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During the early 90's Sega Cd was introduced, it was at this time that the amount of memory available for games increased; now samples, as well as recordings, could be used- as opposed to the previously synthesized sound. In 1995, Sony releases the 32-bit PlayStation, equipped with a 24-channel sound chip provides CD-quality stereo sound and has built-in support for digital effects such as reverb and looping. .
In 1998, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time debuts on the Nintendo 64. It features music-making as part of its game play. In the game, one uses the ocarina, an instrument similar to a flute, to teleport, open portals, or summon allies. There is also a musical puzzle in which the player must follow the bass line of a song in order to make it through the Lost Woods. .
At the turn of the millennium, Sony introduces PlayStation 2 to the market, with its 128-bit Emotion Engine CPU, the system possesses 48 channels of sound as well as 2MB of dedicated sound memory.
SOUND DESIGN IN VIDEO GAMES.
Game audio is a very powerful weapon. When used properly it has the power to excite, involve, immerse, elevate and reward. It can make an artificial world appear to be deeper, older, and much more complex and complete than it actually is. .
Early sound effects in video games were entirely programmed, whether in code or hardwired circuit programs. No samples or recordings were used due to the lack, and immense cost, of memory. Nowadays, due to the shift from cartridge to CD, much more memory is available, and synthesized sound has almost been eliminated. Playing back samples and recordings has become the norm because they are simply more realistic, however MIDI is still being used due to its space saving properties.
Even with today's abundance of memory, audio gets the short end of the stick. Sound often gets the last consideration; it is afforded the smallest budget as well as the smallest space "memory "as it is still mostly support for the graphics.
