Might & Magic X: Legacy Meet the Team Q&A

There's another "Meet the Team" Q&A up on the official Might & Magic X: Legacy developer blog this evening, with this latest installment introducing us to Limbic Entertainment sound designer Jan. A bit of what he had to say:

Apart from making music, what do you like to do?

My other passion is gaming, although I don't have so much time for it anymore. I played a lot of RPGs, mainly Baldur's Gate, but also Dragon Age, Elder Scrolls and such. But I also liked Heroes of Might and Magic IV and V very much. Recently I got an X-Box which I currently use for playing Skyrim and XCOM.

What impact does sound design have on a game?

Sound production for computer games has become highly professional nowadays. Sound is critical for immersion; good sound can create an atmosphere that drags you right into the story. For an RPG, it's important that the sound also provides a certain serenity; you need to be able to play it for a long time without your ears getting tired. Therefore, contrast is key. Calm passages, like exploring a level, alternate with dramatic passages, like monster fights. This dramaturgy creates contrasts that keep you from getting bored.