Acoustic research from audio specialists Alpine Hearing Protection has identified video game music as an effective tool for deep work, with Minecraft and Animal Crossing leading a new study on audio profiles suited to study and concentration.
The investigation analysed the acoustic characteristics of popular gaming tracks, evaluating variables such as beats per minute (BPM), dynamic range, perceived loudness, and frequency energy. The findings indicate that minimalist, non-lyrical game audio provides a consistent soundscape that reduces cognitive strain while minimising external distractions.
Understanding the ‘Lock In’ Phenomenon
In modern digital culture, “locking in” refers to entering a state of hyperfocus or deep flow, in which individuals eliminate ambient distractions to sustain peak productivity. While study playlists traditionally feature lo-fi beats or classical compositions, younger demographics increasingly rely on video game audio. A cited Classic FM survey notes that 21% of people aged 18 to 24 now listen to video game tracks while studying.
Video game audio is explicitly composed to support sustained engagement without demanding conscious attention. Tracks designed for exploration or management titles maintain even volume levels and avoid sudden tonal shifts, helping players stay immersed in a task for hours at a time.
Gaming Soundtracks Head to Head
The study evaluated tracks across ten specific acoustic metrics to generate a focus score out of 10:
| Rank | Track | Game | BPM | LUFS | Dynamic Range | Focus Score (/10) |
| 1 | Sweden | Minecraft | 87.6 | -26.79 | 0.0856 | 9.27 |
| 2 | New Horizons | Animal Crossing | 99.4 | -25.26 | 0.1049 | 8.98 |
| 3 | Spring (The Valley Comes Alive) | Stardew Valley | 117.5 | -23.61 | 0.1073 | 8.62 |
| 4 | Lost Woods | The Legend of Zelda | 132.5 | -20.91 | 0.1207 | 8.30 |
| 5 | Mii Channel | Nintendo Wii | 114.8 | -18.23 | 0.2051 | 8.26 |
| 6 | Gusty Garden Galaxy | Super Mario Galaxy | 101.3 | -18.06 | 0.2068 | 8.18 |
| 7 | Wii Sports Theme | Wii Sports | 120.2 | -17.44 | 0.2237 | 7.88 |
| 8 | Geometry Dash Menu Theme | Geometry Dash | 129.2 | -17.17 | 0.3271 | 7.83 |
| 9 | Subway Surfers Theme | Subway Surfers | 120.2 | -11.74 | 0.4192 | 7.66 |
| 10 | Coconut Mall | Mario Kart | 132.5 | -14.12 | 0.2645 | 7.55 |
Taking the top spot, Daniel Rosenfeld‘s Minecraft composition “Sweden” recorded the lowest tempo at 87.6 BPM alongside minimal treble energy and low perceived loudness (-26.79 LUFS). This arrangement provides a steady ambient background that prevents cognitive fatigue.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons followed closely with an 8.98 score, providing a slightly quicker 99.4 BPM pace while maintaining controlled dynamic variance. For tasks requiring higher tempo, Stardew Valley placed third with 117.5 BPM, offering added bass drive while avoiding abrupt sonic peaks.
The Psychology of Background Stimulus
Dr Max Doshay, PsyD, Co-Founder and CEO at KMN Psych, said in a statement:
Silence is boring. But if you’re watching TV while doing homework, it’s too much. A good gaming soundtrack fills that space perfectly. It doesn’t have many changes. Most video games have music with no singing. So, this kind of music can give you something to listen to without requiring your full attention. If you are writing papers, doing laundry, etc., and want some stimulation, but don’t want to get distracted by a show or movie, then a gaming soundtrack could fill the bill.
Many of us have positively associated the music in our favorite video game titles (Minecraft, Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing) with the idea of exploring new environments; achieving something; relaxing; or reaching a goal. This means when you listen to music you are very familiar with, you don’t always need to pay close attention to what is happening. The comfortable familiarity of the sound becomes enough of a distraction to keep your mind off seeking another source of stimulation for the next few minutes.
In addition to cognitive elements of ‘locking in’, if an individual has habitually played the same gaming soundtrack each time he/she starts studying or begins work, the soundtrack will eventually act as a cue that he/she is starting (as opposed to magically improving his/her focus). This familiarity, along with the manageable stimulus from the music and the learned association between the two, helps explain why some individuals find gaming sounds especially effective during focused activities.”
Arthur van Keeken, Chief Executive Officer at Alpine Hearing Protection, said in a statement:
Not everyone concentrates best with sound. For some people, even calm background music can become another source of distraction. In those cases, reducing environmental noise can help create a more controlled space for focused work. Earplugs such as Alpine Silence soften the stimuli just enough to focus, without missing out on the world around you. They can be particularly useful for students working in shared accommodation, busy libraries or other environments where they can’t control the noise around them.”
Marketing Data Meets Real-World Noise
While this analysis functions as commercial marketing for consumer audio products, the underlying acoustic principles highlight an important reality for gamers and creators alike. Controlling ambient noise is essential not only for quiet study at home, but also in high-volume environments.
Major gaming expos, esports tournaments, and tabletop conventions regularly generate prolonged noise levels that exceed safe listening thresholds. For attendees spending full weekends on crowded convention floors or in tournament halls, filtered ear protection cuts acoustic strain and auditory exhaustion while keeping conversations legible.
Readers who want to manage ambient noise during study sessions or protect their hearing on busy convention floors can explore the full dataset and product range through Alpine Hearing Protection UK.
