The Beginnings
Why were early game sounds so iconic? How were they developed?
Sound Design in Video Games:
The Roles and Responsibilities of Sound
Sound design is important in both being the main character in video games as well as taking a supporting role alongside, both not limited to, the game’s animation, VFX, sound effects and narrative. It can enhance the interactivity of video games and be triggered by the game’s dialogue, cutscenes, actions and ambience. This begs the questions:
“What is the purpose of audio in games? What makes a player turn up the volume in a game instead of streaming their favourite music playlist?” (Sinclair, 2020:30-31)
This website is an introduction to the roles and responsibilities of sound design in video games using Jean-Luc Sinclair’s textbook Principles of Game Audio and Sound Design : Sound Design and Audio Implementation for Interactive and Immersive Media as a guide for the design principles behind sound design as well as the conceptual challenges faced by game designers.
The Evolution
How did video games continue to be so popular?
The Future
The video game industry becomes on par with the novel, music and film industry, modern technology is being developed and techniques are established.
Information
“Data + Context = Information”
Immersion
Being “physically located in an environment different from their actual environment, while also not realizing the role technology is playing in making this happen”
Entertainment
The soundtrack of a games, including that of music, dialogue and music, is expected to be “exciting, larger than life and original.”
Interview #1
An interview with a long time variety player.
Interview #2
An interview with a content creator and games journalist.
References
Documented references used for research.