The little things

Voxicity · February 2016

Just wanted to say that I've recently been impressed by the sound engineers of this game.

I was going from Sej > Drake today and on the way passed through a small body of water. Thought nothing of it at first, but then when I was a few feet away from it I went back cause it struck me that the sound effect for splashing in this water was different from others.

Instead of the generic water splashy sounds that we all know, it was more of a sludgy squelchy sound because it looks muddier with decayed mammoths in and around it. Might not be a big deal to most, but for me it's these little details which really allows you to immerse yourself in the game. After all, they could have just reused the water splashing sound effect and no one would have noticed or cared.

So, kudos to you, Mr(s) Sound Engineer(s), whoever you may be.

Voxicity · February 2016

I'd also like to know of any other little details like this so I can check them out!

Turelus · February 2016

Awesome. I really love the little details like this.

Molag_Crow · February 2016

Your attention to detail is impressive, young Vox Walker.

Jk, I've never noticed that tbh because I barely play with headphones in, but with them in, it's kinda like you're on a different game, unless your headphones are irritating... or if you play a Templar and have to listen to Puncturing Sweeps and "UGHH!" sound effects on full volume, but when it comes to ambiance and stuff, it's quality.

tinythinker · February 2016

Yeah every so often I will post about details, especially new one, that enhance the atmosphere of the game. If only all aspects of the game were at that standard (no offense to devs in other areas that may be harder to balance/design), just imagine what it would be like.

Oh and if you want someone from the sound team try @ZOS_BillMueller

NovaMarx · February 2016

I often find myself standing still, listening to the sounds (water, birds, etc) and taking in the scenery. People can say what they want about bugs, gameplay, etc.. But the game is beautiful, both visually and audibly

Lysette · February 2016

I like that when I do a roll, that it sounds differently dependent on what type of armor I am wearing and if I have a shield on my shoulder or not. By carefully listening to it you can guess what type of armor someone is wearing under his/her costume.

SHADOW2KK · February 2016

All the little details help with the immersion, nice one OP:}

Lysette · February 2016

Another detail, Altmer were the fastest runners in all TES games. When I watch my altmer running and compare it to how the others do it, my altmer is taking longer steps at a different frequency. She might not be faster, but her moves look like she would be faster.

Lysette · February 2016

NovaMarx wrote: »

I often find myself standing still, listening to the sounds (water, birds, etc) and taking in the scenery. People can say what they want about bugs, gameplay, etc.. But the game is beautiful, both visually and audibly

Absolutely, that is what has drawn me to TES games since Morrowind.

SHADOW2KK · February 2016

Lysette wrote: »

NovaMarx wrote: »

I often find myself standing still, listening to the sounds (water, birds, etc) and taking in the scenery. People can say what they want about bugs, gameplay, etc.. But the game is beautiful, both visually and audibly

Absolutely, that is what has drawn me to TES games since Morrowind.

Same, I remember coming off the boat in Seyda Neen in Morrowind in 2001 when I started playing it and just stood still listening to the music hehe.

Xendyn · February 2016

I remember one that caught my attention back on my first character to go thru Cadwells.
Back then, we only had horses so always had hoofbeats right? When I got to Eastmarch and the first time I went across the covered bridge out of Windhelm, I had to turn around and ride back because it sounded different.
Sure enough when on the covered bridge the hoofbeats had an echo to them as they bounced off the more enclosed space.

Later on, on a melee character I also noticed sword sounds were different in places like under bridges.

Sound guys don't get enough credit.

bedlom · February 2016

I wish there was about 5min of silence inbetween music numbers, so I can enjoy all the world sounds around me just like previous TES games.
It would help to keep the soundtrack from getting too repetitive.

Nermy · February 2016

This game is brilliant at the little details. I saw something the other day that made me do a double-take... can't remember what it was though... loL!

Carraig · February 2016

Ah.. Seyda Neen... the squeeking of the wooden hull, the soft sound of small waves against the shore, the sounds of critters, the steps of the Legionair that greets you, the music... I do hope that when Vardenfell get's opened, that they let us arrive in Seyda Neen...and that we get a question about what to do with a sweet roll

SHADOW2KK · February 2016

Nermy wrote: »

This game is brilliant at the little details. I saw something the other day that made me do a double-take... can't remember what it was though... loL!

Haha great story mate:P nice to see you back btw , kinda had to delete you from contacts as thought you had left haha

Lysette · February 2016

bedlom wrote: »

I wish there was about 5min of silence inbetween music numbers, so I can enjoy all the world sounds around me just like previous TES games.
It would help to keep the soundtrack from getting too repetitive.

Hm, in the audio settings should be a music slider, just shift it to zero then you will have your pause.

Garldeen · February 2016

For me, it had to be the effort they put into the music. Not only in this game but also Skyrim. Purchased both the Skyrim and ESO soundtracks from itunes. Still waiting for the DLC zone OST to come onto itunes (they said about Christmas. Hmm...).

Mettaricana · February 2016

Vox wrote: »

Just wanted to say that I've recently been impressed by the sound engineers of this game.

I was going from Sej > Drake today and on the way passed through a small body of water. Thought nothing of it at first, but then when I was a few feet away from it I went back cause it struck me that the sound effect for splashing in this water was different from others.

Instead of the generic water splashy sounds that we all know, it was more of a sludgy squelchy sound because it looks muddier with decayed mammoths in and around it. Might not be a big deal to most, but for me it's these little details which really allows you to immerse yourself in the game. After all, they could have just reused the water splashing sound effect and no one would have noticed or cared.

So, kudos to you, Mr(s) Sound Engineer(s), whoever you may be.

Details I liked a few delves in eastmarch have reflective ice walls and the fire moves with a breeze so far only delves Ive seen like this

Lysette · February 2016

It's impressive how much detail there is as well in the lighting throughout the day, I just love the twilight at dawn and the majestic sun rays in the early evening. overall the lighting is well done, enough ambient lighting to avoid harsh shadows. Some games have hard shadows as if you would be on the moon, but ESO has soft shadows which I appreciate a lot.

NovaMarx · February 2016

bedlom wrote: »

I wish there was about 5min of silence inbetween music numbers, so I can enjoy all the world sounds around me just like previous TES games.
It would help to keep the soundtrack from getting too repetitive.

This is why I have the music volume set to about 50 or less, so that it's in the background - I do this in all games with good ambient sound!

That way all other sounds are more prominent. But yeah, they could definitely play less music. The ambient world sounds in ESO are awesome enough on their own ^^