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MI6 grabbed some time with "Director of Advanced
Technology" Mark Tuffy, to chat about how THX
will fit into the forthcoming Bond game Everything
or Nothing"...
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Interview - THX (2)
28th February 2004
Continuing...
What are the main differences between playback for a
computer game and motion picture?
The two main differences are the equipment used for playback
and the playback environment. There are a variety of different
playback
platforms for games-PS2, X-Box, GameCube or PCs-and each translates
the game experience uniquely. Each platform has its own hardware,
and each has its strengths and weaknesses. That means we have
to look at how the audio content will playback on all the platforms,
and what is the best for each particular platform. For example
the X-box has Dolby Digital capability, so should that sound
closer
to the movies? Maybe. There's the ability on PS2 to do DTS. So,
we really have to make sure that you can go from console to console
and have a very similar experience, even though they all playback
the content quite differently. In addition, we have to evaluate
the differences between the playback environments for films and
video games. Let's face it movie theatres are designed quite
differently
than the average living room. Room acoustics, background noise,
and placement of speakers and furniture all affect the sound
and
picture experience.
Above: Exclusive behind the scenes
at EA
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How challenging has it been to work on a video game
apposed to a movie?
The work we are doing with EA in their video and audio-mixing studios translates
well because we are working on equipment and in environments that are similar
in concept to post-production studios for filmmaking.
We're talking about audio
mixing and video editing rooms, and content creation stations. So, there
is a lot of correlation between the movie and DVD worlds,
and work that is happening
on video games. And as game production continues to advance and mature, the
development environments will become even closer to film
post-production. |
Even though the mind set is different between the filmmaking
and video game industries, the actual work that we do is very
similar because we are providing content creators-sound designers,
audio directors, graphic artists- the ability to have a controlled
environment to make their magic. So whilst the content maybe different,
the process and the way in which artists produce the sound and
visual content is very similar.
A Different Experience...
How will THX surround boast the Bond atmosphere from
a receiver standpoint?
Currently, THX does not require users to have specific receivers
or other home theatre components to benefit from our games
certification program. This means gamers can get an improved
sound and picture experience on their television sets or
PCs without having to purchase additional equipment. And
they can experience the games in Dolby Digital or DTS. However,
as our program expands and matures, it's quite possible
that we will develop a "games mode" for THX Certified
receivers. This will provide the user a replay system that
matches exactly the recording system that was used in the
game's development environment.
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What noticeable difference on will there be on the soundtrack
as apposed to previous 5:1 games?
What you should find is that all of the audio personnel working
on "Everything or Nothing" have had the ability to work in the
environments
where they can really tell, this is what the user should hear.
So they have advanced facilities now to do there work and a
lot
of the personnel reported that they really noticed a difference
in the environments and the way they monitor and hear things.
So I'm then hoping that because they have had the ability to
work in these advanced environments that the user will notice
a great
difference in things like soundstage in the impact of the music
in the ways that bass is used and in the ways that the surrounds
are used as well and also users will really notice a big difference.
Above: Exclusive behind the scenes
at EA
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Layman's Terms...
How does THX differ form Dolby Digital?
There is a misconception that THX competes with products
from Dolby and DTS. This isn't true. Dolby and DTS provide
technology to encode and decode audio information on game
programs, films and DVDs, and then send that information
to the correct surround channels on a user's home theatre
system. The THX Certified Games program is a set of standards
for producing and editing audio and video content for gaming
titles. It's meant to create a standardized environment
at development facilities to ensure the quality of the title
is delivered to the consumer.
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However, THX does set performance standards for home theatre
components, such as receivers and speakers; requiring consumer
electronics manufacturers to meet or exceed these standards to
achieve THX Certification. The THX standards and processes for
home theatre components help bring the true quality of film soundtracks
and multi-channel music to home audiences. In essence, the consumer
experiences the work exactly as it was created. The THX standards
take into account the size of the room, speaker and component
placement, as well as the way the content was originally mixed.
Today, THX Certified home theatre products are considered the
best in the industry, and are often used by filmmakers themselves
to work on their films at home.
What benefit will the game and gamers have et al?
Gamers will notice an improvement in the audio and visual quality.
They will see more detail in the visual images and experience
better, more vibrant colors. In terms of the audio, there will
be an improvement in the way sound is delivered from the studio
to the home. The goal is to create a more enveloping experience,
to actually surround the gamer with sound and pull them into the
action on-screen.
Many thanks to Mark Tuffy. Images
courtesy THX.
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Interview
- THX Mark Tuffy (Part 1)
MI6 "Everything or Nothing"
Coverage