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The Sounds Of Skyrim



In a sprawling role-playing epic like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, good audio can make or break the experience. An out-of-place musical theme, a poor voice actor in a key role, or a goofy sound effect can ruin the immersion, pulling players out of the excitement of the game. At the same time, strong audio work can help a game soar, deepening every level of involvement in the world of the game. We talked with Mark Lampert, audio director and sound designer at Bethesda Game Studios, and the chief architect of the aural experience players will encounter in Skyrim. He revealed details on all the sound elements players will encounter in the game, and had some fascinating examples of his work to share.

Jump to any or all of the four videos that sound interesting.

Video 1: Lampert discusses sound design and sound effects of Skyrim, and how he collects the elements of those sounds in the field. He then reveals the sound effects behind a new creature in Skyrim, and shows off a new spell and the awesome sounds that accompany its casting.



Video 2: We hear some of Skyrim's early voice recording work from Max von Sydow (including new lines no one has yet heard), and Lampert reveals the philosophy behind voice work in the game. Lampert also discusses Sydow's character, and how he fits into the game world.

 

Video 3: Skyrim's sound designer explains the challenges of creating audio for the dragons of Skyrim, and discusses how he will create dragon shouts, one of the new gameplay mechanics of Skyrim.



Video 4: Lampert shows off some of the amazing musical score for Skyrim, composed by series mainstay Jeremy Soule. Can you hear the original Elder Scrolls theme as it weaves its way into the new music?

For more from our growing hub of in-depth content on all the unique elements of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, click on the image below.

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Comments
  • I want this game so bad!

  • I would actually, literally kill a man if it meant I could play this game right now. Every bit of information makes me want this more.

  • Have to admit that Elder Scrolls wasn't on my radar until I read the Game Informer magazine on it. After watching these videos it has cemented Skyrim as a definite purchase for me in 2011. Keep up the good work.

  • It is amazing to me that just the theme and sounds of the new music and the old Elder Scrolls music can bring back great memories to my mind. I remember playing Morrowind for first time on my friends computer since mine would not play it. I had to build my own computer to run the game. It was amazing to have that flash to my head just by hearing the song. I have played all of the Elder Scrolls games and that theme just brings to my mind some of my favorite times gaming growing up.  

  • Amazing sound work. Great videos.

  • I love the pictures on the thumbnail for the video about the score (Mads Mikkelsen and Technoviking)

  • DUDE! I know who they should have as the dragon voice actor! Liam Neeson all the way! His voice is so sweet. He was awesome in batman begins and taken, and he played aslan in the chronicles of narnia. I guess his voice may be too nice for a dragon, but it's still awesome.
  • It seems Bethesda is very dedicated to their sound design which is a really good sign.

  • Sound design is so immensely interesting to witness... so many layers of simple sounds to create something else. So many levels and gauges and monitors. So many different facets of sound that we take for granted as we play games take so much time to craft. Awesome videos.

  • A game's score / sound design is one of the most crucial elements.  I absolutely love the ambient music throughout the ELDER SCROLLS / FALLOUT games...

  • Oblivion has to be one of the great games with even better music.

  • thanks this is awesome! sound design is an under appreciated art
  • "Just kind of blowing wind, and sand." lol
    You remind me of the guy from Force unleashed kind sir. Props to you.
    Great job on Ovlivion also, the music in that game made it just as amazing as the gameplay did.
  • "he could of read the Phonebook and it would have sounded great"

    danm... sounds good :D

    lets hope the entire Skyrim has great vocals this time around :)

  • This game seems to be ready to shatter the greatness that was Oblivion in every way possible. These videos were a great look into the sound and music creation for a game, and it seems ready to blow it out the door with Skyrim

  • Ughh.... why do these vids keep on crashing my browser? Was on Mozilla, now am trying Chrome, and I'm still crashing??

  • Ughh.... why do these vids keep on crashing my browser? Was on Mozilla, now am trying Chrome, and I'm still crashing??
  • The main theme sounds so sick! Can't wait for 11-11-11!

  • After he said "you still get the goosebumps at the back of your neck" and the song played, I totally got goosebumps on the back of my neck.

  • Better and better and better and better and better and better and better..........