Sound & Music in Games.

Sound is the second most important feature in a videogame. Games cannot appeal to all the senses but it does a very good job at attracting the eyes and ears. Music plays a dominant role in the creation and participation of gaming. It can be used to influence gameplay, by changing the tempo and awareness of certain events to influence the players behaviour. For example
informing the user of a nearby foe or suggesting danger is nearby. Music is such an important factor when developing videogames. In some cases it can define a title, particularly in popular examples such as 'Halo 3' and 'Star Wars' where the soundtrack is so easily recognisable and powerful it has an instant affect on the player.

Soundtracks are not the only form of sound which needs to be considered when developing a title. Ambient sounds and character voices are another major influence over the impact of a game. For example characters such as the father in 'Fallout 3' is voiced by the Irish actor Liam Neeson. His voice has a certain gravitas which brings a level of quality and power to the
role, making him a lot more noticeable creating a larger impact. Ambient sounds such as explosions and bullet effects, also bring a level of satisfaction to the gamer. There's nothing better than planting a collection of explosives and being instantly gratified with a bellowing sound of dust and debris colliding around you.

Overall sound plays a key role in the whole gaming experience, affecting a variety of factors which appeal to the consumer. Gaming just isn't the same if you have to play it on mute.