Ask EA!

[Drax]

Just got a great email from representatives at EA about a new program:

Continuing with improved support for fan sites, we'd like to initiate a
new program with over the course of the next couple months.

This program is called Ask EA and is an opportunity to ask questions
about the game that will be addressed by the EA Team. This is a unique
opportunity that I think you're site audiences will enjoy as well as
provides additional content to your web sites.

Here's how it would work. Create a forum on your site where your
members can post their questions. At the designated date, send those
questions to me. I'll compile, send to the team to complete, then
distribute back to the group as one finalized Q&A.

Now we won't be able to answer all questions, but if we work
collectively, we'll be able to generate a solid database of information
as well as allow us to work closer together as a group. (Ironically, a
request that came in from someone on the surveys. )

Please let me know if you'd be interested in participating in this
project. I'll draw up a more finalized schedule for those
participating, bur for sake of time, here's what we'd be looking at.

Questions due to JL: 8/13
Questions sent to team: 8//17
Questions returned to JL: 8/23
Questions returned to group: 8/25

Our plan is to also include assets that will accompany (in some
capacity) the topic of the month. Speaking of which, the kick off topic
will Music/Audio.

So there you have it. Ask away about the music/audio in GoldenEye Rogue Agent!

[Spanner]

Okay... who will be composing GoldenEye: Rogue Agent?

[Jack Wade]

Actually, that's already been announced, Spanner.

[Spanner]

Has it? I had looked but not found. Oh well.

[Jack Wade]

I see...

Paul Oakenfold will be scoring the game.

[Spanner]

Excellent.

[Jack Wade]

Ehh... I guess so. I'd rather have someone not as techno-oriented, but since it's a video game, I don't mind as much.

Here's a question... will there be any variations of the James Bond theme in the game?

[Perminisconious]

Hey Gang,

First I want to apologize. This Ask EA project was much bigger than we had anticipated and is taking much longer to address than we had hoped. I'm expecting answers in the next day or two so I'll send them out as soon as I get them.

But in trying to maintain a schedule, I'd like to give you the topic for the next session. This time is definitely something more up the collective alley. Let's get questions on these topics:
- E.V.I.L. AI
- Weapons
- Duel Wielding
- Melee Combat

Naturally, the sooner you can submit questions, the better, but let's have a drop date of 9/16. I'll send them to the team to be answered and we should be able to get them back much sooner than this last time.

...

Ok, that's all from this end. Give me a shout if you have any questions.

So feel free to ask any questions about these topics. You have a week.

[Gale Weathers]

Will there be any signature James Bond villain or henchmen weapons in Goldeneye: RA?

[Perminisconious]

Well, we finally got the answers to the first edition of Ask EA (Sound/Audio). EA answered selected questions from all submitters, so there is a bit more variety in the questions.

1. Who will be composing the score for GoldenEye: Rogue Agent?

We have world-renowned DJ, Paul Oakenfold, as the music supervisor for GoldenEye: Rogue Agent. Best known for spinning records at huge parties and contributing to several major motion pictures, Paul will compose an original score and create the game’s overarching musical personality. We knew we wanted Paul because he brings a hard-driving, intensity to all the music he composes. Moreover, Paul will add a new dimension to the gameplay experience by emphasizing intense moments throughout each mission. For example, the music will react to what’s occurring in the game, switching throughout each mission based on location, the AI, and the player’s reaction to events around them.

2. Will the score be a string/orchestral style, pop music style, a techno style, or any other particular style?

We wanted the music to be edgy just like the title character, GoldenEye. Moreover, the music needed to harness the excitement and energy that comes from being immersed in the Bond underworld. Thus, we knew Paul’s trance style of electronic music would fit perfectly with the game.

To bring the music to a new level, music in GoldenEye: Rogue Agent is an ever changing remix-on-the-fly. If the player plays the game over and over, the music will never be the same twice. Even if the player were to play the same level over again, the music will be different. This is because the music reacts to the player’s style.

With the right sound system, it will feel like Paul is spinning right in your living room.

3. Will we ever hear Goldeneye himself speak, and if so, who provides his voice?

GoldenEye is a guy who lets his actions speak for themselves. Thus, the character is a man of few words, however, throughout the game, you’ll here sounds that are distinctly GoldenEye.

4. What is the voice cast list for GoldenEye: Rogue Agent? If possible, could you provide a full cast list?

We’ve enlisted a cast of talented voice actors to bring life to the characters. In addition to these, we’ve also brought back some of the most recognizable Bond actors. The Hollywood talent roster includes Christopher Lee, who is reprising his role as the villainous Francisco Scaramanga from The Man with the Golden Gun and Judi Dench, who returns as M and has appeared in four James Bond films to date.

5. How key is it for EA to have a strong score/soundtrack? Which aspect do you feel is more important visuals or the audio, or are they both equal?

Music and sound effects make a huge contribution to a game’s overall feel and help to set the environment and overall vibe. It was important for GoldenEye: Rogue Agent to have stellar sound, amazing music, top caliber dialog performances and a visceral tone that coincides with the ‘rogue’ theme of the game.

6. Is there a special group of people that work just on music or is left up to the people working on the game to fit everything together?

We have a team dedicated to the game’s audio. Gregory Allen, the audio director for the game, oversees the creation and implementation of the audio that appears in the game. His team presently consists of audio integrators, dialogue engineers, sound designers, and two mixing engineers. Together, they work with Paul to integrate the music seamlessly into the game.

7. How much time do you spend on making sure a song fits a game just right or is it you just hear a song and you work?

In general, we spend as much time on the sound as the animators and engineers spend building the game. In the end, the audio must match the visuals. To get there, Gregory will take sections of the game and put them into a music editing program. From there he creates a mix of how he envisioned the audio engine working in the game. We’ll repeat that process until it sounds right.

8. How many songs/tunes will there be in GE:RA?

Right now, it’s difficult to quantify exactly how many songs there will be in the end product. What we can tell you is our audio team is working with close to 200 songs totaling over 2.5 hours of music

9. Will 5.1 Dolby Digital surround be supported? Fully?

All consoles will support Dolby Pro Logic 2 and the Xbox will feature Dolby Digital. Additionally, our sound is certified by THX.

10. Ask EA how they do their sound effects. Do they create tracks & noises "in-house"? Do they have a "foley studio"? Is there a "canned & computerized" sound system? I know that sounds are manipulated & altered, but where do they come from?

There are a number of sources we use for sound effects. We begin by testing various sources, but will continue the search and tweak until the sound is just right. If we’re still not satisfied, we may turn to Hollywood sound design teams that are familiar with audio projects of this scope. One of the teams we are working with right now worked on The Lord of the Rings and other blockbuster movies.

Furthermore, to bring the music and sound effects into the 3D realm, we use mapping to better simulate a real-world environment. By this, we are referring to ”global sound effects.“ These are sounds such as over-the-top weapon fire or a huge explosion from a grenade. We want the players to feel like the weapon they are holding is the biggest and badest weapon ever. We achieve this through clever sound design. Our goal is to use audio to play on a gamer’s emotions. For example, when you hear a gun shot from a non-player character (NPC) in GoldenEye: Rogue Agent, the sound will actually change as the NPC gets closer to you based on real-world physics. We are using sound to create the first, first-person shooter that really makes the player feel like they are living and breathing inside this Bond underworld.

11. Will the James Bond theme be worked into the score even though Rogue Agent is a villain’s game?

There is a chance you might here the original James Bond theme by Monty Norman. Watch out for our new television commercial which seamlessly integrates the original theme with Oakenfold’s edgy sound.

12. Akin to how James Bond has his instantly recognizable theme, will the character of GoldenEye also have a theme of his own?

GoldenEye will have a title track that will be edgy to match his persona.

13. Will the ethnicity of the locations in the game rub off on the music? i.e.: Will the Hong Kong levels have Chinese themed music?

The music of each level will have a distinct feel to it, complimenting the setting. For instance, when you travel to the rooftops of Hong Kong, the music will integrate some local themes.

14. Will there be a CD release for the GE:RA soundtrack?

When you pre-order the game, you’ll receive 30 days of free service to REAL/Rhapsody. Included with this, you’ll be able to stream the music from the game as well as more than 750,000 songs!

[Gale Weathers]

Now, not all of those questions were asked from BM, am I correct?

[Drax]

Correct. Others were asked from CBn, MI6, AJB and multiple gaming sites.

[hiteman34]

Now does United Artist and MGM, the James Bond world place BM as one of the best james bond websites?

[Gale Weathers]

What is CBn?
Where there a wave of different question categories? I think I asked a question in some other category.

[Perminisconious]

CBn is CommanderBond.net. There was a second wave of questions, but I didn't submit any questions from here. The date completely slipped my mind. I don't know if Tom covered my butt on that one or not, though.