| name | game-audio |
| description | Game audio principles. Sound design, music integration, adaptive audio systems. |
| type | skill |
| created | 2026-02-27T00:00:00.000Z |
| domain | design-creative |
| category | video-audio |
| risk | safe |
| source | community |
| tags | ["skill","design-creative","video-audio","game","audio"] |
1. Audio Category System
Category Definitions
| Category | Behavior | Examples |
|---|
| Music | Looping, crossfade, ducking | BGM, combat music |
| SFX | One-shot, 3D positioned | Footsteps, impacts |
| Ambient | Looping, background layer | Wind, crowd, forest |
| UI | Immediate, non-3D | Button clicks, notifications |
| Voice | Priority, ducking trigger | Dialogue, announcer |
Priority Hierarchy
When sounds compete for channels:
1. Voice (highest - always audible)
2. Player SFX (feedback critical)
3. Enemy SFX (gameplay important)
4. Music (mood, but duckable)
5. Ambient (lowest - can drop)
2. Sound Design Decisions
SFX Creation Approach
| Approach | When to Use | Trade-offs |
|---|
| Recording | Realistic needs | High quality, time intensive |
| Synthesis | Sci-fi, retro, UI | Unique, requires skill |
| Library samples | Fast production | Common sounds, licensing |
| Layering | Complex sounds | Best results, more work |
Layering Structure
| Layer | Purpose | Example: Gunshot |
|---|
| Attack | Initial transient | Click, snap |
| Body | Main character | Boom, blast |
| Tail | Decay, room | Reverb, echo |
| Sweetener | Special sauce | Shell casing, mechanical |
3. Music Integration
Music State System
Game State → Music Response
│
├── Menu → Calm, loopable theme
├── Exploration → Ambient, atmospheric
├── Combat detected → Transition to tension
├── Combat engaged → Full battle music
├── Victory → Stinger + calm transition
├── Defeat → Somber stinger
└── Boss → Unique, multi-phase track
