When users started asking for sounds in Deep Green, I couldn’t really see what chess and game sounds could possibly have to do with each other. I mean, you’re sitting there concentrating. Who’d want to be disturbed by annoying sounds?
However, being the weak person I am, I couldn’t resist. And when Diego Stocco wrote me after he saw the preview of my website on the Behance Network, I jumped in.
Diego is a sound designer and composer that particularly likes to work with acoustic sources and creatively turn them into unique sounds. This got my attention, because I couldn’t possibly accept the beep-beep type of sounds you normally find in chess programs.
I wanted a sound universe similar to what I imagined it in The Golden Compass movie: acoustic, mechanical, old. I.e. the sounds from an old English study with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in noble wood, filled with old leader-back books, thick carpet, massive polished teak doors, brass hinges, crystal glasses, an old grandfather clock chiming now and then, a beautifully worn mahogany desk etc. You get the picture.
There wasn’t a lot of time to do the work, so I was quite amazed when I got not only what I’d asked for, but in most cases several variations I could randomly switch between at runtime. So for putting down a piece for example, I’m alternating between 14 sounds to make it more varied and realistic. All sounds are recorded originally with no use of sound libraries, Diego used a real chess board, a vintage desk, an old watch and other mechanical objects to create an interesting set of sounds that enhances the gaming experience.
The result, I think, is extremely successful. Today, I couldn’t imagine using Deep Green without the sounds enabled. Watch the videos to check out some of the sounds. Or even better, get Deep Green on your device now.
So I want to thank you all for suggesting this features. Please keep them coming. Although I have a lot of functionality planned already, I’m sure there’s even more I haven’t thought of myself.
2 Comments
Hi Joachim,
the sound integration you have done into Deep Green is great. It gives the game a whole new dimension.
I would suggest to add also an option for some additional background noise – like the sound of a chimney fire and the chiming of a grandfather clock every 15 minutes. Or maybe the squabbling and babbling of an large library.
Keep up the great work, Joachim!
I just wrote a review of your game but (forgive me ;-) I didn’t make any words about the new sounds. It was written a few months ago and was a draft only until now. Maybe you translate and read it if you have time.