Creating the sound and music of Jumpgate Evolution
by James Egan 
Sep 12th 2009 at 6:00PM
Filed under: Sci-fi, Jumpgate Evolution, New titles
We've been wondering what's happening over at NetDevil with Jumpgate Evolution of late. It's been a bit quiet on the news front, but we've come across a recent dev blog from Jumpgate Evolution Producer Hermann Peterscheck that explains the importance of audio in this sci-fi MMO.
Peterscheck explains NetDevil's approach to audio in a space game and the various steps taken to ensure the game sounds as good as it looks. He writes, "Try imagining Star Wars without John Williams' sound track or James Earl Jones' booming Darth Vader voice. Poor audio on top of great video can really deteriorate production value. The trouble with audio is that it generally comes late in the development cycle and all too often as an afterthought."
Whether a given audio project is being done in-house or outsourced, their work is done with Jumpgate Evolution's concept art and story documents in mind -- having a playable version of the game is essential as well.
Their aim is to use audio to trigger emotional response in JGE's players, identifying what's most effective both in terms of primary audio directed at the player and ambient sound. They capture gameplay video and turn it over to the audio production team, who then work their magic to create a more compelling game experience beyond the visual.
If you're curious about what the Jumpgate Evolution devs have been up to or have ever wondered what's involved in creating that often-overlooked sound in your games, Hermann Peterscheck's "Making the Sound of Music for Space" could be enlightening.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
double9s said on 6:13PM 9-12-2009
I wonder when they're going to create a release date.
I kid, NetDevil. I'm just really anxious to play your game already. Wrap it up and ship it out.
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Lepton said on 10:58PM 9-12-2009
You beat me to it. Or even create a closed beta.
max said on 6:55PM 9-12-2009
I thought in space no one could hear your stirring symphonies? ha ha
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Macabre said on 7:00PM 9-12-2009
This game's gonna rock. Can't wait to pewpew!
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fedfierce said on 7:18PM 9-12-2009
I'm actually kind of surprised they were going to release this in July, if they haven't secured a release date for September, I wonder how broken it might have been if they hadn't delayed it :(
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Russell Clarke said on 8:29PM 9-12-2009
Given he's writing about the music now, I guess it wouldn't have had any in July...
NT_ said on 8:01PM 9-12-2009
Annnnnnd, we're still wondering what's happening over at NetDevil with Jumpgate Evolution of late...
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Russell Clarke said on 8:29PM 9-12-2009
Heh, yes not a sound from Netdevil for so long, then a blog on sounds. Hur hur.
Sorry.
pogger said on 12:26AM 9-13-2009
All we are is dust in the wiiiinnnnnndddd........................
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Tyranor said on 2:29PM 9-13-2009
I really hope this is better than auto assault...
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riffs said on 11:39AM 9-21-2009
I was really looking forward to jumpgate evolution but what's up with them lately. They generated all this buzz as their initial release date came close, then they delayed without an estimate or much explanation out of the blue, then its weeks of just crickets, and then a blog post on space sounds? whats up with that? give up the goods netdevil. It makes me wonder how badly broken things are :(
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