Sound Design
Ongoing coverage on Sound Design.
Latest coverage
A Forza Horizon 6 Sound Effect Might Just Trigger Some Awful Memories For You
Forza Horizon 6 features a car horn sound effect that mimics the Microsoft Teams notification, a callback to its publisher, Microsoft. This sound effect, also present in Forza Horizon 5, has elicited humorous and sometimes negative reactions from players. The game has also set new player count records on Steam and is currently available on PC and Xbox Series X|S, with a PlayStation 5 release planned for later this year.
The Steam Controller Features A Very Familar-Sounding Easter Egg
The Steam Controller has been found to feature a hidden Easter egg where it plays the Wilhelm Scream sound effect when dropped from a height of approximately three feet. This discovery was confirmed by GameSpot, highlighting the playful nature of Valve's engineers. The article advises users to test this feature in a safe, cushioned environment.
Opinion: Pokémon Pokopia Shines Brightest In Its Subdued Moments
This opinion piece highlights the exceptional sound design and music in Pokémon Pokopia, suggesting it's a key element that elevates the game beyond its core gameplay mechanics. The author praises the dynamic soundtrack that evolves with the environment and the subtle environmental audio cues that enhance immersion, even comparing its musical approach to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Aphelion’s Audio Team Explains Its Immersive Soundscape
The audio team behind Aphelion discusses the game's immersive soundscape, focusing on the narrative-driven music by composer Amine Bouhafa and the sound design choices aimed at conveying loneliness and tension. The team highlights influences like the film Arrival and the challenges of creating unique audio for the creature known as the Nemesis.
BAFTA: Clair Obscur och Dispatch vinner lika många priser
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Dispatch were the biggest winners at the BAFTA Games Awards 2025, each taking home three awards. Clair Obscur was named Game of the Year, also winning for best debut and best lead performance for Jennifer English. Dispatch received awards for best animation, sound, and supporting performance for Jeffrey Wright. Arc Raiders was recognized for its multiplayer component.
007: First Light’s Newest Dev Diary Has Audio Director, Composers Discussing Sounds and Music
IO Interactive released a new developer diary for 007: First Light, featuring audio director Dominic Vega and composers The Flight discussing the game's music and sound design. The episode highlights the considerations for creating Bond's audio experience, including character motifs and location acoustics, with recording sessions at Abbey Road Studios. 007: First Light is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on May 27th, with a Nintendo Switch version planned for summer.
SacriFire's Revelations: Echoes of Antioch
Pixelated Milk has released the third chapter of their 'Revelations' dev series for SacriFire, focusing on the game's sound design. Audio generalist Miku Łapacz details how influences from Persona and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure shaped the sonic identity, discusses foley work for character movements, and explains techniques used for maintaining audio immersion during cutscenes.
"I wanted you to feel bad": former Battlefield audio designer recalls punching himself to record more realistic gunshot screams
Former DICE audio director Bence Pajor discussed his methods for creating realistic gunshot sound effects for the Battlefield series, including punching himself to record authentic screams of pain. While aiming for immersion, some colleagues found the sounds too disturbing. Pajor, who previously served as a military sniper, has since moved on to work on Arc Raiders, focusing on robot combat sounds.
Nintendo “obsessed over getting the sound just right” for farting in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
Nintendo developers meticulously focused on perfecting the sound effects for farting in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. Sound director Toru Minegishi and art director Daisuke Kageyama discussed the extensive retakes and visual effect experiments involved in creating the quirky feature.
Nintendo Was "Obsessed" With Getting Mii Farts To Sound Correct For Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
Nintendo developers were reportedly "obsessed" with perfecting the sound of Mii flatulence for the upcoming game Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. Developers debated the inclusion of fart sounds, with some finding it hilarious and others vulgar, but ultimately decided to include it as an optional feature. The game, which launches on April 16 for Nintendo Switch, also adds same-sex relationships and non-binary Miis.
The Daily Grind: Which MMO sound effect drives you absolutely nuts?
This article discusses irritating sound effects in MMORPGs, using City of Heroes' force field whine as a prime example. It poses a question to players about which specific sound effects in massively multiplayer online roleplaying games drive them the most nuts and why.
Sublustrum – Beta Sign Up | Alpha Beta Gamer
Sublustrum, a 3D reimagining of a 2008 cult psychological adventure, is opening beta sign-ups. The game features liminal dreamscapes blending Victorian melancholy with retrofuturism, where sound is a core mechanic for puzzles and narrative progression. Players explore fractured spaces, solve audio-driven challenges, and uncover the mystery of a scientist brother's disappearance.
Going Medieval Review | NoobFeed
Going Medieval's sound design and background music contribute to a calm and engrossing environment, making extended gameplay sessions feel soothing. The audio elements effectively enhance the overall player experience without being intrusive.
Alien: Isolation's sound designer is working on the next Silent Hill game, creating a 'dynamic score system…
The sound designer for Alien: Isolation, Byron Bullock, and his team at Arrival are contributing to the audio for the upcoming game Silent Hill: Townfall. Composer Anthony Scott Burns, also known as Pilotpriest, is creating a dynamic score system that reacts to gameplay. This collaboration aims to enhance the immersive horror experience, building on the legacy of Silent Hill's iconic soundtracks.
Exit 8 director took inspiration from The Shining for the upcoming horror movie's unique sound design: "I think [it] gets under our skin and kind of like mentally corners us"
Exit 8 director Genki Kawamura drew inspiration from Stanley Kubrick's The Shining for the upcoming horror film's unique sound design. Kawamura detailed how specific sound differences, like a tricycle's noise on wood versus carpet, were used to create a sense of unease and mentally corner the audience. The film also employs distinct shoe squeaks to differentiate between a CG character and a human NPC.
'We go to great lengths to record real sounds' — Battlefield 6 team reveals they shot up cars and destroyed shipping containers to capture authentic audio
The audio team for Battlefield 6 revealed extensive real-world recording techniques, including dropping cars from cranes and destroying shipping containers, to capture authentic in-game sounds. Senior technical sound designer Goncalo Tavares explained that replicating reality through recording is easier than creating it synthetically, detailing experiments with microphones placed under floors and inside buildings, and even attaching them to objects that were intentionally destroyed.
Marathon isn't deathmatch gone wide, it's multiplayer Alien: Isolation and every other player is a xenomorph
Marathon is described as a multiplayer evolution of single-player stealth experiences like Alien: Isolation, where other players act as intelligent, listening threats. The game emphasizes sound design and player-driven pacing, allowing for avoidant strategies similar to classic titles like Thief and Far Cry. Bungie's approach creates persistent ambiguity and a tense atmosphere, making it a compelling experience for stealth fans.
New Behind-The-Scenes Video Reveals The Process Behind Planet of Lana II’s Acclaimed Visuals and Sound
A new behind-the-scenes video details the art, animation, and sound design processes behind Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf. The game has received critical acclaim for its visuals and music since its release on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms.
I am obsessed with these deep dives into how Overwatch cultivates its incredible sound design for each hero
This article delves into the intricate sound design of Blizzard Entertainment's Overwatch, highlighting how audio cues and character-specific sounds enhance gameplay immersion and communication. It features insights from senior sound designers Nicholas Yochum and Felipe Pereira, discussing their creative processes for characters like Juno and the importance of balancing offensive and supportive audio elements.
Crimson Desert Brought Back My Skyrim Obsession
Crimson Desert evokes a similar sense of joyous discovery and player investment as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, despite its own set of flaws. The article highlights how both open-world games excel at drawing players into their environments with compelling exploration, side content, and atmospheric sound design, even when gameplay mechanics are imperfect.
