Two Major Games Events Held at ARUCAD

Two Major Games Events Held at ARUCAD

Arkın University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD) hosted two major events in January, each highlighting a different aspect of the gaming world: game music, sound design, and digital game production. ARUCAD Soundtrack Week, organised by the Department of Sound Arts and Design, took place at the Bandabuliya Campus in Nicosia between 19 and 23 January 2026. Before this, GAME EXPO 2026 was held on Friday, 16 January 2026, bringing together student-developed digital games and visitors.

Game Music Week: Exploring Sound, Music and Interaction

Game Music Week examined the role of music and sound in video games through both theoretical and practical sessions. The programme included academic talks, workshops, listening sessions, gameplay screenings, live‑music gameplay performances, and student presentations. Key topics ranged from soundtrack analysis and musical themes as narrative tools to interactive sound design and performance approaches shaped by gameplay.

The week’s sessions were led by ARUCAD Sound Arts and Design Department Head Asst. Prof. Dr. İnal Bilsel, Lecturer Ataman Kınış, guest speaker Doğu Zaifoğlu, and Başar Ünder from Bahçeşehir University. Together, they explored game audio as an interdisciplinary field connecting composition, technology and interactive media.

One of the most notable events was a performative gameplay session based on the classic game Another World. Held on Thursday, 22 January, the normally music-free game was played live while performers improvised a musical score in real time. This unique experience highlighted the dynamic relationship between gameplay, sound, and music.

Reflections from the Contributors

Opening the week, Asst. Assoc. Prof. Dr. İnal Bilsel spoke about his personal connection to game audio:

“As a child in the 90s, I grew up as a gamer. Games like Another World directly shaped my relationship with music and sound. Its atmosphere and minimalist sound design have always inspired me.”

He explained that Game Music Week began as a single‑seminar idea but expanded into a full programme:

“Workshops, seminars, listening sessions, and gaming areas were added over time, turning it into a comprehensive week-long event. It encouraged students to question sound and music in games from new perspectives.”

Lecturer Ataman Kınış emphasised the interactive nature of game audio:

“Game music and sound design respond to the player’s actions, unlike linear media such as film. Throughout the week, we aimed to give students hands‑on experience in how game sound is produced and implemented.”

Guest speaker Doğu Zaifoğlu, a Cypriot composer, guitarist, and sound designer with more than seven years of experience in game audio, also shared insights from his workshop. Zaifoğlu has contributed to numerous independent game projects and works extensively with the Wwise audio engine. His 2025 solo EP Mesophyll blends orchestral, ethnic and atmospheric elements with a progressive approach.

“Interaction is one of the most fundamental aspects of game music,” he said. “We explored how music reacts to locations, scenes and player decisions. This helped students approach both games and music production more holistically.”

GAME EXPO 2026: Student Games on Display

Held just before Game Music Week, GAME EXPO 2026 showcased original digital game projects developed by Digital Game Design students throughout the semester. Focusing on game mechanics, visual language, narrative structure and interaction design, the exhibition allowedvisitors to experience the games firsthand.

A standout achievement was the release of TyreUp: LeftRight on the Steam platform. Developed by students Metehan Bozdağ, Buğra Şanlı, Tatiana Kozlova, and Yiğit Oruç, with contributions from Seden Bozdağ, the game represents a significant milestone—demonstrating how ARUCAD student projects can reach professional digital platforms.

Reflecting on her experience, Sound Arts Design student Jasmin Köşemehmetoğlu said:

“The game I played most in my childhood was Minecraft, and its introductory music has always stayed with me. Thanks to Game Music Week, I’ve started thinking about sound and music in games much more consciously.”

A Multi‑Layered Creative Environment

Together, these two events created a rich environment where game music, sound design and digital game production converged. For students, academics and visitors, ARUCAD offered a vibrant space for learning, experimentation and creative exchange.

Source (Turkish): Arkın University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD)

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