College Honors Program

Latin in Video Game Music: the Persisting Importance of Classics in Video Gaming

Date of Creation

5-17-2024

Document Type

Campus Access Only

Abstract

Video games have grown in popularity and relevance in global significance since the mid 1980’s, proliferating into a cosmopolitan art medium occupied by European, American, and Japanese companies exchanging and navigating their cultural differences. Within this globalized art form, elements of Greco-Roman society have become prevalent. Many facets of Classics can be found in games, including historic figures, ancient texts, and allusions to Roman society. The Latin language in particular is commonly found in video game music in a variety of game genres. This paper discusses the use of the Latin language in video game soundtracks in order to understand the place of Classical languages and culture in modern media. Through the analysis of over 130 video game tracks featuring Latin, I argue that the Latin language denotes a religious, historical, and serious atmosphere that players of all nationalities can recognize and understand. Games strategically employ Latin in religious settings, medieval or ancient historical eras, or during important and emotionally impactful plot points and combat sequences. These emerging themes demonstrate that both Latin and classical history serve as a representational language which the modern viewer can interpret to express religion, ancient history, and gravity, regardless of its cultural boundaries.

Comments

Reader: Timothy Joseph

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