Module: GDT4002-20 2D Sound for Games 

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Samuel Sturtivant

Module Tutor Contact Details: s.sturtivant@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

Sound is an important component of game design. As well as a means to deliver  narrative and feedback to the player, sound is a powerful expressive force that can be  critical in constructing the tone, atmosphere and emotional dimension of games and  interactive experiences. Sound is however often treated as a secondary concern in  game production, which can lead to playful experiences that unwittingly prioritise the  visual and lack a sense of unity. This module as such aims to expose and celebrate  the creative potential of sound design in games, while offering a technical  understanding of audio asset creation and game engine implementation. 

Sound for Games covers the historical and conceptual underpinnings of game sound,  and invites you to think critically and creatively about its function in terms of  gameplay, world building, storytelling and affect. Here we also outline several key  concepts and approaches such as non-linear audio, spatial audio and audio only  games. The module offers an opportunity to gain a practical understanding of game  sound, including techniques for creating audio assets and implementing sound  environments within a game engine. This includes dialogue recording, foley,  ambience capture, and means of finding and utilising existing sound materials in your  projects. By the end of this module you will have a good understanding of the  importance of sound in games, and how it can be used to influence and respond to  player actions and communicate emotion and tone.

2.Outline syllabus

Outline syllabus 

● A brief history of game sound 

● The role of sound in games 

● Critical listening 

● IEZA Framework (Interface, Environment, Zone, Affect) 

● Building sonic environments 

● Sound as an expressive medium 

● Non-linear game sound 

● Spatial audio 

● Audio only games 

● Audio capture, editing, processing and mixing 

● An introduction to digital audio workstations 

● Dialogue and foley

● Utilising existing audio assets 

● Game engine implementation

3.Teaching and learning activities

Class Hours 

Lecturers and seminars cover theoretical content and offer opportunities to analyse  existing deployments of sound in games. Technical demonstration and workshops  sessions explore methods of sound capture, editing and processing, while reviewing  techniques for implementing audio in a game engine. 

Independent Learning 

It is important to spend time playing games or watching game walkthroughs and  focusing attention on the role of sound. Helpful also is to establish a basic audio  recording setup (either using a smartphone or borrowable university equipment) so  you can practice generating and processing original sound assets. 

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Coursework

• Description: Game sound analysis (1,200 words). 

• % Weighting: 30%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Coursework

• Description: Game sound portfolio. With supporting annotations.

• % Weighting: 70%