Creating Chills and Thrills: Mastering Audio Design in Horror Games
Shout out to Audio! In these Horror media heavy times [...]
Shout out to Audio! 
In these Horror media heavy times I’d like to share a favorite video of mine that discusses the use of sound in the Horror game genre.
Sound and audio in games, if done right, will engage a player just as much as the art. If done wrong however, it can be an irritating scratch on a blackboard to your players (although, that in itself might be just what your Horror game needs!)
As a designer I like to absorb the world around me in different ways. When I watch the Sunset from my back porch, I am not only taking in the beautiful sights, but also listening to the sounds around me. The train off int he distance, the freeway traffic, the kids playing basketball down the street, the mosquito buzzing by my ear. These are the sounds that make our world.
Now how can we take these sounds and make the player feel uncomfortable, using audio cues, when we want them to? Giving the player a sense of dread or fear at certain points in our game?
These are the tricks of Horror SFX wizards and here are a few tips and thoughts on their craft. Don’t forget, Horror games and movies can and should be enjoyed year round!
Photo – Left 4 Dead 2 – Valve Corporation
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