The Game Composer’s Blog

22.1 Surround Sound. Whoo!

I was prepared to write tonight’s blog about how I think surround sound is overrated. But then I spied Star Wars sitting there all innocently in my DVD collection. And there’s the GTA4 case on the coffee table in front of me. Both of those titles just scream to be listened to with a good surround setup (so to speak). Sometimes it’s fun to be in a bed of sound with the hi-def on-screen action and just lose yourself in another world. Surround sound definitely can help to achieve that, especially in a dark room watching a dark movie or game.

I guess my big problem with surround sound is that it’s not always all that necessary and it can sometimes actually get in the way. So many games just don’t need it. Sure, if it’s a first-person game it is nice to have. But, really, if the screen doesn’t fully envelope you then why should the sound? Without fail, during a gaming or movie session the first time I hear a sound come from a rear speaker I’m actually brought out of the gaming or movie experience. If you turn around you don’t see the person the sound came from. You see the speaker or a wall or the plant your grandma gave you. So you have to remember that the next time you hear a rear channel sound. After a few minutes of playing the game that becomes less of a problem and it can really be helpful to know when a bad guy is shooting at you from behind. But the fakeness is still in the back of your mind and you just know it doesn’t sound quite natural. How did that plant fire that gun?

This may sound strange coming from a game composer and sound designer. Aren’t I supposed to be all revved up about the latest and greatest audio advancements? Well, as someone who works on games I just want the game experience to be the best it can be. And a great gaming experience does not require surround sound. It requires magnificent content and appropriate implementation. I haven’t seen one game that requires surround sound in order to be fully enjoyed. Sometimes in certain games it enhances, but that’s about it.

Interestingly, a recent Nielsen survey of console owners did find that 54% of PS3 owners, 48% of Xbox 360 owners, and 43% of Wii owners own at least 5.1 surround systems. These figures may be inflated because of the group that was surveyed, but I’m sure surround systems will become more and more a common part of most people’s home set-ups. As the Wii has proven for video, however, the latest and greatest technological advancements don’t always bring the most fun game experiences.

It’s still about the content.

July 17, 2008 Posted by thegamecomposer | Developer Music Tips, Sound Design Advice | implementation, surround sound | Leave a Comment