Creating Coherent Worlds: Evidence of Sound relevance.

Although sound is vitally important to express emotions within Video games, it is crucial that it replicates the appropriate atmosphere. Using the right soundtracks or ambiances can make a scene or moment within a story, however, the emotion or expression can be dramatically changed if the sound isn't right for the emotion trying to be portrayed.

I have made 2 different examples to show how music can change the emotion of a scene, whether for bad or good. You can begin to understand the importance of audio within the development of creating coherent worlds. This particular extract is from the Video game 'Red Dead Redemption' where you first reach the country of Mexico, a new and foreign land far from home. The sound that accompanies this moment is so moving and powerful, you get that real sense of alienation and loneliness. You feel connected with the character, story and environment within this particular sequence, the whole tragic story behind the main character, how his emotions and personality are portrayed towards that and how the environment sews those feelings together. It is all with that one moment, traveling in a new world, far from your home, alone...that makes this sequence so compelling and beautiful.

Here is the original scene:

 

Now I will use the same scene, but this time add different audios tracks to on top. You will begin to dramatically rethink the emotions trying to be portrayed in the scene. It is with

this evidence that sound is vital to express not only the right sort of feelings, but to make the correct atmosphere for the story and environment. The genre of this particular game would not have these new soundtracks incorporated because it differs to much from the theme, it isn't believable any more, the authenticity of the concept has been lost and now develops a new meaning. In result the coherence between the world and the story has been lost and detached, therefore making the the experience confusing and irrelevant.

 Sound Change 1

  

Sound Change 2

Sound Change 3

It is evident with each sound change, how important it is to create music that relates to every asset of the game. The original scene corresponds to every aspect, the lyrics to the song, the instruments, tempo and mood all reflect what's happening in the seen. The characters emotions from his past, his present and where he wants to be in the future, through experience the previous parts of the story, that scene is so emotional and moving, you as the player feel so connected too EVERY element. It makes it one of the most immersive and moving experience within gaming history. However, from what I did by changing the sounds to the scene, everything is wrong. The emotion has been lost, it's disconnected to the theme and loses meaning, making the whole experience seem rather stupid. Irrelevant music really changes the emotions to a scene, it can really break the atmosphere it's trying to pull off. As easily noticed with my constructed examples above.

Bibliography:

. http://www.youtube.com

. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oWKCp102ic