Video Game Sound Design
Ongoing coverage on Video Game Sound Design.
Latest coverage
How to Make Weapons, Hits and Explosions Sound More Realistic in Games
This guide explains how to create realistic weapon, hit, and explosion sounds in video games by layering multiple recordings and focusing on timing and variation. It emphasizes that acoustic accuracy is a raw material, not a final destination, and that well-designed sounds significantly enhance player perception of graphics and overall immersion.
Where's the weirdest place you've heard videogame music?
This article discusses the surprising and often jarring experiences of hearing videogame music in unexpected real-world settings, such as television shows and local pubs. The author shares personal anecdotes, including hearing music from The Sims 2 and L.A. Noire, and invites readers to share their own unusual encounters with game soundtracks outside of the gaming sphere.
Something for the Weekend – 11/07/26
This week's news includes Microsoft confirming significant layoffs affecting multiple studios, Palworld's 1.0 launch with a large patch, and matchmaking issues for Black Ops players on PlayStation 4 and 5. God of War Laufey is slated for a 2027 release, and a petition to save physical games has garnered over 285,000 signatures.
What was the first videogame song that you ever heard?
This article explores the personal impact of videogame music, starting with the author's first memorable experience with Killer Instinct Gold on the Nintendo 64. It discusses how various game soundtracks have shaped musical tastes and invites readers to share their own formative VGM memories.
Bobby Prince, the legendary composer behind Doom and Wolfenstein 3D, has died
Bobby Prince, the acclaimed composer and sound designer known for his work on classic PC games like Doom and Wolfenstein 3D, has passed away at the age of 81. His iconic soundtracks, particularly for Doom, are celebrated for their heavy metal influences and have been recognized by the US Library of Congress. Prince's career spanned numerous titles from companies such as id Software, Apogee, and 3D Realms.
The Sunday Papers
This article rounds up several gaming-related articles, including an analysis of the "Heroine's Journey" in the Like a Dragon series, a look at challenges faced by older gamers, insights into creating horrifying game audio for Saros, an investigation into Sony's use of conflict minerals, and tributes to the late Warhammer 40,000 artist John Blanche. It also briefly mentions a concertgoer who replaced a stricken performer and a rock band.
Pacific Standard Creative Launches as New Division of Pacific Standard Sound, merging World-Class Film, Television, and Video Game Capabilities
Pacific Standard Sound has launched a new division, Pacific Standard Creative (PSC), dedicated to serving the video game industry with world-class sound design and post-production services. Led by industry veteran Eric Marks, alongside Pacific Standard Sound principals Craig Henighan and Will Files, PSC aims to bridge the gap between cinematic audio and interactive player experiences. The division offers comprehensive services including in-engine implementation and bespoke workflows tailored to game development.