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"There is something in the air..."

About ten years ago when only platform or puzzle games were being played we used to see fun titles, which were a joy to just have a laugh with. For a while these were fun and still are now but was this because there wasn’t much atmosphere or not… And if so what makes it in the first place?

Well I loved the Nintendo games for the Snes and I didn’t really take them very seriously, because to me it was just for a bit of fun. Now days we are seeing games like Resident evil that scare the life out of you all the time. NO matter how you treat games like this there will always be an element of spookiness in it, and you just can’t help it. I was wondering, what type is better… but then I realized both is excellent and the gaming world is about trying new things and enjoying your self with every thing.

SO after I worked that out I thought of this topic… How to make a decent atmosphere for the type of game you are playing on in the first place. Of course seeing the Resident Evil series and other gore/horror is nothing unusual but in a way there isn’t much going on at all. I am not dissin the game because I love it to bits but it is not that hard to play tricks on the human mind. You know what is going to happen so you are naturally nervous and when it happens your heart rate goes rocketing up to lord know high.

But it is not horror games I am wondering how to create an atmosphere in but all games for all consoles. Take a game like confidential mission. It is a cool game but has no real feeling to it in my view and now we are this far into next gen gaming maybe atmospheric games should hit the stores more oftenly. My point is maybe a racing game should have REAL feelings and thinking that you are a driver racing for the gold. Or a beat’ em up where you feel like you are fighting for your life.

I know games like this exist but they are the very best and it would be an idea if several games all had extreme atmosphere on top of the already first rate Calibur.

But what does make the atmosphere?

I think when you are playing Resi evil or silent hill you don’t want your character to get hurt or see them get totally minced and in a way your mind just fears for it self and plays tricks on you. Well I think other games like sports or arcade you don’t fear there for you don’t take as seriously.

In my opinion the future of gaming should contain everything and some games should be atmospheric and others not. I think that sums it up…

Cheers

T_W uk

You're not being sarcastic, are you?

WOW! There are some excellent replies to my winning post.

Settlers is good too, but I prefer games that scare me a bit.

But the point I was trying to highlight was that it doesn't have to be a scary atmosphere, or perhaps I am the only one who appreciates Settlers.

Say it isn't so...

Should try it on the PC, scares me to death hearing the footsteps and music changing.

it's the same with Rainbow Six. i've just got it 2nd Hand on the N64, and although the graphics are pretty bland, the music, which isn't continous but jumps in at times of suspense (eg. opening a door), sure made the game more scary.

I think the most crucial things to get a good atomosphere are music and sound effects. When i first played Quake, it was a demo i had, i was quite scared. I was playing it in my room, with no light on, and the whole ambience of the game made me be on the edge of my seat.

Graphics aren't quite as important, as long as you recognise what something is, it doesn't matter how well drawn it is. If you know the thing shambling towards you is a zombie or whatever, it doesn't matter how well drawn it is as it's the sound that messes with your mind.

What is it that makes you look over you shoulder after you've finsihed watching a scary film? A noise. The sound effects mess with your mind so whenever you hear a creak on groan or whatever, it reminds you of the film or game and you look over your shoulder.

I thopught that CBFD wasn't a scary types of games and was original and new and fun!!

Until I got to the Zombies part, it is funny in a sort of weird demented way but the music in the background can really set an atmosphere and the thing that I most...although I am not saying it is bad is the way that every 1-2 mins you hear that weird, creepy childs laugh coming from nowhere!!!

UURRRGGGHH!

yep i have to agree sound is a huge factor. Probably the most important. On football games i find it to be the most important factor. When i have the sound turned down, i seem to play really crap, but when i turn the sound up my performances become much better.

I always thought Doom 64 had a very good atmosphere. First time I played this game was in a darkened room at around midnight, on my own, and that really made you notice the atmosphere the game set up - from the screams of animals being sacrificed in the distance, to the sudden grunting of some demon behind you. You notice the little details, the gothic surroundings, the blood, the darkened corridors.

Resident Evil was much the same, but would have benefitted from some soundtracks on a similar theme to those in Doom 64. They really added to the atmosphere.

I agree with Goatboy about Black & White, too. The atmosphere there is very impressive, even without sound. (I'm sure you can guess why my copy doesn't have sound). It's the way you feel you're a part of it, straight away, and the excellent attention to detail and simplistic interface.

Overall though, despite B & W, I'd have to go with sound as the main aspect that adds atmosphere to a game for me. I can think of so many that just aren't the same game without it.