Why Game Trailers Need Sound Effects | Video Game Trailer Academy
329With a few exceptions, game trailers are better when the sound effects are on, because it gives a better feel for the gameplay.
Original blog post - https://www.derek-lieu.com/blog/2020/1/10/why-your-game-trailer-needs-sound-effects-on
The tl;dr:
Sound effects are important to video game design, so it's only natural to conclude they're important to feature in the game's trailers as well. They help flesh out the feel of a game, and can even help the viewer better see and understand the quick cut shots in the game's trailer.
Yes, working sound effects into a game trailer is extra work, and can be a detriment to a game trailer when done poorly, but to not even try to take advantage of them is to miss an opportunity to better represent the game in the trailer.
Think of the sound effects as an additional musical score to the trailer, and/or a means to punctuate moments and lines of dialogue. When integrating sound effects, strip out any unnecessary sounds which aren't related to the primary focus of a shot, and also make sure the sound effects aren't stepping on any other elements or making them difficult to be heard.
Video Chapters
00:00 - Why sound is important in games
01:17 - How sound effects make game trailers better
02:18 - Why working with sound effects is difficult
02:46 - When sound effects are poorly edited into a trailer
03:17 - Sound effects are an opportunity to flesh out the game
04:08 - Sound effects as score and trailer punctuation
04:50 - Tips for integrating sound effects into game trailers
06:50 - Final thoughts
Trailers shown (in order of appearance)
The Adventure Pals Launch Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke1n3h-P5EE
Dead Cells Brutal Update Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpvSOxQ_orA
The American Dream Launch Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nJRsWTzeQw
Half-Life: Alyx Reveal Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2W0N3uKXmo
Cybershadow Announce Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA_Sy-PkeMU
Katana ZERO Therapy Session Session Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOdcl39LRo0
Final Fantasy VII Remake Trailer E3 2019 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3xSGv3Hfio
La Mulana 1 & 2 Hidden Treasures Edition Launch Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGi-CXoFZEM
Subnautica Launch Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtP8r8nRfko
Way of the Passive Fist Launch Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9QwNonOnvY
Battlefield V - Chapter 4 Defying the Odds Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVy9_DyIosQ
Battlefield V - Operation Underground Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRxUXoVNcK0
Cosmic Trip Launch Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxQXeGeI2uc
Firewatch June 2015 Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXWlgP5hZzc
Anarcute Launch Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpJX4vZMjT0
Dead Cells Release Date Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02G3GUt6Nzo
Sea of Stars Summer of Games Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZVLA08lcR0
Heaven's Vault Story Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghsVOE93C9o
Ooblets E3 Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQDAbAhjEN4
Neo Cab Story Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzFKrqffkQg&t=3s
Figment Launch Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yIIbH0SEmw
Starbear Taxi Launch Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8WTG7wANG0
Links
All Weapons (Sounds, Relaod Animation, Equipment) - The Last of Us Part II (PS4 Pro) 4K HDR - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdF-KQNJ-yM
Maxell Tapes Over 500 Plays TV Commercial HD - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_SHOOotsnA
—
ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Derek Lieu and I'm a game trailer editor! I got my start in the movie trailer industry as an assistant editor at a house which produced trailers for: The Matrix Trilogy, Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean and many more.
Over many years I worked as an editor and started making fan trailers for games, until eventually I got jobs at game trailer houses in Los Angeles where I worked on games like Mortal Kombat X, Shadow of Mordor and lots of LEGO games. Independently I've helped make trailers for games like: Half-Life: Alyx, Firewatch, Dead Cells, Subnautica, Spelunky 2, Ooblets and BattleBlock Theater.
I'm using this channel to teach people about the art of making trailers via video essays, tutorials, reviews, and behind-the-scenes looks at my own work. I think about trailers a lot both for work and fun, so I have A LOT to say about them.
#gametrailers #indiegametrailers #trailerediting
Website: http://www.derek-lieu.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/derek_lieu
Cats' Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/uniandebi
#indiegametrailers #gametrailersound #gametrailerediting
Other Videos By Derek Lieu
Other Statistics
Dead Cells Statistics For Derek Lieu
Derek Lieu currently has 80,424 views spread across 4 videos for Dead Cells. Less than an hour worth of Dead Cells videos were uploaded to his channel, less than 0.82% of the total video content that Derek Lieu has uploaded to YouTube.