Explosions in ArmA2 - Sound related

[Alex72 1]

I got a serious idea about explosion sounds for ArmA2. As we have seen the awesome graphics and as we know ArmA in general is kick ass i think ArmA2 would immerse us even more if this explosion sound idea found its way into ArmA2. The explosions would work like super sonic cracks works now: 1 sound file per explosion close (normal explosion sounds), and 1 sound file for explosions far away (thumpier low hertz more reverb kinda explosions that also ofcourse lose volume over distance). The explosion sounds im thinking of is the distant ones in EECH (Enemy Engaged). Anyone that has heard them knows what i mean. The explosions are are really "powerful low hertz thumps" that make you aware that there is a dangerous battle going on, and they immerse you a lot. As it is now in ArmA the normal explosions gets lower and lower in volume over distance only, and i think ArmA2 would bump up the immersion a lot and overall give a nicer WOW experience if this could be done.

So to recap the idea is that explosions have their normal explosion sounds when player is closer, and when explosions are further away, a new sound is played wich is thumpier. And that sound will have some randomness as well as the normal ones (like today). Which sounds that will make use of this i think will be the powerful stuff like A/C dropped bombs and missiles/rockets where the later can have lower volume of the far away explosion sound. Something like that.

This was just an idea for you BIS to think about if the sounds arent complete yet for ArmA2. Hopefully you will read this and think about it at least, and hopefully the engine can handle what im suggesting as its the same principle as the super sonic bullet cracks. I know that this great community might be able to do this as well, but it would be very nice if it found its way into ArmA2 from start. IMO anyway. Listen to the linked sound file (MP3) and see what im on about.

There are more variations on these explosions than in the MP3. But im getting my point through i hope.

What do the rest of you think about the idea?

Link (RAR:ed MP3): MP3 Distant Explosions

Regards

Alex

[ArMoGaDoN 0]

Well, with the new multi-layered sounds that BI are playing with on the aircraft, and IF that same sound engine is being used for other stuff, like the explosions, then simply lowering the higher-frequency parts of the sound while keeping or even boosting slightly the lower-frequency parts would give the effect of explosion 'crump' noises even better than switching sounds.

[Alex72 1]

I dont care how its done. The best way is ofcourse how it should be done. The idea of getting a higher degree of immersion, more baboom, is the important thing. Its about raising the experience im after. This is really awesome in EECH and i know it would add another dimension to ArmA.

[chammy 7]

i have to agree, extremely. There should be at least 3, close, 300m and distant. Same as weapons, just like BF2, although, in BF2, the weapons have the 1, 3 person, plus a distant by attaching the sound to the muzzle flash at a certain distance. But not for explosions.

[Alex72 1]

Nice to have someone that understands the importance of sounds agreeing with me.

We all know its important, most of us are using the communitys soundmods and we also know that if music/sounds are wrong in a particular entertainment product it takes away immersion. Think horror movie with mickey mouse sounds/music. I dont claim that ArmA sounds are mickey mouse though! That was just a point that the better the sounds, the more immersed you get. Sounds are extremelly important and i seriously think ArmA2 would kick ass even more with these explosion thumps in the distance. And i posted this in all seriousness in hope that this could be done in ArmA2 as its not new AI or animations im asking for. And its an idea i think would give all of us more immersion. Its not a selfish request, i had you all in mind.

My thaughts went something like this: Imagine your on your way towards the battlefield. Maybe your transported by a ural or sitting with your mates in a humwv. You see jets going over your heads towards the "zone" and after some seconds you start hearing these low-key bassy thumps...

I dont think anyone can say its a bad idea for ArmA. But hey, if the sounds are done, theyre done, i respect that. Then maybe the talented soundmod makers like the gentleman above and others we seen can deliver yet again. I worked with sounds myself within entertainment for many years so i will gladly assist in getting the sounds to whoever could do this as im crap at configs and cant help in that departement yet.

EDIT: Who knows though - maybe this is done already? Sorry in that case for using up posting space!

Regards

Alex

[Kirq 0]

I agree, sound is after gameplay and graphics most important immersion factor. I will be very happy if we receive top-notch sounds in initial release. I know that talented moders like Chammy can repair/replace it within few months but I wish that their time could be spend on adding new content to the game not repairing broken one.

[Alex72 1]

Yep as much as possible from scratch will give us more diverse online gaming for sure. So hard these days to catch a pub server late at night when friends sleep as so few want to use newer great addons. And it sure looks like BIS got most of our wishes in. Im totally confident, i just wanted to add an idea i think will enhance ArmA2 greatly.

So BIS, is it possible or seem like a good idea to you to add distant explosion sounds that will BLOW us away?

Regards

Alex

[LJF 0]

I just hope they use decent sounds for EVERYTHING. If you listen to gun sounds in games and gun sounds in real life (or even news footage) there is a dramatic difference. Sure, they sound very similar, but the sounds no longer have grunt, they are polished and "cleaned" and LIFELESS. Please, I really do hope the fiddling is kept to a minimum.

[Alex72 1]

Yep im with ya mate. They said they reworked the sound so im confident. I just wanted to throw out the option to add secondary explosion sounds as that would dramatically enhance the immersion (IMO). When they just go lower and lower you wont hear them on the way to the battlezone... But with the idea i braught up made in EECH we would hear distant low bassy thumps making us crap ourself

What ArmA needs in terms of all the other sounds is more reverb. They are too dry (lifeless as you said) and when all the sounds are "dry" they wont melt into eachother and make less immersion. Big MG's should produce longer reverbs. Just watch big guns firing at a meadow and youll hear the "echo" (reverb). This is missing in stock ArmA and should be added in ArmA2. I dont want over use of reverb ofcourse, just closer to reality overall. And those thumps are realistic as well.

Dont know why this affected me so hard, but ive experienced those sounds now and i cant get it off my mind and i think they would raise ArmA2 as a product... just because some sounds yep.

[LJF 0]

Yeah, I know what you mean now, the bigger the bang, the higher the "boom" factor (lots of bass and reverb).

[bravo 6 0]

After watching several recent videos about ArmA2, i truly think the explosion sounds need some special care. Explosion Sounds need to be more different and random!

In the following videos you can clearly understand what i mean.

When an explosion occurs on the ground or directly in the vehicle or even when secondary explosions, we always hear the same characteristic sound and it really really annoys!!

When a helfire hit a tank, or when a tank explode, or when it fire, the sound is the same. BIS, please for the sake of the community make these sounds to look different and random for these situations.

Some examples to what i mean:

[bhaz 0]

I was thinkin' about this a few weeks back aswell after youtubing ArmA. When there's a whole chain of explosions it sorta just feels like a copy and paste job. Personally I think there should be 3-4 explosions for each distance that are just randomized, it'd sound a whole lot better than the loopfest.

[CarlGustaffa 4]

And compare that sound with this, 155mm airburst sure, but notice the snappyness of the sound compared to the deep boom you hear in Arma2:

YuzT9sMkmVM

[Alex72 1]

Yep we sure need someone to make impacts - explosions.

Ok ill start digging. Maybe we can combine forces and try get the best explosion sounds we can find. But there is need for explosions for sure. With new varied and powerful ones ARMA2 is gonna sound amazing.

Alex

[Hyp3rdyn3 10]

And compare that sound with this, 155mm airburst sure, but notice the snappyness of the sound compared to the deep boom you hear in Arma2:

That doesn't look like a very professional recording to judge from, it really needs to be recorded with proper equipment to get the most accurate sound spectrum possible. I would guess that the low frequency boom exists but is being lost/transformed in the recording.