Sound Revolution
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:13 pm
Hi.
I have had some ideas about radically improving the sound in Oolite. Here are my suggestions. I have already posted a couple of them in the expansion pack thread, but it occurred to me that they are suggestions so should be incorporated here. Furthermore, I have added some new ideas too. I think sound is one area where Oolite could be improved, and I see no reason why not?
1. I have designed a load of royalty free sounds using synths and DAWs. Some of them are designed for events that, as yet, have no associated sound i.e. enemy ship explosions. Others are designed to rest the overused "beep" sound that fills in for lots of events. How can I reassign events to different sounds?
2. I have had an idea for dynamic in-game music. It is a simple idea. I have developed some very gentle ambient music ("normal") that works in space. I have also developed a version of the ambient music that takes on a threatening, cinematic edge to it ("combat"). My idea is this: the "normal" ambient plays during ordinary space flight, but whenever you are attacked (i.e. someone turns "red" on the scanner) the music switches to the "combat" threatening version. I have programmed a transition into the beginning of the action music so it doesn't just pop up out of nowhere. I know that Oolite struggles with in game music, but perhaps this could be handled through the itunes integration, and players could simply rename two tracks "normal" and "combat" (mine, someone else's dedicated tracks, or just their own music) and Oolite would send a message toggling between them in appropriate circumstances? This adds a whole range of possibilities to the game.
3. Can Oolite, rather than play a standard sample for each event (i.e. "laserhit") instead choose randomly from a small selection of samples (i.e. "laserhit1", "laserhit2" etc...). I propose to make very slight modifications to a sound in order to make these events seem more organic, less scripted.
4. I am up for "covering" the intro Oolite music to give it a more modern flavour. Would there be support for this? Am I allowed to take the two main themes and "remix" them? If so, people can choose for themselves which versions to use, they are easily switchable.
I think that's it. I have other ideas too if someone is up for brainstorming. I think Oolite would be improved without sacrificing its spirit by some richer sounds
I have had some ideas about radically improving the sound in Oolite. Here are my suggestions. I have already posted a couple of them in the expansion pack thread, but it occurred to me that they are suggestions so should be incorporated here. Furthermore, I have added some new ideas too. I think sound is one area where Oolite could be improved, and I see no reason why not?
1. I have designed a load of royalty free sounds using synths and DAWs. Some of them are designed for events that, as yet, have no associated sound i.e. enemy ship explosions. Others are designed to rest the overused "beep" sound that fills in for lots of events. How can I reassign events to different sounds?
2. I have had an idea for dynamic in-game music. It is a simple idea. I have developed some very gentle ambient music ("normal") that works in space. I have also developed a version of the ambient music that takes on a threatening, cinematic edge to it ("combat"). My idea is this: the "normal" ambient plays during ordinary space flight, but whenever you are attacked (i.e. someone turns "red" on the scanner) the music switches to the "combat" threatening version. I have programmed a transition into the beginning of the action music so it doesn't just pop up out of nowhere. I know that Oolite struggles with in game music, but perhaps this could be handled through the itunes integration, and players could simply rename two tracks "normal" and "combat" (mine, someone else's dedicated tracks, or just their own music) and Oolite would send a message toggling between them in appropriate circumstances? This adds a whole range of possibilities to the game.
3. Can Oolite, rather than play a standard sample for each event (i.e. "laserhit") instead choose randomly from a small selection of samples (i.e. "laserhit1", "laserhit2" etc...). I propose to make very slight modifications to a sound in order to make these events seem more organic, less scripted.
4. I am up for "covering" the intro Oolite music to give it a more modern flavour. Would there be support for this? Am I allowed to take the two main themes and "remix" them? If so, people can choose for themselves which versions to use, they are easily switchable.
I think that's it. I have other ideas too if someone is up for brainstorming. I think Oolite would be improved without sacrificing its spirit by some richer sounds
as sound design and music are about the only skills I currently have to offer to the Ooniverse, so I'm going to give what I can!