In today’s gaming industry, the game audio importance cannot be overstated. A well-crafted game audio experience is crucial for the success of any game, as it plays a vital role in engaging and immersing players in the game world. From setting the mood to enhancing gameplay, the significance of game audio importance is evident in various aspects of game development. In this article, we delve into the different ways that game audio importance impacts player experience, and why it should be a top priority for every game developer.
Join us as we explore how game audio can make or break a game, and learn how to create an unforgettable auditory experience for your players.In this article, we delve into the different ways that game audio importance impacts player experience, and why it should be a top priority for every game developer. Join us as we explore how game audio can make or break a game, and learn how to create an unforgettable auditory experience for your players.
Here at Flutu, we believe that Game Audio is a deciding factor on whether a game is a success or a flop. Even the best game can be dragged down by poor choices on the sound department. Today, let’s take a moment to talk about the fundamentals of what can make or break a game.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see people underestimating the impact that great game audio assets can have on a player’s experience and perception of a game. It can be unnoticeable for some Game Devs and I’m here to discuss how game audio is a vital tool to implement on a game. I’m Vic Hime, VGM composer and creative director here at Flutu Music.
This article is about what I’ve been showing my clients during our meetings and how I feel Flutu can collaborate in projects, adding richness and uniqueness to games.
Are you building a game? Tell me about your project visiting the “Tell us more!” section of the website, I will be happy to assist you with all your questions regarding music and audio for games!
IN GAMES, THE MUSIC AND SFX PLAYS A VITAL ROLE & SUPPORTS:
Player Engagement
Music and SFX makes the gamer feel the game atmosphere and the overall vibe. While, without any sound at all, a game can get really boring – try muting off all sounds from your favourite games, to get a sense of what I’m talking about. On the other hand, sounds and music without enough variation can get tedious to listen to, it can get repetitive and feel like a dull loop. That’s why working with a game audio composer can make a great difference in your game engagement.
Game Immersion
Immersion is a concept that’s on every game designer’s mind, and it is totally related to sound. Without it, you will most likely feel that there is something missing and that the game experience isn’t as fun or fulfilling – unfortunately the player will leave the game with the absence of “game immersion”. Think about the classics, what was playing during your last boss fight? Did you notice how music helped you pass that level? Well, next time you whistle that catchy melody from a mobile game, you will remember how immersive your experience was.
Mood setting & scene setting
As in the film industry, music and sfx in games can set the mood of a character, fight and dialogs. For instance, if your game is set in a futuristic world, the music and sound direction should follow this lead. For this kind of game, we’ll be thinking of more euphoric, urban and energetic sounds . If your game is set in medieval times, on the other hand, that is the feeling you want all sounds to transmit, a dungeon atmosphere with hints of danger and adventure. Getting the mood right means bringing life to your game. In contrast, bad music can ruin the game experience.
Navigation
In games where the player must find a hidden object or follow a certain not-so-obvious path, music and sfx can be the compass that guides the player. We can use sounds and melodies to guide the player on where she/he must go. The absence of sound, for instance, can let the player know something’s wrong, they have strayed too far from the path. If the player has encountered a new location or new character, music may help them understand how important that seemingly innocuous piece of set design is for the quest. Music also helps the player to understand the story and to engage more with characters within a game.
Now that you know the importance of game audio, I recommend reading the article Pros and Cons of Creating your Own Game Audio Assets, where we dig into aspects you should have in mind before starting your game audio project.
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These are just a few ideas that you must have in mind whenever you are building a new game. Talk to a composer as soon as you can to identify the moods and the feel you are aiming for. We are dedicated to serving your game, and so our job consists of finding ways to bring your ideas to life and that’s awesome!
Here at Flutu Music we have a bunch of cool artists waiting for your call to start making music, tell us about your project on the “Get a Quote!” section, it would be great to hear your ideas!
That’s all for now, I hope you all stay safe and keep on keeping on!
Cheers, Vic