Image Source: “synthesizer buttons” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by MobyRichard
Think of the game of bingo and what springs to mind? Probably it conjures up images of elderly folk of a certain age hunched over their cards marking off numbers with their dibbers. Yes, this used to be what the game was all about, back in the day. But the arrival of online bingo sites has changed all this. Today, bingo is an exciting vibrant game that has attracted a younger audience than ever before, with a strong accent on millennials.
Image Source: “Bingo-Balls” (CC BY-ND 2.0) by digby fire dept
So when anyone chooses to play online bingo games there are several surprises in store for them. The first is the sheer variety of games on offer. Some are pretty straight versions of the old favorite while others are themed around TV shows like Deal or No Deal. Some even have links to popular slots games and these go by the name of “Slingo.” These are different from standard bingo because the numbers appear on slots-style reels and the games feature various kinds of bonuses to standard bingo.
But the changes to the world of bingo haven’t just affected the way the game looks and plays. There have been big moves in the way it sounds too. So virtually all of the best games out there have great soundtracks that make the playing of them even more enjoyable. When developing a new game, the way that it sounds is treated with almost as much attention as its visual styling and theme.
This is because it’s long been established that the sounds we hear when we’re engaged in a particular pastime or activity can have a strong effect in many ways. The first, and most obvious, is the effect that music can have in affecting our emotional reaction to a situation. Think of all those movie soundtracks that swell at times of high emotion, or become jagged and disturbing to tie in with shocking moments on screen.
Of course, the music behind online bingo games doesn’t deal with these highs and lows of emotion. Instead, it’s there to promote a feeling of fun, excitement, and anticipation. In turn, this makes players feel more actively engaged with what’s going on in front of them – and more likely to keep playing right to the end of one game and right into the next one.
Given that the business model of any online bingo site relies on keeping players entertained, it’s no huge surprise that music plays such a big part. There have even been academic studies made of the effects that the background soundtrack can make in gambling scenarios so it’s a well-established phenomenon.
Naturally, it’s also a good way of “branding” a particular bingo game, or group of games, so there may well be repetitive jingles incorporated into the overall soundtrack, just like in lots of the most successful adverts over the years.
So next time you’re playing online bingo, don’t just wonder at how the game has leaped into the 21st century. Keep your ears open for some killer soundtracks and earworms too!
As an artist or composer, you are constantly looking for ways to improve your music. One great solution can be getting your hands on a high-quality performing mic preamp. The Focusrite is an excellent device that offers a brighter sound and allows you to record and mix at ranges up to 192KHz. Additionally, it can pair well with a range of sound software tools like Tone Bundle, Ableton Live, and so on.
