Audio in video games isn’t just about what you hear—it’s about how you feel. Rob Pearsall, an experienced sound designer and audio tester, provided a fascinating deep dive into the intricacies of audio testing for games. Drawing from his work on iconic franchises like Halo, he shared valuable lessons on what makes game audio tick and how to test it effectively.
What Makes Game Audio Unique?
Unlike films, where soundtracks sync directly with linear visuals, game audio is dynamic and interactive. It adapts to player actions and constantly shifts depending on the game environment. Rob emphasised this distinction, explaining how sound systems in games are programmed to respond to varying in-game conditions, creating a fully immersive auditory experience.
For example:
- Interactive Music: Games often use “stems” (individual tracks for different instruments) to allow for endless variations of a song. This ensures players rarely hear the same combination twice.
- 3D Soundscapes: Audio in games must convey spatial awareness. A helicopter passing overhead or a distant explosion must sound authentic, adjusting in volume, pitch, and filtering based on the player’s position.
Essential Skills for Audio Testing
Testing audio in games requires more than just a good ear. Rob highlighted two key areas of expertise:
- Testing Proficiency: The fundamentals of identifying, documenting, and tracking issues are crucial.
- Audio Knowledge: A professional understanding of sound design is indispensable. From mastering tools like Wwise and FMOD to comprehending audio behaviours like occlusion and attenuation, testers must be equipped to evaluate the nuances of game audio.
Challenges in Audio Testing
Rob shared several challenges he encountered while working on Halo:
- Volume and Memory Balancing: Managing the memory footprint of audio is critical. Overloading the system with sounds can lead to important effects—like gunfire—being cut off during gameplay.
- Consistency Across Game Modes: Audio transitions and behaviours can differ between campaign and multiplayer modes, requiring thorough testing in all scenarios.
- Environmental Sound Design: Ambient sounds and reverb must seamlessly match the environment. For instance, moving from a cave to an open field should feel natural to the player.
One particularly intriguing example involved reverb mismatches on vehicles. In one scenario, players riding in a Halo Warthog experienced reversed indoor and outdoor reverb effects depending on their position in the vehicle—a fascinating bug that required careful debugging to resolve.
Lessons from the Field
Rob’s anecdotes revealed just how intricate audio testing can be:
- Dynamic Sound Systems: Testing dialogue systems, which must adapt to various player interactions, requires a keen ear to ensure appropriate responses are triggered in the right contexts.
- Material Systems: Every surface in a game world—be it grass, metal, or water—affects the sounds of footsteps, gunfire, and interactions. Testing involves ensuring these sounds match their environments accurately.
- Loop Points: Ambient audio loops must blend seamlessly. A poorly looped sound can disrupt the immersion, drawing players out of the experience.
Tips for Aspiring Audio Testers
- Build Relationships: Collaboration with designers and developers is crucial. Gaining their trust can improve feedback and streamline the debugging process.
- Leverage Tools: Use profiling tools in middleware systems like Wwise or FMOD to isolate and test specific sounds or scenarios.
- Study the Game: Understanding the lore and design principles of a game ensures consistency across sequels and expansions.
Final Thoughts
Rob concluded with a message of optimism: as game audio continues to evolve, so too will the tools and techniques used to create and test it. By fostering a partnership between creativity and technology, developers can craft unforgettable soundscapes that immerse players like never before.
For Rob, the ultimate goal is simple: make games fun and immersive. And with experts like him pushing the boundaries of audio, the future of gaming sounds brighter than ever.
Game Credits
Rob Pearsall has an extensive portfolio in game audio, contributing to over 50 titles including The Lamplighters League, Falcon Age, Necropolis, Destiny: The Taken King, Destiny, Halo 4, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, and The Lord of the Rings. His company, Rip Street Audio, has played a significant role in delivering audio direction, music, and sound design for these projects.