Todd Masten interview/Steppes of the Sunset discussion

[Pirotess]

Todd Masten recently released an exclusive music clip to Vanguard Spheres entitled "Steppes of the Sunset". First of all I'd like to thank Todd for taking the time to do the interview with Cobalt Katze and be so kind to give us such a beautiful music clip.

It was also very interesting to hear about the ISACT system and how detailed it is. Its amazing how we went from every blow in Everquest sounding exactly the same as the one before it to such a detailed sound system as explained here:

Originally Posted by Todd Masten

It also means that every sound in the world is dynamic. When you whack a turtle on the head for example, the engine looks at what weapon is in your hand, the surface you are striking, how hard you are hitting the surface, the reaction of the surface to the impact, then plays a variation of each of the sounds in real time. There are subtle pitch, amplitude, and sample randomizations for every action in the game. What this basically means is you aren’t going to hear the exact same ‘whack’ every time you hit a turtle on the head.

This feature alone might turn those players who have been gaming for years without sound into sound users again. Coupled with such amazing music as Steppes of the Sunset and I know I for one will be playing my Vanguard loud and clear. How bout you?

[Cobalt Katze]

I'm definately very excited about playing Vanguard with all bells and whistles blazing If that makse sense. Todd's doing a great job towards realizing the aural aspect of the world, and I can't wait to dive inside.

[Aazenius]

Liked what I heard. Vanguards music sounds promising.

[Echo]

This music is definately worth taking a pause after a fight before finding the next mob. This music didn't bore me, even after two minutes I was still being pulled in. And that means I can picture my future character standing after winning a fight and just staring into the sun. And of course me in real life appreciating the amazement this world is guaranteed to bring. I want to whine for more!

[Spirit]

Very subdued and rolling. Aural prozac, in a good way

The variables on combat sounds make me happy.

[Tritolus]

Very nice music, and interesting plans for combat sounds.

I played with sound entirely off in EQ, and for Warcraft I have the music turned off. Sounds like I'll have everything turned on for Vanguard.

[Dojo]

This music really really grows onto you. Ah, I love it. Very soothing and something I can listen to for a long time.

[Melchizedek]

I played the music at work today no less than 15 times. Everyone wanted to know what movie it was from. LOL This is awesome. You should have seen the faces of some of the people when I told them it was composed on a computer for a video game that has not been released yet. This is going to be the bomb.

[Pirotess]

It definitely has a Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon feel to it. I could see it in one of the more quiet scenes. Perhaps a flashback or something like that.

[Aredhel]

I can't wait to hear more! I remember when EQ changed to a more quality sound track...I sat and listened to the opening for half an hour before I even went to character log-in! And this has that beat!! Music is my life, as it is, so mood and quality is important for play time as a background. ADD needs something to fill in the air between my ears!