Main game audio components

Game audio, unlike audio a sound designer would compose for film or television, will typically be broken down into three distinct areas as listed here:

• Music: This includes content such as theme or background music, in-game music such as a radio or a band playing, and can even include certain audio effects. Creating or obtaining unique music for your game could be as complex as recording a music track in a sound studio to purchasing rights to a music track of the asset store. In Chapter 10, Composing Music, we will explore how to compose your own unique tunes.
• Sound: This generally includes sound effects, such as creaking doors, explosions, footsteps, clicking, beeping, and many others. Most sound designers or developers will often browse through many of the free or paid sound effects sites to find a sound they like. Another option is to record your own sound effects, essentially becoming a Foley artist. In Chapter 10, Composing Music, we will look at some techniques to create some unique sound effects in software.

• Vocals: The addition of vocals to games is a relatively new addition. Vocals were first introduced in cut or intro game scenes but now they are a main element in any AAA title. Furthermore, most AAA titles will enlist a well-known actor to provide vocals for further enhancement of the game. In Chapter 9, Character Lip Syncing and Vocals, we will cover some details about generating vocals. As well in several other chapters of this book, we will highlight the use of vocal cues in scenes.

While game audio design is similar to film and television, in many components, it differs primarily by its implementation. Audio for film follows a linear well-defined pattern, whereas in games audio is non-linear and may even be dynamic or adaptive. We will of course cover many aspects of how game audio is dynamic and adaptive in the Adaptive Sound and Music section.