Bassin. Reclaiming game engines to create atmospheric soundscapes

Abstract

This Master's thesis explores the artistic and compositional potential of commercial game engines through the development of 'Bassin', a digital prototype that repurposes Unreal Engine 5 as a tool for sound-based expression. Drawing on concepts such as slow play, refrain, and the ambience act in relation to generative music, the work examines how atmosphere and interaction can be shaped through adaptive audio systems and subtle visual design. 'Bassin' invites players into a meditative, cyclic experience that balances interaction and observation. At its core lies a modular MetaSounds system that uses a personal archive of audio material, enabling generative compositions to evolve within a self-contained environment. The project critically reflects on the platformization of game engines and proposes an alternative approach that values slowness, reflection, and atmospheric presence as meaningful modes of engagement.