Audio Environments and the Psychology

of Sound

Case StudiesAmnesia: The Dark Descent (2010)

Thomas Was Alone (2012)Hotline Miami (2012)

Additional ExamplesDead Space (2008)Journey (2012)

Bioshock (2007)FEZ (2012)

Understand how sound can be used to create very different environments in games

Understand how and why sound can be used to convey information to a player

Understand why this is important in game design

Learning Objectives

Sound vs Music – very distinct categories Influence on mood Use of sound to convey (or withhold) information ‘Interactive Adaptive Audio’ Be able to compare the use of sound in different

genres

Case Study Notes

Key Terminology• Feedback• Ambience• Music• Sound effects

• Genre• Tempo• Loudness

Survival Horror Exploration and puzzles Slow-paced Fictional fantasy setting In-depth health and sanity

mechanics

Case Study Notes

Action Combat and stealth Fast-paced ‘80s Miami setting Relatively simple combat

mechanics

Platformer Puzzles and timing Medium pace Abstract polygonal setting Very simple jumping

mechanics

Pass Merit Distinction

Describe uses of sound and music in games using some

subject terminology appropriately

Explain use of sound and music in

games with reference to

detailed illustrative examples and with generally correct

use of subject terminology

Comprehensively explain use of sound and music in games

with elucidated examples and

consistently using subject terminology

correctly

Grading CriteriaUnit 73: Sound for Computer GamesP1 | M1 | D1