Unit 73: Sound for Computer Games

L3 Extended Diploma in Games Design

Unit 73: Sound for Computer Games

I will be showing different five soundtracks from different games. The sound track are: “Guardian” (Darksiders 2), “This is what you are” (Warframe), "Fight Club" (Assassin’s Creed 3), "Last Of Us (The Last of us) and “Stains of Heresy” (Darksiders 2). I will be writing; about who composed? What was the intention was for? Did it had importance within the game? Bur I will first talk about wavelength, foley and timber.

Foley and Timber

Foley is used in multitudes of studios, and just in gaming. Like TV studios, film productions, anime, cartoons and etc. This can be down by creating artificial sound, making it sound like sound got slap. By hitting a slab of meat. This is usually done when the visual representation is completed.

Timbre is used as a particular musical sound differentiator from another musical instrument, even when they have the same pitch and loudness. For instance, it is the difference between a guitar and a piano playing the same note at the same loudness. Experienced musicians are able to distinguish between different instruments of the same type based on their varied timbres, even if those instruments are playing notes at the same pitch and loudness.

Soundtracks:

Darksiders 2

Now, first game’s soundtrack, I will be talking about is Darksiders 2. The sound track are “Guardian” and “Stains of Heresy” composed by Jesper Kyd. The song was intended when the player reached a point in game when they had to battle a boss. “Guardian” and “Stains of Heresy” were used to create some tension for player, making it feel like it’s going to be challenging. After the game was released and completed, developers and musicians were credited for gameplay and the soundtrack.

Guardian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yIwPovQKxQ

Stains of Heresy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HetplknU1pc

Warframe

Second game is Warframe. I personally and currently still playing this game for past two years (same game), but almost three. But the point the soundtrack “What you are” was used proper moment when I biggest questions were answered in game. A lot players in Warframe had positive reaction because how the story was told, also how they used it right moment. Most players reacted to soundtrack because it gave a resolution and including mysteries feel to it. The composer of the soundtrack is Keith Power.

This is what you are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqdii8S9JTk

Assassin’s Creed 3

Assassin’s Creed 3 is part of franchise that is going on. This game is currently the fifth generation. This game as a lot of good soundtrack. The one that stand out to me is “Fight Club” that is composed by Pavel Chistov. This game used when player versing a group of enemies, more enemies, more intense it is. This used multiple times in game, even who hate the game, like soundtrack.

Fight Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy-EP8B01tc

The Last of Us

The Last of us is know for its good gameplay, story and soundtrack. The soundtrack that got most people interested is "The Last of Us" composed by Osvaldo Golijov. The soundtrack is used when moment get at most depressing points. Like tragic deaths, flashbacks and etc. The soundtrack of the music is used to tell the player its "drama is going to happen".

The Last of Us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwDkutphzmU