Kenshi Audio Updates

[KoleHicks]

Hello everyone!

Just a quick update. I created a short playlist of various excerpts you'll encounter in the game... except the last one. That piece of music is a little teaser of an announcement to come a little later on. There are other priorities at the moment & we still have to test everything, but (assuming all goes well) whenever everything is working as intended we'll make the announcement!

https://soundcloud.com/kole_musician/se ... -of-kenshi

Hope you enjoy.

-Kole

[EvilTea]

Looks great!

[hbrown]

Somewhat funny when i had already got close tracks to some of the title of the desert, and also as i crossed in the game i was currently playing when listening to this... must become a sand person, it seems to call to me.

And did anyone else got the chills with that last track?

[Opex]

1st track(Main Title) reminded me of "Garry Schyman – Pairbond" wich was used in a Bioshock 2, same feelings:)

[Danzigsam]

No disrespect intended to your fine work, but Kenshi is an action game to me. I listen to the Yoshida Brothers and similar stuff while I play.

I hope there's plans for something more fast-paced to play during combats?

[Kent_Lang]

I think it needs to be said that the ambient wind ambient sounds in the deserts is way too loud and since it plays on a loop all the time it gets really annoying for the ears! To the very point that I felt like my ears was bleeding. Please lower the volume of it a lot and try to add some pauses to it. I had to lower the volume of all SFX to a 5th of the maximum volume (0.2), which is a real shame because then I can't hear the clashing of steel and combat sounds.

A simple solution to fix it would be to put ambient sounds on a separate channel that the user can control with a slider in the options menu.

[Jake_j_a]

Wind volume vs sound effects is changed by your zoom level, zoom in on your party and the wind will quiet and the battle sounds will increase.

[hbrown]

That changes a bit when you on high ground, exemple around Brink you gonna have always the wind even closed right in the face of your squads as it is a high place, maybe place a unique bar in the sound options for win as it seems to always be there? Some might enjoy others not, or sometimes bad when you always on high grounds.

[KoleHicks]

Thanks for the kind words everyone, it's appreciated

1st track(Main Title) reminded me of "Garry Schyman – Pairbond" wich was used in a Bioshock 2, same feelings:)

What a fantastic track from Garry Schyman, I'm honored that you get similar feelings listening to the Kenshi Main title!

I hope there's plans for something more fast-paced to play during combats?

No plans; we will not be creating traditional combat music for Kenshi, as it wouldn't fit with our overall Music goals. However, that's not to say you won't hear some faster paced music in the game. We still have at least 1 more session planned & we'll be recording Shamisen, Taikos, etc.

A simple solution to fix it would be to put ambient sounds on a separate channel that the user can control with a slider in the options menu.

Hmm... interesting option. As the Biomes change & you expand your domain, the BG ambient sounds will also change. So the wind of the Dunes won't be nearly as incessant. We want it to feel overwhelming, but not annoying... so I'll think about this one a bit. Whether or not to lower the volume, add a slider, or some other solution.

[Kent_Lang]

Hmm... interesting option. As the Biomes change & you expand your domain, the BG ambient sounds will also change. So the wind of the Dunes won't be nearly as incessant. We want it to feel overwhelming, but not annoying... so I'll think about this one a bit. Whether or not to lower the volume, add a slider, or some other solution.

Oh, many thanks for the response!

Yeah, a slider would be the best compromise because then you can make it overwhelming but if the user feels annoyed by it - he can easily change it. This is an amazing practice to do in regards to audio design that grants the user many benefits while not forcing you to make any changes to your vision (or at least very few).

Other things useful to group up into their own channels would be voice notifications, footsteps, UI-sounds. Just go nuts with it! I cannot come up with any drawbacks not to, haha!

[KoleHicks]

Hello everyone!

Back with another update to the blog & a video.

For Info on what's been created/integrated on the Audio side of things for this new update: http://kolemusician.com/blog/?p=153

For big time Kenshi fans & music nerds, here is a video where I specifically detail the Music System for Kenshi (it's a lengthy one): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPEJRJWH ... e=youtu.be

Happy Holidays!

[Danzigsam]

I wasn't a fan at first, but its growing on me.

[ChiefNinja]

I really like the idea of the music treating you as insignificant. But I was wondering, if the player manages to become really really badass- a warlord or something, and actually have some real agency in the world, would that open up the opportunity to have music that actually reacts to their actions, just to emphasise the progression they have made?

Equally, the music could maybe react to the actions of the great and powerful characters who are not controlled by the player- we would hear the echoes of their decisions and actions through the music, maybe.

Or do you take the hardline approach- kenshi really doesn't care, however cool we are?

Once again, great work. Your's and Chris' work is awesome. Just awesome

[KoleHicks]

I wasn't a fan at first, but its growing on me.

Glad it's growing on you… guess it's an acquired taste

I really like the idea of the music treating you as insignificant. But I was wondering, if the player manages to become really really badass- a warlord or something, and actually have some real agency in the world, would that open up the opportunity to have music that actually reacts to their actions, just to emphasise the progression they have made?

Once again, great work. Your's and Chris' work is awesome. Just awesome

Nope, no matter how cool/badass you are the world (and thus the music) still won't care However, you may still be able to hear/access powerful music in Kenshi at some point… we're not ready to discuss that quite yet though.

Thanks for the kind words & glad you're enjoying your time with Kenshi!

[hugeknight]

To Mr.kolehicks,
I don tpot much on this forum and am not that active i usually dont post because usually theres a similar post to mine and we both know how much people hate double posting,
but i believe you sir deserve a double post.
I used to listen to mettalica while playing a i thought that fit the game quite well but when the audio update came around i found out how wrong i was...........sir i thank you for strumming life into an awesome game.
keep up the fantastic work.

nuff said i believe

[Hatsune_Neko]

After thoroughly playing Kenshi with the new sound and music, i can assuredly say
Awesome job Kole. Only time i have ever turned the volume down was when i was watching my shows. I can say that is a first for me. a game where i don't mute the music =(^.^)=

[Enth]

Kole,

While playing this evening, zoomed into my outpost above my mines and shops where I'm hammering out my goods and stuff, I was thinking of sounds of machinery in operation and thought these might be some good ideas for ambient sounds while machinery is being operated...

- for fabric looms, the sounds of an actual fabric loom in operation. It's a very distinctive sound and I believe it would fit perfectly for while a fabric loom is in operation;

- for the various crafting stations, ambient sounds from a machine shop/Forge (Metal being hammered, metal work being quenched (steam sounds), grinders, etc.);

- For mines (not automated), sounds of a mining team digging with picks and shovels and sledgehammers should work nicely. For Automated mines, a low harmonic rumble (sub-30 Hz) and various machine noises (electric turbines, winches, cranes, etc.) might fit the bill.

These are but suggestions, though I'm positive that you and Chris have already thought of these things, and are hoping to include them in a later patch once the Foley work is complete. Other than that, your soundtrack is utterly amazing, and I'm looking forward to future patches to see what new magic you and your sound team weave into the game.

Happy New Year!

Enth

[Mustyfish]

Definitely support the above post, it would add a touch more immersion to the game.

[KoleHicks]

To Mr.kolehicks,
I don tpot much on this forum and am not that active i usually dont post because usually theres a similar post to mine and we both know how much people hate double posting,
but i believe you sir deserve a double post.
I used to listen to mettalica while playing a i thought that fit the game quite well but when the audio update came around i found out how wrong i was...........sir i thank you for strumming life into an awesome game.
keep up the fantastic work.

nuff said i believe

Wow thanks for the kind words, it's appreciated! I'm happy to hear my work for Kenshi is a respectable replacement for Metallica

After thoroughly playing Kenshi with the new sound and music, i can assuredly say
Awesome job Kole. Only time i have ever turned the volume down was when i was watching my shows. I can say that is a first for me. a game where i don't mute the music =(^.^)=

Thanks very much, Hatsune! That's quite the compliment & I've been guilty of muting the music in games as well.

These are but suggestions, though I'm positive that you and Chris have already thought of these things, and are hoping to include them in a later patch once the Foley work is complete. Other than that, your soundtrack is utterly amazing, and I'm looking forward to future patches to see what new magic you and your sound team weave into the game.

Happy New Year!

Enth

Thanks for the kind words on the soundtrack & all your suggestions! I'm working on a lot of the passive building/machinery sounds at the moment to help with the overall "immersiveness" of the environment. Some sounds may have to wait a bit (to sync with finalized animations), but I'm hoping the next big update will feature some of these sounds. Happy New Year!

[pii]

So I didn't really play since the audio update, but started a new game just now. At first I just got a buddy and we wandered into the desert with no real aim, and the music was just amazing. Really conjured up a feeling of insecurity and mystery. Even when we started hauling goods between towns the audio really gave a weight to the experience of travelling that just made the whole journey more exciting. Maybe some months ago I thought the guitar sounded odd, but it is awesome when it kicks in. Well done on a fantastic job on the music!