Sound in video games
Over the coming months I am going to explore and look at sound in general, sound storage, sound file formats and the effects of the format on the sounds and most importantly, sound in computer games. As well as producing sounds for a game, I will also be researching the use of sounds in gaming, the effects they have and the lengths gone to in order to attain them. Sound in computer games generally has one purpose; to improve the overall game play experience. Of course, this is at different levels. A strategy game is going to have very different sounds to an interactive music game like Guitar Hero. In my game I will include sound effects, these will be planned and pre meditated before I record them, therefore I won’t have to use the preset sounds that already exist in the software that I will be using.
The game I am producing is story based, so it should have a narrative {of sorts} running through it. By this, I can use voice recordings instead of, or with text on screen. I can also use this as a narrative or as my character reading something. This makes the game more immersive and again, the overall game play more enjoyable by the audience. My target audience was children, therefore adding a narrative would be helpful so they know exactly what they’re doing in the game.
Although I’m producing Sound Effects, and Voice Recordings, I can also produce introduction or background music. This doesn’t have to be some sort of radical masterpiece. However, it should be a soundscape in order to give the audience a feel of the game and the correct environment and be fitting with the theme of my game.
The software I will be using for the sound effects and voice recordings is Audacity. This is because not only is it a free programme but also quite advanced with a simple interface. This means I can achieve what I need and more without having issues with software limitations, plus it is multi platform. It can use most sound formats, and convert from one to another. This is an advantage to me, because I might need to change the file formats of my sounds. For the mixing together, editing and finishing of my sounds I shall be using Garage band. This is because it will give the product and more polished finish and I can work on my game at the same time as Garage band is Apple software. I can use any other software I want, but I think I will stick to these two, mainly Audacity. This is because I have access to Audacity at home and therefore won’t have complications with file formats.
So, what is the purpose of sound in computer games and why is it necessary? Humans have five sense; Taste, Smell, Touch, Vision and Hearing. Although no person is the same, we all know how we like to have information presented to us, and how our brains like to take the information in.
Some people are spatial learners and learn through images, they make the most out of their vision sense. Some people are Kinetic learners and learn through physical sensations like touch. Some people are language orientated learners, and learn through sound. In order to have an immersive experience, and use the most of your surroundings, you have to engage all five senses. This isn’t possible in every circumstance; as yet I don’t think we’ve had a ‘taste-o-vision’ development. However, covering 3/5 senses would be a start.
So, to make a game immersive you must first start with the most obvious sense; Vision. Game graphics and game play have been developed and developed and developed and developed to the standard we have today, now looking at 3D gaming.
Although everyone’s art style is different and everyone should have their own opinion of what they like and it probably wont be the same as the next persons, we have to look at the facts that technology has moved on and not only can drawing be converted into a full work of digital art but it can now be digitally animated, coloured, brought to life, loved and put in a cut-scene.
The amount of work that goes in the game concept art through to the finish product is phenomenal.
The above pictures show Alice: Return to Madness, this is a game to be released in June 2011. The game developers have realsed the concept art and screen shots of some of the game. The picture of the Left shows the concept art, and the picture on the Right shows the actual game play.
So, you have the first and foremost sense of vision.
Now you need Sound, or hearing. Some of the best films are the best films because of the music that’s in them. Good film music is able to :
- establish atmosphere, time and place.
-Move the action forwards.
- Describe a Character.
-Acknowledge a change in the scene.
- Add dramatic impact.
A recent release, Dead Space 2, is said to be easily one of the scariest games to date. This is majorly because of the edgy game play and the emotive music. All of the music used in the game was released as an album due to the high demand in people wanting to know the composer.
Dead Space 2 Soundtrack - 2. Much Ado About Necromorphs