While waiting to make a formal update to Hydropic’s website and blog I thought I could just post some of the work I did on sound for my Team installation project that was on display at Imagine RIT

While our time alocated for sound was very slim I was able to get some great sounds together for a background track and some key sound effects for our piece. For all the sound I used Audacity with GarageBand, mostly because it’s what I am most familiar with and I knew that I would have to use some MIDI instrument tracks. Audacity was used to reverse certain loops and then to re import those back into Garageband. The cool thing about XNA + Sound is that I was able to throw in the angle of where the sound was originated in-game to give is a more immersive and realistic feel.

The background track was the most crucial. One: how do I create something that wouldn’t drive us or our users insane? Two: how did we want to convey our game? All of  our reference had been on RTS pc games which used a very industrial sound to convey urgency and science fiction. Our game was more light-hearted and would be displayed to all age groups. For inspiration I mainly pulled from Command + Conquer II sound track and Katamari Damacy. The happiness of Katamari proved a good counterpoint to the harshness or Command + Conquer II. I also listened to some of the DJ’s I admire for their music tracks mainly: Deadmau5.

Have a listen: Background Music Track

For sound effects these were slightly more fun having only a few seconds to play with to really convey something that didn’t sound like a garageband preset.

The user’s character had an electrical attack that was triggered in game, I wanted to include a surging, the aftershock, and also the cry of the enemy in relation to the shock.

Have a listen: Avatar Attack

Avatar Die

When the user’s character dies it does this sort of unravel and then explosion of parts. I tried to combine as many bone-breaks, body hits, and other shatters I could along the build up before it resolves with a nice low concussion blow.

Have a listen: Avatar Die

Shield Powerup!

The user’s avatar was able to temporarily gain special power in-game. In addition to changing the avatars physical appearence sound was of great help. In this sound I wanted a build-up that was somewhat dissonant with a sharp resolution and echo to follow.

Have a listen: Shield Powerup

Speed Boost!

The user’s avatar could also gain a short temporary speed boost. I wanted something similar to the Doppler effect when a car drives by: quick abrupt build and a sudden resolution accompanied with an echo.

Have a listen: Speed Powerup

I am by no means an expert, but I did have some fun making these together for our installation and the feedback was good from both other presenters and the team as a whole.