IntoTheVerse — “Level Up: Exploring the Crucial Role of Sound Production in Web3 Video Games.”
Welcome to another IntoTheVerse Journal!
A metaverse that is focused on creating utility, impact and provides players with total control.
“Sound is what truly convinces the mind in a place; in other words, hearing is believing.” (Jesse Schell)
The gaming industry has undergone a major transformation with the evolution of Web3. Whilst Web3 games have prioritized decentralization, blockchain, and player ownership, and as they now start to integrate more complex storylines and artwork, sound production also needs to be considered. It is another key aspect of gaming that is crucial to a game's success but is, however, often overlooked in a player’s gaming experience.
At IntoTheVerse, we wanted to explore the crucial role that sound production plays in video games and how it can be used to enhance Web3 gaming.
What is the evolution of Music and Sound in Video Games?
Video games have an extraordinary history, and music and sound production is no exception in the gaming industry’s evolution.
Due to limited hardware capabilities in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the first video game sounds were simplistic, with popular games like Pong and Space Invaders using electronic beeps to accompany gameplay.
The late 1980s and early 1990s were marked as the 8-bit era when chiptune music emerged to create catchy melodic tunes. Popular examples are games like Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda.
The 16-bit era pushed sound production even further, as music became more sophisticated and of better quality, resulting in more extensive scores and compositions, such as the epic rendition of Final Fantasy VI.
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the advancement of more immersive cinematic soundtracks because CD-ROMs enabled game music to be fully orchestrated. A good example of this is the composition in Final Fantasy VII.
Technological advancements flourished with 3D gaming, and from the mid-2000s onwards, sound production and video game soundtracks reached new heights of quality and complexity. Key examples include The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for 3D Gaming, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and The Last of Us soundtracks, which adapted to the player’s actions to push the atmospheric and emotive scope in sound production.
Why is sound production so important in video games?
It evokes a wide range of emotions
Well-crafted music and sound effects can instill a wide range of emotions in a player as they progress through the storyline. Creating an emotional connection can heighten a player’s investment in the game.
In the video game, Celeste, for example, Lena Raine composed the music to shift and flow based on the player’s progress and emotions. The sound effects of the main character’s movements are all also synced with the platforming mechanics, creating a harmonious and responsive gameplay feel.
It creates an alert system within the gameplay
Effective sound effects and music can act as a warning or a trigger to alert players that they are in danger, whether or not they have been successful in a task, and provide key information about the storyline, hints or clues, and specific characters.
In the video game Resident Evil 2 (Remake in 2019), the low groans and growls serve as audible cues that players are close to the undead, even if they are not immediately visible, and the music becomes more intense and menacing in boss fights.
It creates an atmosphere in the game
High-quality sound production, music, and sound effects can create the ambiance and atmosphere of the game, which contributes to the game’s setting, theme, and tone.
In the video game, The Last of Us, the music soundtrack sets a melancholic tone and sets up the post-apocalyptic world. Triggering audio cues, such as the approach of infected creatures, add to players’ sense of awareness and immersion. The attention to detail even encompasses sound cues of the leaves rustling and floorboards creaking, as well as shaping the emotional arcs of characters to create unforgettable sound production.
It contributes to the Storytelling and Artwork
Music and sound effects enhance the game's narrative and artwork as iconic themes or sound effects can become synonymous with certain characters or moments within the storyline, leaving a lasting impression on players long after they finish the game.
The video game Journey (2012) relies on non-verbal communication to convey its narrative through music. The music and sound effects were also synchronized to align with pivotal moments, such as soaring through the landscape, to elevate a player’s engagement and the game’s lasting emotional impact.
It creates a distinct game identity
Well-crafted theme music and sound effects can become so memorable that they distinguish a brand from other games on the market. This can contribute to a game’s popularity and longevity.
The video game series, The Legend of Zelda, has become an iconic favorite with players. Its theme music and sound effects have shaped its unique brand identity through clever melodies and strategic emotive timing.
Accessibility
Well-placed theme music, audio cues, and sound effects can provide crucial information, especially for gamers who are visually impaired and can make the game more accessible to the mass audience.
The video game Overwatch prioritizes accessibility by offering options for colorblind players, customizable visual settings, and audio cues for important events and abilities. These features ensure that players with various impairments can enjoy the game and compete on a more level playing field.
How can sound production be expanded in Web3 Games?
Sound production in Web3 games can be expanded through the use of blockchain technology and decentralization. Some of the best ways to expand sound production in Web3 games are:
NFT Sound Production
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) can potentially be combined with specific sound effects and audio cues in a game. Players would then be able to own, sell and trade these NFTs, enhancing the rarity and long-term viability of an in-game asset.
Decentralized Audio Platforms
The quality of in-game music and sound effects could be vastly improved by using decentralized audio platforms that increase the efficiency of how audio files are managed and delivered to players via blockchain technology.
Interactive sounds
Web3 has the capacity to create dynamic music and sound effects that respond to the actions of players through the use of smart contracts. Smart contracts have predefined rules encoded in them, which can be set to define triggers for audio events based on certain player actions, such as, in a boss encounter or when a player enters a new area.
Sharing sounds via interoperability
Blockchain technology enables developers to share in-game assets across multiple platforms. This opens up the prospect of sharing sound resources and creating a shared library of high-quality sound effects and music, which can be used across multiple games, saving developers time, money, and resources.
Decentralized Storage
Traditional video games host their audio files on their centralized servers, but Web3’s decentralized storage means games can ensure all players have reliable and secure access to audio assets.
Real-Time Sound Mixing
Mixing real-time sounds can ensure a game flows as the player journeys through the levels and adapts as the in-game conditions change. By adjusting the audio levels of different sound elements, Web3 games can create a more immersive experience and promote new levels of innovation in sound production.
In conclusion, sound production plays a crucial role in Web3 because it harnesses the power of blockchain technologies to enhance soundtracks so that they respond to player actions and improve the overall gameplay. By utilizing decentralized data storage, real-time access, and NFT-based assets, sound producers can combine creativity and technology to create new soundscapes and ways to make gaming come alive with music.
Stay tuned for more tech articles from IntoTheVerse.
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Aimee Gilmore is a Creative Writer at IntoTheVerse. Come say hi to her on Twitter or Discord.
