Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[More on the sound design for Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/more-on-the-sound-design-for-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/more-on-the-sound-design-for-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/more-on-the-sound-design-for-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Yesterday, the Guild Wars 2 sound team got to have a day in the limelight with a video detailing the process of making the sounds that go into the game. Today, the team is back in the spotlight, showcasing an equally-important but slightly different aspect of the audio game. This time, the video isn't showing off getting the sounds just right, it's showcasing getting the sounds to work correctly in the game world, rather than just playing a footstep effect every few moments.

As demonstrated in the video, the team uses a complex dynamic layering system in which several different sounds can have varying levels of volume, frequency, and focus -- as demonstrated by a windmill, which has ten different sounds playing at intervals to create the illusion of wood and cloth slowly turning. Guild Wars 2 players might not find any tips about the gameplay just past the cut, but they will find a video that further explains how you make just the right kinds of noise in the game.

Continue reading More on the sound design for Guild Wars 2

MassivelyMore on the sound design for Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarena-netarenanetaudiobehind-the-scenesdesignguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftsoundsound-designsound-effectsvideoWed, 03 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Going behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2's sound team]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/going-behind-the-scenes-of-guild-wars-2s-sound-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/going-behind-the-scenes-of-guild-wars-2s-sound-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/going-behind-the-scenes-of-guild-wars-2s-sound-team/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Listen for a second. Do you hear anything? Jets of flame being spewed by dragons, the sharp slide of metal on metal, the hard report of a gunshot? Of course you don't because you're not part of the Guild Wars 2 sound team, hard at work for yet another day. But then, even if you were, you wouldn't be hearing a dragon spitting flame -- you'd be figuring out how to make a sound that will tell players that this is a dragon spewing flame, which is a bit harder. (And safer.)

This short video documentary chronicles some of the methods that the team uses to draw players into the game world via just the sound, just to make each little echo sound as immersive and natural as possible. It's a look at one of the more ubiquitous aspects of MMOs that most players don't think about, so if you're at all interested in the design going on behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2, jump on past the break.

Continue reading Going behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2's sound team

MassivelyGoing behind the scenes of Guild Wars 2's sound team originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetaudiodesigndevelopmentguild-wars-2gw2ncsoftnewssoundsound-designvideovideosTue, 02 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR lifts the sound curtain in Friday update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/swtor-lifts-the-sound-curtain-in-friday-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/swtor-lifts-the-sound-curtain-in-friday-update/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/swtor-lifts-the-sound-curtain-in-friday-update/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In video games as in film, sound design is usually something a designer hopes goes unnoticed, but if it weren't there, viewers might think part of the game was missing. Star Wars: The Old Republic is obviously no different, but there is an extra challenge that comes with working on a widely recognized intellectual property. "Establishment of style has to be done a bit more carefully in The Old Republic than in other games; after all, there is a long legacy of signature sounds associated with the Star Wars universe that came out of the films, television series, and even previous games," declares Audio Designer Scott Morton in this week's Studio Insider. Iconic sounds such as lightsabers igniting, blasters firing, droids buzzing, and ship taking off have to encapsulate the Star Wars feel.

Those of you who like to dive behind the scenes of your favorite game should check out the rest of the Studio Insider all about combat sound. In the same article, Senior Concept Artist Clint Young answers fan questions about the visual concepts of Star Wars: The Old Republic. TOR is really appealing to the senses in this week's Friday update.

MassivelySWTOR lifts the sound curtain in Friday update originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareclint-youngEAElectronic-Artsfoleyfriday-updateLucasArtsScott-mortonsoundsound-designStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStudio-insiderswtorthe-old-republictorFri, 20 May 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Earthrise sound effects designer discusses influences and approach]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/earthrise-sound-effects-designer-discusses-influences-and-approa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/earthrise-sound-effects-designer-discusses-influences-and-approa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/earthrise-sound-effects-designer-discusses-influences-and-approa/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Earthrise is the upcoming post-apocalyptic MMO being developed in Bulgaria by Masthead Studios. We've been keeping an eye on this title at Massively, but admittedly it hasn't been that difficult so far. Although Masthead Studios is a comparative newcomer to the MMO industry, the company has been doing a good job of raising awareness of Earthrise through the press, while fostering an active community which is eagerly awaiting beta.

Their latest media coverage comes to us through Massimo Villa's interview with Earthrise's Kamen Atanasov, Sound Effects Designer for the title. The interview touches on how Atanasov progressed from being a freelance sound designer to working on the audio backdrop of Earthrise. If you're curious about the development of this title, check out this Q&A with Kamen Atanasov.

[Thanks, Nolvadex.]

MassivelyEarthrise sound effects designer discusses influences and approach originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alterego-onlinealterego-online-networkalteregonlineatanas-atanasovaudiobulgariacommunityearthriseinterviewskamen-atanasovmassimo-villamasthead-studiospost-apocalypticsci-fisofiasoundsound-designsound-designersound-effectsThu, 21 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cinemassively: A new appreciation for sound design]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/cinemassively-a-new-appreciation-for-sound-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/cinemassively-a-new-appreciation-for-sound-design/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/cinemassively-a-new-appreciation-for-sound-design/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Next time that you watch a machinima, or even a real movie, think about all of the different elements that go into making the film. Most of the time, we see the video and hear the music, but there are also sound effects that enhance the production. Caruu, the sound designer for Acolyte 1.5, has posted a version of the video without music or dialogue, so that the sound effects stand out.

The result is a surprising amount of work that you probably didn't even realize went into the machinima. When you're done viewing and listening, watch Acolyte 1.5 again, and you'll gain a whole new appreciation!

If you have machinima or movie suggestions from any MMO, please send them to machinima AT massively DOT com, along with any information you might have about them.

MassivelyCinemassively: A new appreciation for sound design originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acolyte-1-5behind-the-scenesblizzardcaruucinemassivelymachinimasound-designworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 26 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST