Matthew Johnston, Greg Rahn, Kane Minkus

audio (85 MB)

Matt's Presentation

This session will juxtapose human-computer interface design theory with audio design in casual games. We’ll examine ways that audio has traditionally been used in interface design to communicate critical user information, implement emotion, and make technology more useable. Then we will look at three different casual games that use audio to communicate in different ways, and get to the root of what makes really great yet informative casual game audio design.

Greg's Presentation

Creating a game experience that engages the player is an important and challenging aspect of casual game development. Consistency supports suspension of disbelief, recognition evokes time and place, and subtlety aids in immersion. But casual game developers face special challenges when it comes to using audio to evoke responses. Producing audio for such hit games as Family Feud Online Party, The Poppit Show, and the Jewel Quest Series, each presented unique hurdles. This session presents a practical approach to facing these challenges, allowing you to keep file sizes down, performance tight, and still deliver a sonic experience that captivates the player.

Kane's Presentation

A conceptual framework for managing the creative process of anything, learn how the SomaTone Interactive Audio team uses this approach in the design, production & management of soundtracks for casual games. Having applied this in games like Mystery Case Files Series, Peggle, Dream Chronicles, etc., understanding this approach gives a powerful tool to keep the ideas fresh and creative, while also providing a strategic approach to each project, quick alignment of creative visions, and easily facilitate great team communication. We will compare and contrast the use of this system to traditional creative approaches and show the value of utilizing a framework for creative processes. Find out how to apply this theory in your own practices!

Delivered at Casual Connect Amsterdam, February 2008

DOWNLOAD

Matthew Johnston (email)

Matthew Lee Johnston is a fourteen-year veteran of the video game industry.
As Audio Director for Microsoft Game Studios, he worked on some of the best selling game products of all time including the award winning Flight and Train Simulator series, Fable, Counter Strike, and Forza. While working on the Xbox mega-hit ŒFable¹, Matthew landed a deal with Danny Elfman, signifying the first time in history that a composer of that caliber has composed the theme to a video game.
While working in the Microsoft Games Division, Matthew¹s expertise was tapped by the other groups within the company, most notably the Windows group. As a result, MLJ assisted in creating some of the most pervasive sound design in computing history by designing sounds heard around the world in Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows CE.

In January 2004, Matthew broke out on his own to form a new company: Soni-Fi LLC. This new venture took high-end audio design into new realms while exploring the endless possibilities for sonifying the world in which we live. Soni-Fi designed civic audio installations, commercial audio environments, hardware device interfaces, and specialized consumer products.
The cross pollination of ideas from the virtual world to the real world - and back - is what made Soni-Fi a truly unique force in the world of design.

In November of 2006, MLJ could not resist a position as Senior Producer in the Expansions and Platforms group at the world-renowned casual game juggernaut, PopCap Games. He now works tirelessly to bring the highly addictive and entertaining PopCap titles to new platforms, such as home gaming consoles and other devices. His most recent coup-de-tat was achieved when he brought the critically lauded PC masterpiece "Peggle" to the much beloved iPod.

Greg Rahn (email)

Greg Rahn has been composing music and sound for interactive games since 1994. In the casual games genre, he has provided audio for over 75 titles including such hits as Family Feud Online Party, The Poppit Show, Jewel Quest Solitaire, and Casino Island. Other notable titles include Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The 80’s, Splinter Cell Double Agent, Carmen Sandiego and and Riven The Sequel To Myst. His soundtracks have been honored with various industry awards.
As a recording studio musician, Greg provided keyboard session work on spots for Huggies, Hershey’s, and Rice a Roni. and has performed with a diverse range of artists from Latin jazz great Pete Escovedo to rock guitar legend Ronnie Montrose.

Kane Minkus (email)

As the co-founder of SomaTone Interactive Audio, Kane Minkus has produced over 250 soundtracks for games (divided between the console, casual, downloadable, MMOG and handheld industries). Having experienced the position of managing both an outsourced development studio, as well as, outsource teams, Kane has had the unique opportunity to work with hundreds of game professionals on both sides of the equation. The SomaTone Team is currently the number one single provider of original music, sfx and VO for the casual game industry and has worked with 150 developers in 22 different countries. Clients include Big Fish Games, PlayFirst, Oberon, PopCap, Mumbo Jumbo, Sandlot, Ubisoft, EA, Disney, Nickelodeon, Sierra Online, Last Day Of Work, Wild Tangent, Three Rings, Zylom, etc. Their credits include: Mystery Case Files Series, Diner Dash Series, Peggle, Chocolatier Series, Dream Day Series, Virtual Villagers Series, Dream Chronicles, Travelogue Series, Bang! Howdy, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc.

Kane is also the cofounder of SomaEngineering an audio technology company currently designing an audio engine for the downloadable game industry, as well as, cofounder of AristoCreative, a project management and turn key solution for outsourced creative services for the game industry. Kane holds an Associates Degree in Finance from the University of Illinois, a BM in Music Business and Music Production & Engineering from Berklee College of Music, a Masters in Audio Production from Expressions School for New Media. Masters in Neuro Linguistics, Certification in Movement Analysis and has spent years studying excellence in management leadership with the California Leadership Center, a fortune 500 consulting firm.

HOME \| LECTURES & ARTICLES \| GAME DESIGN \| AUDIO PANEL audio (85 MB) Matt's Presentation This session will juxtapose human-computer interface design theory with audio design in casual games. We’ll examine ways that audio has traditionally been used in interface design to communicate critical user information, implement emotion, and make technology more useable. Then we will look at three different casual games that use audio to communicate in different ways, and get to the root of what makes really great yet informative casual game audio design. Greg's Presentation Creating a game experience that engages the player is an important and challenging aspect of casual game development. Consistency supports suspension of disbelief, recognition evokes time and place, and subtlety aids in immersion. But casual game developers face special challenges when it comes to using audio to evoke responses. Producing audio for such hit games as Family Feud Online Party, The Poppit Show, and the Jewel Quest Series, each presented unique hurdles. This session presents a practical approach to facing these challenges, allowing you to keep file sizes down, performance tight, and still deliver a sonic experience that captivates the player. Kane's Presentation A conceptual framework for managing the creative process of anything, learn how the SomaTone Interactive Audio team uses this approach in the design, production & management of soundtracks for casual games. Having applied this in games like Mystery Case Files Series, Peggle, Dream Chronicles, etc., understanding this approach gives a powerful tool to keep the ideas fresh and creative, while also providing a strategic approach to each project, quick alignment of creative visions, and easily facilitate great team communication. We will compare and contrast the use of this system to traditional creative approaches and show the value of utilizing a framework for creative processes. Find out how to apply this theory in your own practices! Delivered at Casual Connect Amsterdam, February 2008 DOWNLOAD Matthew Johnston (email) Matthew Lee Johnston is a fourteen-year veteran of the video game industry. As Audio Director for Microsoft Game Studios, he worked on some of the best selling game products of all time including the award winning Flight and Train Simulator series, Fable, Counter Strike, and Forza. While working on the Xbox mega-hit ŒFable¹, Matthew landed a deal with Danny Elfman, signifying the first time in history that a composer of that caliber has composed the theme to a video game. While working in the Microsoft Games Division, Matthew¹s expertise was tapped by the other groups within the company, most notably the Windows group. As a result, MLJ assisted in creating some of the most pervasive sound design in computing history by designing sounds heard around the world in Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows CE. In January 2004, Matthew broke out on his own to form a new company: Soni-Fi LLC. This new venture took high-end audio design into new realms while exploring the endless possibilities for sonifying the world in which we live. Soni-Fi designed civic audio installations, commercial audio environments, hardware device interfaces, and specialized consumer products. The cross pollination of ideas from the virtual world to the real world - and back - is what made Soni-Fi a truly unique force in the world of design. In November of 2006, MLJ could not resist a position as Senior Producer in the Expansions and Platforms group at the world-renowned casual game juggernaut, PopCap Games. He now works tirelessly to bring the highly addictive and entertaining PopCap titles to new platforms, such as home gaming consoles and other devices. His most recent coup-de-tat was achieved when he brought the critically lauded PC masterpiece "Peggle" to the much beloved iPod. Greg Rahn (email) Greg Rahn has been composing music and sound for interactive games since 1994. In the casual games genre, he has provided audio for over 75 titles including such hits as Family Feud Online Party, The Poppit Show, Jewel Quest Solitaire, and Casino Island. Other notable titles include Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The 80’s, Splinter Cell Double Agent, Carmen Sandiego and and Riven The Sequel To Myst. His soundtracks have been honored with various industry awards. As a recording studio musician, Greg provided keyboard session work on spots for Huggies, Hershey’s, and Rice a Roni. and has performed with a diverse range of artists from Latin jazz great Pete Escovedo to rock guitar legend Ronnie Montrose. Kane Minkus (email) As the co-founder of SomaTone Interactive Audio, Kane Minkus has produced over 250 soundtracks for games (divided between the console, casual, downloadable, MMOG and handheld industries). Having experienced the position of managing both an outsourced development studio, as well as, outsource teams, Kane has had the unique opportunity to work with hundreds of game professionals on both sides of the equation. The SomaTone Team is currently the number one single provider of original music, sfx and VO for the casual game industry and has worked with 150 developers in 22 different countries. Clients include Big Fish Games, PlayFirst, Oberon, PopCap, Mumbo Jumbo, Sandlot, Ubisoft, EA, Disney, Nickelodeon, Sierra Online, Last Day Of Work, Wild Tangent, Three Rings, Zylom, etc. Their credits include: Mystery Case Files Series, Diner Dash Series, Peggle, Chocolatier Series, Dream Day Series, Virtual Villagers Series, Dream Chronicles, Travelogue Series, Bang! Howdy, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc. Kane is also the cofounder of SomaEngineering an audio technology company currently designing an audio engine for the downloadable game industry, as well as, cofounder of AristoCreative, a project management and turn key solution for outsourced creative services for the game industry. Kane holds an Associates Degree in Finance from the University of Illinois, a BM in Music Business and Music Production & Engineering from Berklee College of Music, a Masters in Audio Production from Expressions School for New Media. Masters in Neuro Linguistics, Certification in Movement Analysis and has spent years studying excellence in management leadership with the California Leadership Center, a fortune 500 consulting firm.