Video game sound and music have previously been found to influence player engagement and affective responses during gameplay. However, a systematic investigation into the full extent of these effects has not been conducted. This review examined the influence of music and sound on players’ affective responses and engagement during video game play, with a meta-analysis of positively valenced experience (enjoyment, fun or positive affect). Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, six of which provided data for the meta-analysis. Game audio was associated with more positively valenced experience than silence (g = 0.48, 95% CI [0.22, 0.74]; small-sample adjusted 95% CI [0.14, 0.82]). Heterogeneity (I² = 58%) was accounted for by one self-selected music condition; without it, the effect was smaller and homogeneous (g = 0.34, 95% CI [0.18, 0.50]; I² = 0%). In exploratory subgroup analyses, sound effects showed a consistent benefit (g = 0.46), whereas the added effect of music over game sound was uncertain (g = 0.31, adjusted 95% CI [−0.07, 0.68]). In the narrative synthesis, music and sound were often associated with higher immersion, flow and motivation. Thirteen of the 14 studies were rated at low risk of bias. Evidence that game audio improves players’ affective experience is promising but preliminary; its effect on engagement has not yet been tested quantitatively, and further research and standardisation of methods are needed.
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BibTeX
@article{heikkila2026sound,
title = {{Sound and music in video games: A systematic review of player engagement and a meta-analysis of positively valenced player experience}},
author = {Enja Heikkilä and Andrew Danso and Geoff Luck},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0361519},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0361519},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Sound and music in video games: A systematic review of player engagement and a meta-analysis of positively valenced player experience
AU - Enja Heikkilä
AU - Andrew Danso
AU - Geoff Luck
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0361519
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0361519
AB - Video game sound and music have previously been found to influence player engagement and affective responses during gameplay. However, a systematic investigation into the full extent of these effects has not been conducted. This review examined the influence of music and sound on players’ affective responses and engagement during video game play, with a meta-analysis of positively valenced experience (enjoyment, fun or positive affect). Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, six of which provided data for the meta-analysis. Game audio was associated with more positively valenced experience than silence (g = 0.48, 95% CI [0.22, 0.74]; small-sample adjusted 95% CI [0.14, 0.82]). Heterogeneity (I² = 58%) was accounted for by one self-selected music condition; without it, the effect was smaller and homogeneous (g = 0.34, 95% CI [0.18, 0.50]; I² = 0%). In exploratory subgroup analyses, sound effects showed a consistent benefit (g = 0.46), whereas the added effect of music over game sound was uncertain (g = 0.31, adjusted 95% CI [−0.07, 0.68]). In the narrative synthesis, music and sound were often associated with higher immersion, flow and motivation. Thirteen of the 14 studies were rated at low risk of bias. Evidence that game audio improves players’ affective experience is promising but preliminary; its effect on engagement has not yet been tested quantitatively, and further research and standardisation of methods are needed.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -