Have you ever wondered why some games draw you in more than others? The answer is sound design. Players often overlook the art of audio design and how it can affect their overall experience when playing a game.
Sound design includes all the audio aspects of a video game, such as effects, music, spatial audio, and even voice acting. Without these elements, a game may not feel as immersive. In this post, we explain the importance of sound design and how it can impact your gameplay.
The History of Sound Design in Games
The first game that was developed using sound design was a game called Pong, which was released in 1972. However, there wasn’t any music present, only a series of blips when the ball hit a surface.
Then, in 1980, Namco released Rally-X, which was the first video game that featured continuous music. It was a simple melody that looped throughout the game.
Video games from the 70s and 80s often featured music with a series of bleeps and bloops. This style of music became known as chiptune. The tracks were made up of simple melodies that often featured three synthesized waveforms and one noise channel for sound effects.
Chiptune is still popular in today’s culture and can feature in throwback titles. Designers still use 8-bit to produce textured sounds for certain genres like retro puzzle games.
Why is Good Sound in Games Important?
The visual aspect of games is what usually captures your attention. But sound can add another layer of depth and realism to the video game experience. However, if the sound design is done incorrectly, it can have a negative impact on your gameplay.
Music producers must use the appropriate ambient noise, sound effects, and background music so players can feel fully connected and engaged when playing. A professional music designer will know where to place specific sounds in a game, whether it’s between scenes, levels, or boss fights, so that the player doesn’t feel confused.
Setting the Mood of the Game
The background music and sound effects play an important role in setting the tone and the right mood of a video game. Using sad music in a game that’s considered to bring joy and excitement to a player can be confusing or out of place.
With that being said, upbeat background music and sound effects can induce an adrenaline rush, so players feel like they need to push forward in a fast-paced game. A video game that requires a lot of jumping and running must have faster tempos.
Ambient sounds are ideal for fantasy games where you’re running through forests or fields to collect items. It creates a relaxing environment where you don’t have to rush to finish a level.
Eerie sounds can make a player feel like they need to get to safety or create a prolonged sense of foreboding. These sorts of background scores are ideal for thriller or horror-themed video games.
Bringing the Game To Life
Players want to feel like they’re fully immersed in the game they’re playing. For instance, there are certain games where sound effects like footsteps vary depending on the surface the character is running on. Small details such as this can add to the player’s overall experience.
It’s important for sound effects to match the visual aspect of the game. If a character pricks a balloon with a pin, there should be no other elements except for a loud pop.
Gameplay Feedback
Background music, voice acting, and sound effects also have a practical element in video games. These sounds provide feedback to a player, signaling when there’s a change in the game or an action they need to take.
Loud music could signal that there is a boss fight approaching. A certain sound effect can indicate that the level has been completed. This sort of feedback can help players make informed decisions, like switching to a weapon that’s better at killing certain types of enemies.
Your hearing is meant to pick up patterns and signals in the world around you. Therefore, auditory feedback is the best way to give players cues in video games.
Final Thoughts
Excellent sound design can provide spatial awareness so players can find objects or locate enemies. Without the proper audio designs, players may feel frustrated and lack an emotional connection to a game.
Hearing is so ingrained in us that we often overlook how it can impact our daily lives. When you play games, begin to pay attention to the audio and see how it makes you feel. That is the power of sound design!
