That specific rising jingle from classic stealth games means one thing instantly: you've been spotted. The stealth alert sound cue borrows that exact recognition-and-panic moment for any clip capturing someone getting caught.
Where this sound cue comes from
This sound is tied to the rising detection alert used in stealth-based games, signaling the moment an enemy notices the player and shifts from unaware to alert. 
A cat wrapped in a blanket with the words me after plans fail above it — view on SoundGIFs That rising pitch pattern became so widely recognized that it now reads as "you've been caught" even outside its original gaming context.
Why the sound instantly communicates detection
The escalating tone mimics the actual feeling of being noticed and reacted to in real time, which is exactly why it works so well as a stand-in sound for any getting-caught moment, gaming or otherwise.
Using it in gaming clips
This sound cue fits perfectly for stealth-game gameplay clips, timed to the exact moment an enemy notices the player, but it also works for any gaming clip capturing a similar surprise-detection beat, even outside a dedicated stealth game.
Beyond stealth-specific games
This sound has spread well past its original genre, working for any gaming moment involving an unexpected reveal or a sudden shift from calm to alert, regardless of whether the game itself has a formal stealth mechanic.
Applying it to real-life clips
Beyond gaming, this sound cue works nicely for real-life clips of someone getting caught doing something they shouldn't be — applying the same "you've been spotted" framing to a genuinely relatable, non-gaming moment. Timing it right at the instant of realization gets the strongest comedic effect.
Pairing it with a reaction
This sound often gets paired with a follow-up reaction sound or clip right after the initial detection cue, similar to how the the anime wasted fail sound effect for gaming clips can follow a moment of getting caught with a dramatic failure beat.
Conclusion
The stealth alert sound cue turns any getting-caught moment into an instantly recognizable comedic beat. Browse SoundGIFs' sound effects library for more sounds built for gaming and reaction clips.