Jaar 2 - Game Audio Design Homework 1

Instructors: Richard van Tol & Sander Huiberts 

Assignment:

prettyuglygamesoundstudy.com
1 example of good audio in a game with argumentation
1 example of bad audio in a game with argumentation

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Pretty Game Audio: Red Dead Redemption

Description:
"Natural background sounds" such as the birds in the sky, the horse galopping, people talking, a bar piano, wind blowing or crickets chirring in combination with the subtle overlay of a western movie score really creates a unique atmosphere that immediately sucks the player into this world.

Also in the beginning of this clip you have an element where the screen changes in color and a sound that reminds me of being underwater blurrs over the background sounds which add to the playing experience by supporting the feeling of being highly focused and sharp of the surroundings.

Ugly Game Audio: Lollipop Chainsaw

Description:
Besides that this is an absolutely ridiculous game its audio is annoying as hell.

The sound does not fit the images on the screen and on top of that cannot decide wether it wants to be anime or hack'n'slash. So it tries to be sarcastic about both genres and mixes chainsaw sound elements with glittery achievement feedback and adds a typical "everything is awesome" highschool teenage girl's voice on top of everything. Since that does not seem to be enough punishment they add a head, that is hanging on the characters belt, constantly making unnecessary, non-relating nor funny remarks during the fight sessions and leaves me only with one question: why?!