Week 18 assignment

Sound has always been a factor that has been present in computer games. Even when considering the earliest of games like pong. However sounds used in computer games today have evolved vastly in comparison to pong where sound would be used to indicate an action or effect, also the sounds created would be basic one or two tone sounds showing that at this time only simplistic sounds were implemented into games. Whereas in games of this generation music and sound is essential to gameplay as sounds are not only used for an action, but music is also incorporated into games to set the mood of the game.The film director Danny Boyle has even quoted that 70% of a film relies on sound and music to become successful, which just goes to show how much films rely on sound, and as more and more computer games of today come closer to simulating films the more they shall rely on sound to create a mood making a more effective gaming environment.

Even looking at the credentials of composers like Bill Brown you can see that their music varies over to different genres of games much like they would for films. Like for instance Bill Brown has composed horror music for 'return to castle wolfenstein' and then composed more action based music for C & C Generals. However i noticed that this composer has also crossed over into film and composed dramatic music for the film Ali, which just goes to show that professional composers are used in both film and games of today.

It is also interesting how music also influences other artists, like the song good times has been an influence to artists like queen, sugarhill gang, grand master flash and even Duran Duran. Showing that music can be taken and evolved into new forms and used for other mediums like games and films.

moments in my own gaming history where sound has played a vital role has been in the game Alien Vs predator as the marine class. This class of the game was easily the scariest and most exciting role, as the sound of the movement sensor that the marine has usually panics the player especially when nothing can be seen visually. these occasions would usually occur when battling aliens in a dark corridor!