Buzz
When I sat down to write this piece, I found myself easily distracted. My desk was full of snacks calling my name. New emails were piling up, and I had multiple articles to write but couldn't decide where to start. That’s when I turned to Spotify and pressed play on the theme from The Sims. As the lively, wordless tune played, my writing started flowing effortlessly. I felt more immersed and productive than I had all morning. The reason is simple: Video game soundtracks are perfect for boosting productivity. Sara Chodosh, writing for Popular Science, explains how video game music can motivate you and help maintain focus, especially during tasks that require minimal mental effort. It’s embedded in the design of the music itself.
There are multiple advantages to choosing video game soundtracks over your usual playlist. For one, they typically lack lyrics. A 2012 study involving over 100 participants found that music with lyrics often distracted people while studying. The study suggested that instrumental music might be better for maintaining attention and enhancing performance in professional settings. Another study conducted in open-plan offices in Finland showed that workers performed better at proofreading tasks when there was continuous, non-verbal sound in the background. Video game soundtracks would perfectly fit this requirement.
Moreover, video game music is designed to complement the task at hand without causing distractions. These compositions are intended to be played on repeat, gradually blending into the background while you’re guiding Mario through the Mushroom Kingdom or helping Link rescue Zelda. My friend, Josie Brechner, a composer behind the music for games like the recently released Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King, confirms that game music is specifically crafted with this purpose in mind.
"In essence, great video game music strikes the perfect balance between being captivating and thrilling, yet not so overwhelming that you want to rip your headphones off after hearing it for the 10th or 100th time," says Brechner. Game soundtracks often use repetition mixed with variations on musical themes to keep players engaged, but still focused on their task. "This method works well for other types of work that require sustained attention and concentration."
If you're an especially high-strung worker, you might prefer calming classical music or a track designed specifically to help you relax. However, if you're tackling a Monday morning full of expense reports, a fast-paced track from a game where your Sims are constantly eating or using the bathroom might be a better choice. (It can also boost performance in more dynamic tasks: Other research suggests that moderate background noise can enhance creativity.)
These kinds of tracks are so effective that entire playlists dedicated to video game soundtracks for studying exist online. One of these includes music from games like The Legend of Zelda, Skyrim, Super Smash Bros., and more.
However, the impact of certain theme songs on your productivity may depend on your individual preferences. A 2010 study on elementary school students found that while calming music helped with math and memory tests, music perceived as harsh or unpleasant caused distractions. Personally, I found the intense chanting of the "Dragonborn Theme" from Skyrim distracting, yet the energetic tune from Street Fighter II got me pumped. Video game scores offer a wide range of styles—after all, the music for a battle scene doesn’t suit the atmosphere of a puzzle game. Not all of them will suit you, but given the nature of video game music, you likely don't need much variety in your work playlist. If you can play a game for hours, you can certainly repeat its soundtrack while working.
