Not many people would connect video game music with nostalgia, but Professor Vincent Rone of the FUS Sacred Music department, did just that. On Thursday, Feb. 5 at 5 pm, he gave this lecture as part of the Society of Catholic Scientists’ recurring STEMinar series

Walking into classroom 224 in Christ the Teacher, attendees were greeted by the sight of cookies and milk, some snacks to munch on while listening to the talk. The talk was split into two parts: what is nostalgia, and how does it relate to video game music? 

Rone began by setting a scene. In the summer of 1999, he and his friends played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. He explained that they would light a scented candle when playing the game, which he admitted was a bit ritualistic, and would spend hours enjoying the game. Now, when he plays that game or smells that scent or hears that music, he’s transported back to those days. 

Rone discussed how the definition of nostalgia has changed over time. From the ancient Greeks to the modern day, the perception of nostalgia has shifted from being viewed as a pathology to a way of selling things or an emotion to elicit in order to sell something with a sense of familiarity. 

Rone defined nostalgia as “a wistful longing for a bygone past.” He connected it to psychology’s definition as “an emotion including bitterness and sweetness.” However, Rone reminded his audience that there are many different types of nostalgia precisely because nostalgia is such a personal emotion. 

Many things can trigger nostalgia. Rone emphasized that music can be one of its strongest triggers. 

Rone went on to discuss different musical techniques that can make video game music nostalgic. The first technique he mentioned is evaluative conditioning, or in other words, “leit motifs.” This is when a certain musical phrase is played consistently when a certain character is on screen or a theme is being represented. 

For example, when Star Wars fans hear the Imperial March, an image of Darth Vader immediately comes to mind. The reason video game music may evoke more nostalgia through leit motifs is because they are especially immersive. 

“No other audiovisual media does this…” Professor Rone said, “The world responds to your input.” 

As the talk concluded, Rone asked if anyone had any questions. A couple students asked about the content of the talk, quickly followed by many others raising their hands to ask if he had heard their favorite video game soundtracks.

The STEMinar series will continue discussing various topics of science and technology on Thursdays at 5 pm throughout the rest of the semester.