⋆ Digital Campanology (ongoing) research work ꩜ supported by Goethe Institut
Digital campanology explores the symbolic, mechanical, and sensory roles of bells and chimes in virtual worlds. Bells often serve as transformative devices, signaling plot advancements, unlocking hidden pathways, or awakening dormant memories. Their auditory resonance bridges time, space, and even realms between players. Below are some examples that highlight how bells in iconic games shape narratives and player interactions.
Some of the bells are:
The Beckoning Bell — Bloodborne
Ringing the beckoning bell grants you the ability to summon another online player into your world. Somewhere out there, a stranger volunteers to co-op alongside you in your quest, blurring the boundaries between solitude and collaboration.
Bell Beast @ Hollow Knight: Silksong
Unreleased game. Bell Beast is an upcoming enemy, and possible mega boss.
The Sacred Chime of Filianore — Dark Souls III
A sacred chime blessed by Princess Filianore, matriarch of the church who rests eternally while cradling a cracked, egg-like shell. The bell is a symbol of divine protection and timeless stasis.
Bells - Tomba 2: The evil swine return
Bells allows Tomba to travel to the location each bell represents.
The Wandering Mausoleums — Elden Ring
Towering walking structures with enormous bells suspended underneath, these mausoleums house the soulless demigods. They roam across the land, echoing with ethereal chimes that herald ancient power.
Young Lord's Bell Charm — Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Bringing the bell to the Dilapidated Temple and offering it to Buddha unlocks a hidden memory—transporting the player to events that transpired prior to Sekiro's journey.
Geomancer's Bell — Final Fantasy XI
A bell wielded as a weapon to summon and control the dead. This magical instrument harnesses nature's harmony while bending spirits to the Geomancer's will.