Sound For Computer Games

L3 Extended Diploma in Games Design

Unit 73: Sound for Computer Games

Lecturer: Josh Rai

            AIMS:

            Understand the use of Sound and Music in Games.

            Recognise the sources of Music & FX available and legal considerations needed whilst obtaining, creating or using sound.

               P1 - Exercise

1.      List a range of music/FX sources. They could have used an orchestra or a choir to get a certain feel to the game that could not be achieved through non live music. They could have also if it was a shooter they would have needed to go out and record the sound by using the weapon themselves to get original sound.

2.       Using at least 3 of your favourite games explain the purpose of game music.

You need to consider: mood, action, suspense; intro sequence; closing sequence; credit sequence; plot advancement; interactive adaptive music. The first game I’m going to look at for its sound effects and music which creates mood, feeling, suspense which is key to make the player feel the emotion of desperation, joy and sadness which can make the player feel emotionally attached to the character. This can help the player get into the game more and feel like they really do have the responsibility that the main character has, it also is a way to make the player get more ‘hyped’ up for the battle if there is music that makes it feel more ‘epic’. It also ties in the sad music necessary to give the emotion to the player and try and make the player feel upset which indicates what the main character is feeling the same.  One song which is famous for the sad moment at the end of halo 3 and also containing the most epic songs in a game which would hype up anyone playing the game. The second game I’m looking at for music and sound is Gears of War which again has good music that again sets the tone for certain feelings so that the player can experience what the character is feeling which makes the player feel more involved in the game, which is why music for games is important to the player. The sound for games can also help with the players’ emotion which again helps the player care more for the people in the game and this can make the player play even better sometimes when certain music plays and they feel the same emotion this can drive the player to try harder and sometimes even play differently if they connect to the game. One example that could be used is when Dom dies in Gears of War 3 which was when the joint main character dies and with the music playing it is considered one of the sadist deaths in gaming history by many people. The third game I’m looking at is Assassins Creed and this uses music to show character emotion and to make the player feel the same feelings too, they mainly play music when a main character dies or during battles to make the player get into the game better. It also has music at the end during the credits so that the player is aware that they have finished and it so they can sit back a chill after have completed the main mission and putting a lot of effort into the end.

3.      What are the legal considerations needed when obtaining or using Music/FX?

You can refer back to your Unit 1/Unit 78 tasks. You would need to make sure you have permission to use the music if you use a song by an artist, but if you don’t have permission you could receive a heavy fine and would need to take it out of your game or you could be taken to court if they didn’t give you permission. The same could be used if you wanted to use already used FX by another company, but if you used it without permission and not paying to use it again you could receive a fine and even go to court. So it is important for them to ask otherwise there could be a big financial loss.