#bctplaystudio

[charliehnz]

In recent projects I’ve been making an effort to upskill myself in Unreal Programming, specifically Audio. Progress at the moment includes implementing all of the ambient sounds for the smaller boat as it traverses the waters (Hull Creaks, Rope Creaks, Sail Flaps etc), ocean ambience, splashes, boat destruction etc.

[charliehnz]

Ableton, Ableton and more Ableton

[charliehnz]

Kraken Audio Update 16/8/16

Over the past few weeks I have been able to pump out the main theme and record some raw sounds to process and edit into SFX. Kraken Theme https://soundcloud.com/charliehnz/kraken-title-music

The theme for Kraken takes a lot of inspiration from similar sounding compositions such as the tavern music from WoW. Collectively we wanted to have a whimsical and catchy title/theme song containing a number of folk and piratey sounding instruments from Celtic Tin Flutes to the Accordion. The general feedback was highly positive from the rest of the team and even others passing by our studio space. To hear people humming it to themselves throughout the day was a good sign that it drew people’s attention and stuck with them-a memorable experience.

Next up is to start creating the track(s) of in-game music that will play during the playable state of Kraken. SFX Kraken is a game built on responsive and immersive SFX. Due to the whole nature of the game and high level of interactivity it requires a whooole lot of sounds to achieve the vision of what we set out to create. In the past I have found it easy to use pre-recorded sounds off the internet and then edit/apply effects to create SFX with minimal original recording. This time round, armed with a Zoom Mic, I aim to originally record & create all of the in-game SFX. We hope to kickstart Kraken upon completion and having completely original audio is quite essential.

[charliehnz]

Working on a (almost finished) title/menu song for Kraken. I have found creating songs/composition in Logic as opposed to Ableton has been a far easier experience due to the diverse selection of instruments in the in the initial libraries and in downloadable packs. I managed to get some awesome “piratey” sounding instruments and have enjoyed writing a more whimsical and upbeat composition full of lively strings, woodwinds and percussion.

[charliehnz]

Myself and the girlfriend managed to record some SFX using a number of interesting things around our apartment including drink bottles, bubble wrap, creaky doors and even an umbrella. Sounds in mind include water ambience, ship destruction, wooden ships creaking and sails being set.

[charliehnz]

First foley recording using different sized bottles with different levels of water for basic water sfx including splashes and general ambience.

[charliehnz]

Play Studio: Ideas and Initial Direction

For our second project together this year, myself and the Float Studios team are currently looking into creating a game with the running title, Kraken.

Players will embody the Kraken, a legendary sea monster and ultimately wreak havoc on who/whatever dares to traverse the waters he lurks in. Ideally we want to create an experience that utilises the HTC Vive and offers an original experience that strays from generic humanoid-based VRs and places the player in control of a devastatingly powerful protagonist. 

The game would include a series of levels with different tasks, challenges and poor souls to send to their watery demise. Players can control the tentacle (arms) of the Kraken using the vive controllers to interact with the in-game world and achieve the game objectives.

We’ve been looking into what it is we exactly want to want to improve on and learn as individuals and personally I have outlined a few things such as;

Recording 100% original audio (Music and SFX)

Game/Environment/Experience audio layering

Improving song composition

Theme/Jingle/Trailer/Level music that defines the game

Helping with Float Studios public identity and content creation

Basic 3D modelling of in-VR assets

We hope to create a timeless classic for the VR market that can be kickstarted or similar in order to get Float Studios on the map as a professional, industry-grade creative collective.