Sound for Games

sound is used in games to create a variety of things. It can create atmosphere, pace and emotion. all of these tasks can be performed well by the right music and sound, helping support and portray the emotions and feeling that go with the certain settings of the game. If there is a fight scene or you are on the run then a fast paced soundtrack supports the action, creating tension. If a deserted eerie feel is needed as the player explores spooky environments then the classical slow spooky music will be used. Sound seems to be extremely underestimated in games when contrasted against visual looks and effects, as afterall people do generally get more pleased by the look of a giant explosion then the sound of footsteps echoing through a hallway. This i believe gives sound in games more of a background role in overall gameplay, but it is still one of the key components in creating an authentic and rememberable gameplay experience.

After doing a bit of homework into the key composers in the games indusrty it striked me that the majority have common traits. For the most part the key composers dont just work in games, they are known throughout all media. Harry Gregson, the man behind all of the Metal Gear Solid soundtracks is also known for his work in the Shrek films and the number 23. Martin O'Donnell has his name to fame through the Halo series and Masami Ueda is the man behind both the Resident Evil Games & Films. This also stirkes me as it comes across as if there are no such things as 'freelance' composers, people that just drift in and out on films and games composing bits and bobs for them here and there, all composers are dedicated to entire series' and are called back in when sequels to a franchise are on the drawing board.

my key sonic moments in gaming history would be a punch up between Resident Evil 2 or Super Metroid. Super Metroid being one of the first full games i played when i was a child, to complete it in under 10 hours was an achievement deemed near impossible and the length of the game meant it had quite the soundtrack to go with it. Also the soundtrack wasnt just some cheesy bit of music that was present on all the other games on its time like super mario, it was one of the first game i played with music that had meaning. each and every theme in the game fitted perfectly. With creepy themes in abandoned areas interrupted by fearful themes when you encounter space pirates. Each zone also had its own theme, electrical fast paced music to complement the zones with lots of action and eerie almost choir like music to accompany unexplored, mysterious zones. this all added to the game and made it on hell of a game for a 8 year old me :D

Resident evil on the other hand goes down as one of my key moments aswell because it had music in it that i ended up getting to hear for years after, giving it a more nostalgic value than anything else. The save room song was one used in every res evil game and one i always remember. After half an hour of running around basements getting your arse kicked your low on health and ammo praying to god your not going to die and have to start over from the last save point, then you enter a room preparing for the worst and you hear the save room song. Instantly you know your safe, no ememies, health, ammo and a save point to sort you out on your way. It was almost like heaven. That on top of the fast paced song at the end always accompanied the laboratory tannoy blaring 'self destruct system has been activated, all personnel evacuate emidiately' res evil has a thing for always having that at the end. When you heard that you knew it was time for the final boss, sort of like a psych up song for the final battle. and its why i love it so much

To end im gonna answer the question is it true that the Nile Rodgers/Bernard Edwards composition 'Good Times' is the most influential recording made in the 20th Century? Well i did some looking up and found the song on ye olde youtube and at first i thought this was a trick question because in my own personal taste that song isnt very good which leaves me to personally answer the question with no. But at the end of the day music is all about personal taste, some people like it, some people hate it, but getting into the likes of that is a bit deep so ill probably go on about that some other day

toodles for now