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Hello!
Hello!
Yo! I'm Neo Louis Ramos. If you're curious, yes, I was named after The Matrix. I grew up here in Hawai'i on the south-side of O'ahu in Ewa Beach. In 2021, I graduated from James Campbell High School under the Creative Media Academy with a passion for games and music. If I were an artist's tool, I would be a reference board. As I design games, I pull inspiration from my life experiences, the media I've consumed, and the perspectives I've formed as a result. Like a reference board, I take these inspirations and form them into new ideas.
Research Topic: Effects of Music & Sound Design on Player Experience in Video Games
Research Topic: Effects of Music & Sound Design on Player Experience in Video Games
Research Question: How do sound design and music affect player experience in video games?
Research Question: How do sound design and music affect player experience in video games?
Abstract:
Abstract:
This project explored the fundamental role of sound and music in shaping the player experience of video games. Sound, encompassing music, ambiance, dialogue, and SFX (sound effects), is paramount to the success of a video game. Tracing the historical development of game audio, from video game history's primitive monophonic chiptunes to the interactive, dynamic soundscapes of today’s games, the paper will utilize the Theory of Flow, and most notably, the SCI model, which suggests that immersion is a multidimensional phenomenon consisting of sensory, challenge-based, and imaginative immersion. Based on academic studies, game developer and composer interviews, and case studies like Skyrim, Crypt of the NecroDancer, and Hitman: Absolution, the study demonstrates the effects of sound on players' cognitive, emotional, and physiological responses. The findings indicate that sound is a central component of gameplay design, player experience, and interactive narrative, thus concluding that sound design is a critical element in building interactive game experiences.
Capstone Project: Video Game
Capstone Project: Video Game
Project Title: Incessant Rain
Project Title: Incessant Rain
Capstone Proposal:
Capstone Proposal:
CREATIVE PROCESS:
CREATIVE PROCESS:
The concept of creativity has come a long way. The Old Greeks would call those creative forces muses, other religions referred to them as God. Today people still mostly treat creativity as an aha moment outside the area of influence. However, just by looking at the creative process one can tell, that creativity and creative work is more than just that one "Aha-Moment" (insight). It is clear that generating ideas demands planning and preparation, identifying something of interest like a problem, an opportunity or a challenge, doing research. This then leads to thinking of a solution, allowing time to incubate and iterations before arriving at something “complete.” Students learn that hard work is what makes their ideas come to life and sticktuiveness is what helps them get better.
DELIVERABLE:
DELIVERABLE:
For his senior capstone, Neo designed an original video game built around his own music to explore how sound fundamentally shapes player experience. Grounded in his research on game audio—from early chiptunes to today’s interactive soundscapes—he applied theories such as Flow and the SCI model, which frames immersion through sensory, challenge-based, and imaginative dimensions. Drawing on academic studies, developer interviews, and case studies like Skyrim, Crypt of the NecroDancer, and Hitman: Absolution, Neo demonstrated how music, ambience, dialogue, and sound effects influence players’ emotional, cognitive, and physiological responses. By integrating his original compositions directly into gameplay, he showcased sound not just as an add-on, but as a core element of game design, narrative, and immersion. His project highlights the power of audio to transform how players feel, think, and navigate interactive worlds.
Go and check it the game!
Go and check out his original music!
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