Week 18: Sound in Games

This weeks blog task asked about Sonic Landscapes. I didn't know what such a thing was beforehand but now I do. A Sonic Landscape is the layering of sound to produce the effect of a 3D space. I found a useful link on the Bethesda website which fully explained what it was and how it was produced using the example of Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. To gather an idea of what he meant, I ran to youtube to find myself a video of what he was describing and fully understood what it was. Unfortunately, the video didnt have the footsteps which were described. I was hoping for something like Kingdom Hearts where its easy to hear every footstep, even with all characters wearing oversized clown shoes. I know most games nowadays do have footsteps but KH just had them cartoony sounding. It was nice.

Of course sound is used in many other contexts during games. We have gunshots, swords clashing, firing magic, opening doors and gates and all other manner of trees and winds howling. In an ideal game, a player will not notice the sounds that go on around him. MAking things as seamless is the job of everyone in the games industry. If something stands out, it probably is wrong. When sounds are like those in real life and seem entirely natural, we become integrated in the game and fully feel everything going on around you.

When it comes to the best Sonic moment in my history, I can't really pinpoint a moment as they never really stand out to me. Thinking back, the majority of games I've played don't tend to have these Sonic Landscapes for many different reasons. If I had a 360 or a PS3 I may notice but looking at the games on my shelf I really cannot see that many that have it. In recent years I would have to go with Zelda: Twilight Princess. Riding across Hyrule field on Epona is pretty awesome, hearing those Wyverns in the sky and the constant thundering of the footsteps really immerses you into the game. Or, as I prefer, Lake Hylia. The tranquil music that plays in the background which goes perfectly with the ambient water babbling away. If you swim around in the lake towards the waterfall, the sound begins softly and turns into a loud roar while sitting right underneath it. In the middle of the lake the cannon shop, crossed with the music hut also layers into casual water and plays over the top of the lakes BGM.

ANOTHER HONOURABLE MENTION: During bosses and mini-bosses in The Wind Waker play a chord everytime Link's sword connects with the enemy. I really loved that. An example of it is shown here