08Making It Good

Summary: The roles and function of audio in games, mixing

Project: DemoCh08SpaceShip01 Level: SpaceShip01

Introduction

For a long time sound has developed with the aim of matching the increasingly photo-realistic look of games, hence “making it sound real”. It’s true that to some extent, one role of sound is to support the visuals by creating a sense of reality, adding weight and substance to what are after all simply a bunch of pixels. However, the exclusive pursuit of realistic sound displays a lack of understanding about how the human brain deals with sound. Here’s the key point, and it’s a biggie—with regards to the human sensory system, there’s no such thing as ‘reality’ when it comes to sound. Take a moment, breathe ...

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