Sound in Video Game Immersion

The podcast discusses the importance of music and audio design in video games. It explains how sound design enhances immersion and sets the atmosphere in games. Examples are given from the games God of War 4 and Summerville to illustrate the impact of sound on player experience. The podcast concludes that while graphics are important, sound and audio design play a crucial role in player immersion and storytelling in video games. Good evening everyone, my name is Drew and welcome back to another late night casual gamercast. The intro music you heard for today's podcast is the opening theme to God of War 3 released in 2010. In today's episode we'll be going over an important concept in determining on what makes a great video game. When judging a video game, most casual gamers only judge what's on the surface, such as the gameplay, graphics, characters, and story, but what about the things behind the scenes? One of those important elements is music and audio design. We know it's there and appreciate a good soundtrack when we hear one, but many of us in the community truly don't realize it's true potential. One thing that sound design does well is making video games feel more immersive, but what does immersive even mean? Well, immersion is a state of being deeply engaged or involved, so in other words, it would be the level of how much of your attention is focused or absorbed in the game you're playing. The pacing of the game is important for players to feel immersed in their experience, and that sound design sets the atmosphere between transitions from one scene to the next as players are kept within a smooth and seamless flow of the gameplay. To give an example of my point of view, listen to the opening theme of God of War 4 released in 2018, which is about Kratos, the former Greek god of war, and his son Atreus traveling to the highest peak in the nine realms to spread the ashes of fey while battling the Norse gods and monsters, and see if you can figure out the overall theme and atmosphere of the game. In stark contrast to that of God of War 3's opening, God of War 4's opening theme emanates elements of sadness, loss, and mourning, unprecedented motifs not found in past entries which were centered around revenge, chaos, and bloodlust. In a blog post by Bear McCreary, the game's composer, this was his justification for the transition for this new theme. These assets showed me that Kratos had matured, that the story would explore deeper themes, and that there was a new central character by his side, his son Atreus. Atreus isn't just a new character for the sake of a new game, but there to show Kratos tread on unfamiliar grounds of being a single father from the start of the game, which creates an empathetic bond between players and Kratos as we watch Kratos change from being a cold teacher who's afraid to open up to Atreus, to a father who realizes who he was doesn't matter as Atreus is not his past, but his son. Listen to this next part, not only does McCreary set the tone for this emotional journey, but he's able to transition smoothly from the intro into the next scene when Kratos is introduced. The scene goes from being sorrowful to a deep powerful theme highlighting Kratos' strength and masculinity that's represented by the assertive bass and male vocals, a theme that's nostalgic to returning players of the God of War series and show that Kratos is still the same warrior even if he's matured a bit. Another video game that excels in setting the atmosphere in each scene is Summerville, a recent indie puzzle adventure game about a man surviving an alien invasion in search of his family, and within the game there is no dialogue, nor a prominent soundtrack as most of the audio in each scene is only filled with the ambience of the environment or the creatures that stalk you around the dark corners. In this next clip, it's a scene where the main character has to sneak his way on a pack of aliens. The lack of background music or any organic noise creates a gloomy immersive atmosphere where you're meant to feel all hope is lost, which forces players to focus on any little sound that's given to them. The minimal audio design emphasizes the importance of sound, almost as if the game is telling you not to take sound for granted. However, when the only thing you can hear is the growling and clicking of these quadruped creatures looking for their next prey, this creates tension as players are kept at the edge of their seats with no choice but to slowly move in a tactical manner so as to not get caught. Although the game has minimal sound design, there are a few sections with small background instrumental music that's presented to emphasize the emotions that are given off from the environment. Listen to this next scene as the main character is slowly limping his way in a supermarket that's been fashioned as a shelter for survivors. A long depressing piano plays in the background that is reflected upon the state of survivors who feel more anguish than relief for the safety within the walls. However, just when things are starting to break down for our main character, stringed instruments are introduced and get louder as a child and wife emerges from one of the illuminating tents in the shelter. Then the music quiets down into a soft yet soothing piano that's different from the preceding dispiriting piano theme as this one is more hopeful as the welcoming cries of his wife and cooing of his baby fill the atmosphere of the dark shelter. For the first time in the game, both the player and main character are able to feel hope with relief and smile at this reunion. According to Rod Monday, a lecturer in digital culture and gaming at Eversworth University, there are three main fields in which sound and video games interact with players' experiences. From our two examples, we're able to perceive how sound affects the perception of players and their action within the game world, and how sound affects the story that takes place within the world. While graphical fidelities and visual presentations of video games continue to be the hallmark of technological advancements in the world of video games, sound and audio design will always bring impact to player immersion as this important element will reflect upon the actions of characters and strengthen emotional aspects within great storytelling. And with that, thank you to everyone for listening to today's podcast, and I hope to have you return for another Late Night Gamercast next week.