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audio within game design
Integrating a comprehensive audio design into the
overall game design
Most aspects of a game design will influence or be
influenced by audio aspects
The importance of audio is now more widely
accepted
AAA quality audio will not make your project
“game of the year” on its own.
Every single “game of the year” winner has
had AAA quality audio.
There are an increasing number of franchise
titles being developed
Within a franchise title most of the issues of
usability rights you will encounter will be in
regard to audio material
Non franchise titles will have a very different
series of issues that may effect audio
production
franchise titles
Very rare to be allowed to use original music
Original dialogue may be difficult to get
Extra dialogue from original actors very
expensive
Even original sound design may be difficult
non franchise titles
All material must be created from scratch
Licensing of music expensive
Using sound libraries means you sound like
everyone else
Good voice acting is important, but expensive
Quality is perhaps even more important
iconic audio
Light sabre
Falling down sound from Half life
Imps from Doom
Lara Crofts voice
Music from Mario
the design
A comprehensive audio design is as useful as an art bible,
concept sketches or an animatic and an important component in
the creation of a successful game title.
The lead artist and lead audio designer are the two people
outside of the design team on a project that should have a
complete understanding of the overall vision of the project.
The lead audio must have comprehensive knowledge of
every element of the game in order to successfully create
and implement the required audio.
the design
The usefulness of an audio design
At the very least it’s a list of required assets
A schedule of when assets will be recorded/created
A booking sheet for studios, musicians, equipment
A style guide for the audio team (includes external audio creators)
Requirements for legal consideration (licensed music rights etc.)
game audio
Music
Sound effects
Voice over dialogue
game audio
Music
In game music
Cut-scene music
Front-end music
Credits music
Pre rendered movie music
Music for marketing (promotional movies etc)
Music for websites
game audio
Music
Will the music be recorded with live musicians?
How much advance booking time will musicians
and facilities require?
Are there licensing issues?
Is it a franchise where there are tight style constraints?
When will the franchise style guidelines be available?
game audio
Music
You WILL NOT get the rights for the franchise music
You probably will not be able to afford the franchise
composer.
You will encounter the problems of keeping
everyone happy
Non franchise titles have their own problems
planning
In depth awareness of the project
Clear understanding of timeline
Understanding of expectations
Plan early and thoroughly
Implement late and efficiently
planning
Money can solve most problems
Thorough planning can avoid most problems
Sound libraries? would you reuse visual assets
Communication communication communication
Audio designer
Game designer
Publisher
Franchise controller