Video Game Trailer Critique? - Social Sound Design

Video Game Trailer Critique?

2010-06-24T00:01:23Z

Hey guys. I just asked a question the other day (maybe yesterday) about how I can practice sound design. I got some really good feedback and saw a few people that had posted their videos to be reviewed on here so I thought I would do the same.

This is a game called The Secret World that I found on youtube.

Let me know what you think I could do better or focus on more. After listening to it in the studio I noticed the cry of the baby could have come down a bit and the headphones could been a bit more 'muffled.'

[vimeo]12796980[/vimeo]

Give me your thoughts.

Thanks,

Answer by Justin Huss for Video Game Trailer Critique?

2010-06-24T00:19:11Z

A tiny bit of Foley would certainly add character to the fight but otherwise it is GOOD. That's what I thought when I watched it :)

Can I ask how you get access to a studio? Are you already a sound guy? Are you training in some school? I'm looking for this kind of opportunities myself...

Answer by Hubert Campbell for Video Game Trailer Critique?

2010-06-24T06:59:51Z

First... You found an AWESOME trailer. Great find, man. I'll share the same advice I received for my sound design project. I think you need a bigger contrast between the normal everyday world and the frightening event that occurs. The sound for when the monster appears doesnt necessarily have to be loud for the sake of being loud but it should be jarring nonetheless. I was more affected by the visual than by the sound in this take. Perhaps, there's some wicked breathing going on or an uncomfortable whine that occurs when we see the bad guy suddenly appear. When she does her magic thing, that should be big as well.

In order to setup the contrast, I think your sound design for the normal everyday section at the start of the trailer could benefit from more layers of sound design. Something that really lulls the viewer into thinking that this is just a simple, normal, everyday world. Good job with the music on the headphones. I think you should definitely build on this trailer! I would definitely like to see your progress on it.

Answer by Andrew Spitz for Video Game Trailer Critique?

2010-06-24T08:40:38Z

It works very well. Nicely done! One thing though (added to the other feedback), after the monster gets blasted out the window, which sounds awesome, I would emphasize the debris. I would also work on the introduction of the monster sound, maybe a nice deep growl and breath. I'm listening on really bad headphones and in a coffee shop, so as a mix, the beginning is very soft in relation to the rest, which is very loud. Have you tried adding a little compression on the master?

Answer by Dave Matney for Video Game Trailer Critique?

2010-06-25T01:22:30Z

This is awesome. I agree with what everyone else has said... make the monster and the combat bigger. Or, conversely, make it closer to strict realism (there's not enough of that in video games, IMO).

I feel like the monster needs something moist in his sounds, too.

Answer by Matt Cavanaugh for Video Game Trailer Critique?

2010-06-30T03:49:43Z

I redesigned this same trailer not too long ago (an interesting comparison). Unlike mine, I like that yours has a good dynamic range to it. Everyone has brought up some great ideas already. I would say to put foley to the whole thing. At the very least put in her footsteps, even though we only see her take a couple. It makes it way more cinematic. Keep up the great work.