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[The Daily Grind: What game sounds do you like the best?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/the-daily-grind-what-game-sounds-do-you-like-the-best/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/the-daily-grind-what-game-sounds-do-you-like-the-best/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/the-daily-grind-what-game-sounds-do-you-like-the-best/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sounds may always get the back seat to graphics and animation in MMOs, but in my opinion they're just as -- if not more -- important than what you see. If you'll allow for a bit of cultured snobbery, a game with lackluster sound effects are just so... so... pedestrian. Common gutter trash, even.

I'm always keeping an ear out for great sounds in the games I play, such as the meaty thwack of a sword slamming against a mutated iguana or the sonic boom of a misfired mage spell. One of the things I love about RIFT is how the sounds are muted when you're underwater or near death; it's a small touch, to be sure, but it helps to pull me into the world even more.

Are you somewhat of an audiophile? Then today tell us what MMO sounds you love the best. Are they spells, attacks, NPC noises, ambient sounds, or something different completely?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What game sounds do you like the best? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiophileopinionriftrift-planes-of-telarasnobberysound-effectssound-wavessoundstdgthe-daily-grindTue, 05 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX08: Talking with Champions Online's content lead, Zeke Sparkes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax08-talking-with-champions-onlines-content-lead-zeke-sparke/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax08-talking-with-champions-onlines-content-lead-zeke-sparke/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax08-talking-with-champions-onlines-content-lead-zeke-sparke/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


After speaking with John Layman at PAX08, our second Champions Online interview was with content lead Zeke Sparkes. We talked sound effects, travel powers, character creation, controls and zone creation among other things. In fact, we actually got a short period of hands-on time with the game prior to the interview.

So far, Champions Online had only been playable with the Xbox 360 controller, but we were able to finally try the keyboard and mouse controls at PAX. Instead of hitting a face button on the Xbox controller to do your basic attack, you tap an assigned number-key on your keyboard. As you do this, you build up energy and can move through the rest of the powers, which for us were set to the rest of the numbered keys. Overall, the keyboard and mouse controls feel tight and responsive for a game scheduled to launch in Spring of 2009.

Continue reading PAX08: Talking with Champions Online's content lead, Zeke Sparkes

MassivelyPAX08: Talking with Champions Online's content lead, Zeke Sparkes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championschampions-onlinecharacter-creationcrypticcryptic-onlinefeaturedjack-emmertjohn-laymanjoystiqfeaturespax-08pax-2008pax08pcpenny-arcadesound-effectstravel-powersxbox-360zeke-sparkeszonesMon, 01 Sep 2008 17:00:00 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[NCsoft Audio Director reveals his old-school secrets]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/ncsoft-audio-director-reveals-his-old-school-secrets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/ncsoft-audio-director-reveals-his-old-school-secrets/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/ncsoft-audio-director-reveals-his-old-school-secrets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

He uses an electric razor on a frying pan for a space ship sound. He uses marbles in his mouth to sound like an alien. No, this isn't a low-budget director in a 1950's monster movie, this is the brilliant work of NCsoft's Audio Director Tracy Bush who uses everyday household items to create the unique sound effects we've heard in some of NCsoft's top games of the last 4 years.

If you've ever played Dungeon Runners, you know that along with the wonderful sense of humor in the game, the sound effects are equally as entertaining. The same goes for Tabula Rasa. The Bane drop ships and the horrifying whispers of "Kill them all!" are all part of this wonderfully immersive experience that is just as important as graphics, gameplay or anything else in the game.

So the next time you're playing a North American NCsoft title, listen closely to the sound effects and see if you can guess which household item was used in its creation.

MassivelyNCsoft Audio Director reveals his old-school secrets originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 May 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austindungeon-runnersncsoftncsoft-north-americasoundsound-effectstabula-rasatracy-bushWed, 14 May 2008 13:30:00 EST