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ZiNgA BuRgA · 19/05/2008 09:47 PM

Have been recently playing some Banjo Kazooie, and I really liked how the music "morphed" depending on where you were. I really haven't seen anything similar in any other game - in fact, the music is always fairly "static" (a song, then if you go into a battle, for example, the song changes etc).

In fact, most audio sounds seem to be fairly static - I mean, even in numerous recent games, your footsteps sound pretty much the same (with some exceptions of some terrain).

With games aiming for awesome graphics and physics, do you think that the audio department isn't getting enough attention these days?

Hellgiver · 19/05/2008 10:04 PM

Absolutely. I definitely am an audiophile. I must have music with me at all times. And I always have been quite fond of video game music. However, I wish they'd put more effort into them. A game I always enjoyed on the PS3 for how it integrated music (in fact, it is music oriented) is called Everyday Shooter. It is like asteroids, and you have to figure out what the pattern is that allows for bonus points, since each level has a different way of giving bonus points. The level lasts as long as the song that plays for the level. When you shoot, it adds certain notes to the song, and when you kill an enemy, it adds its own sound to the music. Also, fl0w has no music, but based on your movements and such, it forms its own "music" by a combination of different noises, even though you probably wouldn't classify it as music. It still has its own auditory uniqueness that is enjoyable in its own way.

However, I'd like to see more unique techniques used in actual retail games, and not just shooter type games that add notes and such to the musical score, since that is all I can recall at the moment.

Syfe · 19/05/2008 11:46 PM

UT3's Music changes based on what's happening... unreal also did the same

Chaos Panda · 20/05/2008 04:01 AM

i luv banjo kazooie

roberth · 20/05/2008 04:02 AM

Yeah, but the majority of games don't do it

Im with you guys, music is possibly the most important part to the atmostphere of a game

When a designer doesn't bother with the music, sure its ok, but when a designer goes that extra mile and really tries, it shows

Sparker · 20/05/2008 04:05 AM

yeah Banjo Kazooie has been one of my favs since I was a kid, soon I've forgotten about it until many years later people all over my were playing it on Project 64.

I do like the audio part of Banjo Kazooie too, though Banjo Kazooie for the 360 is...... described as Shadow the Hedgehog of Banjo Kazooies.

roberth · 20/05/2008 04:07 AM

ive still got Banjo, i have my N64 hooked into my PC using a TV card...brilliant use of the second ariel plug imo :D

Chaos Panda · 20/05/2008 04:10 AM

yea i really like a game if i find the music is involving and that it changes your mood. Silent hill, the music just makes u paranoid. it really deepens the atmosphere and the way you feel when you play it. I really respect the creators of silent hill for that.

and the random footsteps coming from all around u... i shat my pants

ZiNgA BuRgA · 21/05/2008 05:53 PM

One of the other things you may have noticed.
In older games, where the sound ability of the consoles weren't as good, typically the music was more musical. However, for more recent games, they've become more "ambient" (ie they don't really sound good if you listen to the music by itself).

What do you prefer?

roberth · 22/05/2008 04:07 AM

I think it depends on the game really
I enjoy game soundtracks, but, for some games id rather have a more atmostpheric track that didnt sound so good by itself...

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