Today we've got something a little different for you. Audio design in games is crucially important as both a mood-enhancer and mechanism for feedback. You may have heard us talk in the past about Chronicles of Elyria being a What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get kind of world, so if something looks dangerous, it probably is! What we also want is for Chronicles of Elyria to be a What-You-Hear-Is-What-You-Get world.
To that end, each area of the game will have different flora, fauna, and environmental factors that will go into that region's soundscape: all the environmental sounds you hear. If you hear a bird, that is because birds are there! If you hear thunder, a storm is coming! If you're walking on grass, your footsteps are softer and make a rustling noise!
Music also plays a role in setting the right mood for the ambient activity. If you're in combat, the music should help you feel the excitement of the moment. If you're exploring a dark ruin, the music should enhance the ominous feel. If you're walking through a particular biome, the music helps to characterize it.
So put on your headphones and relax to the soothing sounds of the Tropical Wetlands.
