sound in games

Sound in games is used for an array of different purposes, some help the player find things, others confirm an action has been completed whilst it simply could be menu music or epic battle music, one of my favourite game theme tunes is duke nukem.

classic duke nukem

 One interesting type of sound in games are ones that don’t happen in real life or are over exaggerated for example on a game I have played when you hold down the aim button it will make a sound of pistol slide going back into position or "chik" sound. I’m not sure whether this to make you aware you have pressed the button or just for effect. I reckon it’s just for confirmation of an action as it happens on many games when you pick up items aswell.

resident evil 5

 

Sounds are very powerful and can evoke emotions and trigger memories as hearing a certain song may make you think of a certain event in the past etc. there are so many classic sounds and songs I can remember from games then again some sounds I think would be obvious to many people like sonic the hedgehog jumping as it’s such a unique sound.

sonic 3 & knuckles

other sounds in games that i remember are the gta series becuase especially in gta 3 the characters said such weird and random things when you run past them in the street like "Yep, I've been drinkin again" which i found amusing or when you hijack a taxi "Get in the back, aaaah!". i also remember going to a fast food resaraunt in gta iv to have the employee say "bon apetit motherfucker" after buying a meal which i remember finding hilarious and kept buying food until i heard it again.

gta 3

As games have changed alot in recent years i can't really think of anything musically i can really relate to a game however if you played me a song from a level in say crash bandicoot i would be able to tell you what level it was from. i understand its not the most serious of games and aimed at children but im currently remembering music from different levels as i write this and i havent played the games in years so it shows how much sound can trigger memory and asociations.

crash bandicoot

there are a few well know composers and artists who have created music for games such as Trent Reznor(quake,COD:black ops 2) Hans Zimmer( COD: modern warfare 2 and crysis 2) and Michael Giacchino ( call of duty:finest hour, medal of honor:airbourne) notice that all three have worked on a call of a duty game, this is probably because it has become such a huge cash cow for activision. not only are well known artists contributing music to games but also people like skrillex using a song in a level for blackops 2 and also avenged sevenfold having a gig style music video at the end of the game with 3d models of the band members and the story characters rocking out.

black ops 2

overall sound is definitely important to games as if you have ever played one with the sound off its very strange and it can be the sort of thing where if its there you don't really take much notice or take it as red but when its absent you know straight away something isnt right.