Video Gaming News - September 2003
San Francisco, CA (September 4, 2003) - Ubi Soft today released
details on the sound and music to appear in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.
From Ubi Soft:
With Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal, no
detail has been left to chance, from the sophisticated game design, gorgeous
graphics, and ability to manipulate time to the incredibly lifelike animations,
the groundbreaking fight system, and the compelling storyline. Everything works
in concert to create an immersive, thrilling gaming experience. This depth and
harmony is also evident in the audio elements of the game. Whether creating a
mood, delivering cues and hints to players, maintaining momentum or accentuating
the other elements of the universe, the sounds and music that accompany the
Prince in his race against time help make Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
the game to beat in 2003.
In-game Music
To provide a soundtrack that would complement the gameplay and add to the
dramatic tension within the game, Ubi Soft turned to accomplished musician
Stuart Chatwood, a member of the mega-selling rock band Tea Party. Stuart
brought his versatility, interest in Indian and Arab music (as well as rock) and
his love of gaming to the project, and composed a rich, dark score that combines
grinding rock beats with middle-eastern melodies and instrumentation. Chatwood
captures both the complexity and beauty of middle-eastern music and the driving
intensity of contemporary rock. Used in cinematics and fighting sequences, as
well as for background music and to provide sound cues to the player, Chatwood's
music is fluid, versatile and accomplished - just like the Prince himself.
In-game Sound Effects
Created in-house and in collaboration with Danetracks, an L.A.-based sound
design, editorial and mixing company (founder Dane Davis won an Oscar for his
unprecedented effects work in The Matrix), the sound effects and musical cues
contribute greatly to the complete immersion players will experience as they
navigate the treacherous palace in a struggle to recapture the Sands of Time and
restore peace to the kingdom.
Danetracks developed the sounds made by the enemies, as well as the effects
for the magical and transformative powers of the Sands of Time. The rest of the
sound effects - literally hundreds - were recorded in-house using traditional
Foley recording and SFX editing. For mixing, the sound designers used Pro-Tools,
Sound Forge and Cool Edit Pro. A real sword and machete were used to capture the
sound of the Prince's sword impacting different objects, while a wide variety of
source materials, from large rocks to small metallic items (such as doorknobs),
were used to complete the complex aural landscape.
Commercial and Trailer Music
To extend and enhance the immersive, atmospheric experience of Prince of
Persia: The Sands of Time, Ubi Soft has teamed with legendary musicians Jason
Bentley and DJ Melo-D, who are creating an original song - inspired by the
universe and gameplay - that will be used in commercials and trailers for the
game.
Turntablist extraordinaire Melo-D was an original member of the seminal
L.A.-based DJ crew the Beat Junkies that revived the art of using turntables as
musical instruments during the '90s. Incorporating a wide variety of influences,
from dub and funk to jazz, soul and world music, Melo-D invents original
compositions that showcase his rhythmical creativity and striking imagination.
Bentley, who will be producing the track, has DJ'd with artists including
David Bowie, Rage Against the Machine, and Underworld, and remixed artists such
as Paul Oakenfold, Fischerspooner, and Gus Gus. He supervised the music and
produced the multi-platinum soundtrack for The Matrix (he received a GRAMMY
nomination for his work, and is on board for all three films). For ten years, he
has hosted the groundbreaking Metropolis show on KCRW, and he DJ's regularly at
L.A. hotspots including Ivar.
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