YAGER creates visually stunning games, whose original and high quality art often steal the spotlight. Yet there exists a group of behind-the-scenes heroes whose contributions shape the incredibly immersive experiences that captivate players worldwide. Meet Craig, our Audio Design Lead, who offers insight into the crucial role played by Audio Design at YAGER. (Also pictured: Carlos, Sound Designer)
Audio Design is the backbone of every gaming experience, meticulously crafting soundscapes that breathe life into virtual worlds. Craig elaborates on his daily routine, which involves everything from conceptualizing unique sounds to implementing and fine-tuning audio elements within the game. He says, “On creative days, I experiment to find unique sounds, while on others, I’m tweaking existing sounds to perfection.”
Now, Audio Design is not merely the finishing touch; it’s a fundamental component that enhances gameplay immersion and player engagement. As Craig emphasizes, “Audio touches literally every feature, from UI feedback to environmental ambience. Problems with audio often reflect pipeline issues, highlighting its pivotal role in game development.”
The complexity of audio design poses myriad challenges, from ensuring compatibility across various platforms to tackling nuanced in-game scenarios. Craig sheds light on the collaborative efforts required to overcome these challenges, stating, “Creating sounds involves collaboration with game designers, animators, and engineers to address diverse scenarios, such as dynamic weather effects or player interactions.” – one of YAGER’s values is Collaboration, and this is definitely one of the hidden super powers of the Audio Design Team.
Audio designers collaborate closely with all departments, from game designers and engineers to artists and animators, ensuring seamless integration of sound across the game. Craig highlights the symbiotic relationship with engineers, who develop systems to optimize audio performance. Contrary to common misconceptions, audio design is not the final piece of the puzzle; it’s an integral part of the entire development process.
Like with so many of our teams, underlining our company value of Player Focus, the ultimate reward for audio designers lies in witnessing players’ enjoyment of their creations – The gratification of hearing positive feedback from players and content creators who appreciate the intricacies of game audio. “The most rewarding thing about working in the games industry is definitely seeing players enjoy your game. Having someone like #shroud play TCF and enjoy it and talk about the audio and what works and what doesn’t is really an amazing experience.“ Craig continues.
“The gaming industry evolves so fast it’s hard to predict where it will go next. What I do know is that AI will have a large part in shaping the future.” Craig envisions both challenges and opportunities for the gaming industry. While AI may streamline workflows, it also raises concerns about job displacement. However, he remains optimistic about its potential to empower smaller studios and foster innovation.
Having great hearing or being attuned to picking sounds apart and engineering them is a super talent as it is. If Audio Design were a team of superheroes, Craig says, they would almost certainly be Dark Magicians: “We can make something boring like walking through a hallway terrifying, we can make clicking a button satisfying, we can make a world come alive with ambiences, we can make you understand your world without being able to see it. I think that’s kinda cool!“ – We agree Craig!
The role of audio design transcends mere aesthetics; it’s a storytelling tool that enriches the experience of players of YAGER games and elevates immersion to new heights. As Craig aptly summarizes, “We are the dark magicians of game development, conjuring immersive experiences that transcend the boundaries of reality.”