Creating Audio Content for Mobile Games

Creating Audio Content for Mobile Creating Audio Content for Mobile GamesGames

Presented by: Ben LongPresented by: Ben Long

Personal History:Personal History:

Memphis, TN “Birthplace of Rock and Memphis, TN “Birthplace of Rock and Roll” Roll”









Monster Panic (my first mobile game)Monster Panic (my first mobile game)

Audio meets computersAudio meets computers

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A Brief History of Audio in Mobile A Brief History of Audio in Mobile GamesGames

First mobile game in history:First mobile game in history:Nokia ‘ Snake’ released in 1997Nokia ‘ Snake’ released in 1997


Color graphics Color graphics and sound were and sound were slowly slowly introduced as introduced as the power of the power of mobile devices mobile devices increasedincreased


Graphics advanced quickly but audio limitations remainedGraphics advanced quickly but audio limitations remained




Limitations:Limitations:• Small speaker size continues to be a challengeSmall speaker size continues to be a challenge• Limited to frequencies between 100hz and 4khzLimited to frequencies between 100hz and 4khz• Size constraints leave very little room for audioSize constraints leave very little room for audio• Early phones only supported basic MIDI Early phones only supported basic MIDI technologytechnology• Audio quality sounds similar to a ringtone (harsh)Audio quality sounds similar to a ringtone (harsh)• Phone brands have different audio specificationsPhone brands have different audio specifications



Each computer has a different way of singing the same song!Each computer has a different way of singing the same song!

FragmentationFragmentation

A Brief History of Audio in Mobile Games

Symbian Game project example:Symbian Game project example:

This is a sample of the music style the developer wantedThis is a sample of the music style the developer wanted

Project RequirementsProject Requirements

• Size limit for entire game – Size limit for entire game – 60K60K• Size limit for music – 4KSize limit for music – 4K• Developer required .MID Developer required .MID formatformat• Developer based in Turkey, Developer based in Turkey, where bandwidth is limitedwhere bandwidth is limited• General MIDI sound quality is General MIDI sound quality is nothing like a live orchestra!nothing like a live orchestra!• Playback had to be tested on Playback had to be tested on 40 different phones40 different phones• Each one sounds different Each one sounds different when playing the same MIDI when playing the same MIDI songsong

Back to Reality!Back to Reality!

mobile games composer:mobile games composer:

I thought I would be making music!I thought I would be making music!

MobileToday’s mobile landscapeToday’s mobile landscape

iPhoneiPhoneAndroidAndroidBlackberryBlackberryPalm OSPalm OSWindows Phone 7Windows Phone 7Symbian OS Symbian OS Java ME (Sun)Java ME (Sun)BREW (Qualcomm)BREW (Qualcomm)

MobileThe iPhone RevolutionThe iPhone Revolution

Audio quality is greatly increasedAudio quality is greatly increased

• Total app size limit is 2GB overallTotal app size limit is 2GB overall• Total app size is 20MB (over cellular network)Total app size is 20MB (over cellular network)• Almost every audio file format is supportedAlmost every audio file format is supported• MP3s are finally supported (bringing rich MP3s are finally supported (bringing rich sound)sound)• Uncompressed WAV and AIFF files also Uncompressed WAV and AIFF files also supportedsupported


Challenges with developing audioChallenges with developing audio

• Speaker size remains a limitationSpeaker size remains a limitation• Looping MP3 files can be problematicLooping MP3 files can be problematic• Audio must be appealing when heard Audio must be appealing when heard repetitivelyrepetitively• Headphone use must also be consideredHeadphone use must also be considered• Audio can occupy 50% or more of entire Audio can occupy 50% or more of entire gamegame


General tips for developing audioGeneral tips for developing audio

• Background music/ambience are typically Background music/ambience are typically MP3MP3• Mono MP3 files (96kbps) save a lot of spaceMono MP3 files (96kbps) save a lot of space• Use WAV files for User Interface and short Use WAV files for User Interface and short soundssounds• Check volume levels for consistency on iPod Check volume levels for consistency on iPod • Create a test build to check for audio bugsCreate a test build to check for audio bugs


Payload: Truck Game for iPhonePayload: Truck Game for iPhone

• Object soundsObject sounds• Background musicBackground music• Soundscape and ambienceSoundscape and ambience• Quality of overlapping audioQuality of overlapping audio


8 Planets: Educational game for iPhone8 Planets: Educational game for iPhone

• Object soundsObject sounds• Background musicBackground music• Soundscape and ambienceSoundscape and ambience• Human voice adds realism to gamesHuman voice adds realism to games

MobileAndroid ConsiderationsAndroid Considerations

General tips for developing audioGeneral tips for developing audio

• OGG format natively supported on Android OSOGG format natively supported on Android OS• OGG superior to MP3 in quality, size and loopingOGG superior to MP3 in quality, size and looping• WAV & MP3 are problematic in Android game devWAV & MP3 are problematic in Android game dev• Test content on growing number of new handsetsTest content on growing number of new handsets• Galaxy Tablet should be included in QA processGalaxy Tablet should be included in QA process

Mobile

Sony – MDR 7506Sony – MDR 7506

• The headphone of choice in studios worldwideThe headphone of choice in studios worldwide• Flat frequency response and very accurateFlat frequency response and very accurate• High quality sound and inexpensiveHigh quality sound and inexpensive

Quality Headphones are importantQuality Headphones are important

MobileThe secret of mixing audio for The secret of mixing audio for mobile?mobile?

• Open headphones and lay them on the desk!Open headphones and lay them on the desk!

MobileLode Runner for iPhone Lode Runner for iPhone 1983 1983 20112011

• Preserve and restore original sound effectsPreserve and restore original sound effects• Create new music for the menu and credits screenCreate new music for the menu and credits screen• Modify audio content for 20MB app limitModify audio content for 20MB app limit

My Tasks:My Tasks:

MobileLode Runner for iPhoneLode Runner for iPhone

• A games main menu is like a lounge or lobby areaA games main menu is like a lounge or lobby area• Player should be able to relax and preparePlayer should be able to relax and prepare• Music needs to fit the era (1983) and sound coolMusic needs to fit the era (1983) and sound cool

Main menuMain menu


• Repair pops and clicks in broken sounds Repair pops and clicks in broken sounds


• Original game sounds needed volume and EQ Original game sounds needed volume and EQ changeschanges• Original game had no background music either!Original game had no background music either!• Always use the same sample rate for files Always use the same sample rate for files (44.1khz/16bit)(44.1khz/16bit)


• It sounds too good, can you make it sound worse? It sounds too good, can you make it sound worse?

credits screencredits screen

Mobile Thank You!Thank You!

contact me: contact me: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Creating Audio Content for Mobile Games