Gaming Audio: Halo Reach Vs Battlefield Bad Company 2

So this topic is a key one for me.  Sound design and video games.   I guess I can consider myself an aspiring audiophile.  I know what I like, but I'm not really versed enough to really explain it all especially down to the technical aspects.  However....I will work my way there, and if any of you have opinions or thoughts, contribute and help me grow.

So...for this blog I wanted to write about gaming sounds between Halo Reach and Battlefield Bad Company 2 (BC2).   I've owned a copy of BC2 since it came out in March and have logged massive hours playing it online.  Halo Reach though, came out just over a week ago and has been the game dominating my time recently.

On Sunday last week I felt tired of the Halo online experience and noticed a friend online playing BC2.   I swapped games and joined my friends game in session.   

One thing I must stress before I continue on is that I play my games using a Onkyo 7.1 home theater system.   If its a quiet night and I want to play I plug in my Turtlebeach HPA2 headphones for full surround right on my ears.   

Back to the gaming.   As soon as I spawn, we are on the Isle Innocentes map as defenders.   I spawn to immediately hear 3 amazing in game sounds.  First, there is a chopper overhead flying past the island to flank us.  BC2 does an incredible job of what I consider accurate sound effects along w/ the doppler effect.   Next I hear the crack and whiz of a sniper bullet go right past me.  Finally, a teammate beside me fires off an RPG at a distant target.  All these sound effects were such a boost compared to what I was hearing in games for Halo.  Its partially my personal opinion, but also the amazing in game audio design that sets a game like BC2 apart from the rest.  In this case I've compared it to Halo, but truthfully they aren't in the same class. 

Halo's audio soundtrack is an amazing piece of work crafted by Martin O'Donnell and his audio team.  Aside from the soundtrack the in game effects are a great fit.  However, this game is based on sci-fi fantasy, so as much fun as it is to play the effects are made up and likely computer generated.  The vehicles are completely fictional so their sounds are also augmented or synthesized.    I love the Halo story, soundtrack and gameplay, but that is where it ends and games like BC2 steal the show.

I challenge those reading this blog to try a test and see if you ears can tell the difference, and then see if you even care.   This challenge is likely best experienced through some form of surround sound for you to get the best experience, but standard stereo speakers may do justice for you as well.  

Try each game out.  If you can, play campaign or some mode that is not fully action packed and listen for the ambient sounds in game of the local environment.  Rotate your character and listen to how the game adjusts sounds based on your location and view point.   Next try shooting or blowing up items in different spaces.  One amazing attribute to sound design in BC2 is when firing a gun in the open there is one sound.  If you get near a rock or enclosure, notice the echo effect.   I've also noted the vast difference in weapon sounds in BC2, so that you may learn to identify not just the 3D location of players but what weapons they may be using in game.   3D audio positioning is key to any First Person Shooter.  One of the most important factors you may never have thought about is footsteps.  If you're in full combat, or in sneak attack, hearing an adversary walking by can make the difference in your saving your own life or taking someone from behind!