Ryan Thompson

Ryan Thompson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Media and Information at Michigan State University. He specializes in ludomusicology, focusing on sonic activity in video games, musical reuse, and the role of sound in game design.

• Education: Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Minnesota (2017).
• Research: Examines nostalgia in video game scoring, remasters, and sonic communication in gameplay.

Ryan's recent publications include A Far-Off Memory: Kingdom Hearts III and Musical Reuse (2023), which analyzes the interplay between 3D animation and audio in game franchises. His research intersects with trends in Japanese-style roleplaying games and retro-inspired sound design.

He co-hosts the Twitch stream Ludomusicology Thursdays and organized the 2024 North American Conference on Video Game Music at MSU. Ryan advocates for public-facing scholarship connecting game scholars with industry professionals.