Daniel Rosenfeld, the composer of blockbuster sandbox game Minecraft, recently revealed the origins of the game's various sound effects. Minecraft first released as a paid public alpha title in 2009, before its full release in 2011. The game has still retained its popularity even a decade after release, with frequent updates and a number of spin-off titles.
Minecraft allows players to unleash their creativity and create extremely complex builds, and great works of art frequently arrive from its dedicated community. One team of truly dedicated players has begun recreating the entire state of New Jersey at an impressive 1:1 scale. The build, which is being worked on by a team of more than a thousand players called BTE New Jersey, will bring the Garden State and all of its glamor into the cubic world of Minecraft. Another exceptionally skilled Minecraft player crafted an enormous statue of 2B, the protagonist of the action role-playing game Nier: Automata. The player also created a time-lapse video so that others could see the effort that went into the massive tribute.
Computer gaming magazine and website PC Gamer recently released a podcast in which it interviewed Minecraft composer Daniel Rosenfeld. The interview reveals the origins of many of the game's iconic sound effects, many of which were captured using unconventional methods. For example, the startling screech of the game's monstrous spider enemy is actually the manipulated sound of Rosenfeld's water hose. The signature groans of Minecraft's zombie foes was recorded by a flu-ridden Rosenfeld, and the iconic Creeper's explosion is actually a gunshot with the pitch dropped low.
Capturing sounds for use in video games is often a highly creative process, as composers and sound designers turn seemingly random noise into the perfect audio cue. A recent look behind the scenes of Halo Infinite from developer 343 Industries revealed that the game's sound designers destroyed a piano in order to record some required sounds. The process demonstrates how improvisational and experimental sound design can be in the gaming industry.
Minecraft is an iconic title, and the game's memorable soundtrack and sound design is a huge part of the equation. From Creeper hisses to Spider squeals, it's possible for players to know what's attacking them without ever actually seeing it. Using some unlikely tools like a garden hose and a head cold, Daniel Rosenfeld was able to capture sounds that are now recognizable to players all around the world.
Minecraft is available now on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android and PC.
Source: PC Gamer