How do you budget your game audio resources?

1 Define your audio goals

Before you start creating or sourcing your audio assets, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve with your game audio. What is the genre, mood, and style of your game? What are the main audio features and functions that you need to support your gameplay and narrative? How do you want to use sound to enhance immersion, feedback, and emotion? By defining your audio goals, you can prioritize your audio needs and avoid wasting time and money on unnecessary or irrelevant sounds.

2 Estimate your audio budget

Once you have your audio goals, you need to estimate how much audio you will need and how much it will cost. This depends on several factors, such as the scope, scale, and complexity of your game, the quality and variety of your audio assets, the platforms and engines that you are targeting, and the sources and methods that you are using to create or acquire your audio. You can use tools like spreadsheets, calculators, or estimators to help you plan your audio budget and track your expenses.

3 Optimize your audio assets

One of the most important ways to budget your game audio resources is to optimize your audio assets for performance and efficiency. This means reducing the file size, memory usage, and CPU load of your audio assets, without compromising quality or functionality. You can use techniques like compression, streaming, trimming, looping, and batching to optimize your audio assets. You can also use tools like audio middleware, editors, or analyzers to help you optimize your audio assets and monitor their impact on your game.

4 Balance your audio mix

Another key aspect of budgeting your game audio resources is to balance your audio mix for clarity and consistency. This means adjusting the volume, frequency, and spatialization of your audio assets, so that they fit well together and convey the intended information and emotion. You can use techniques like ducking, filtering, equalizing, and reverberating to balance your audio mix. You can also use tools like audio meters, scopes, or simulators to help you balance your audio mix and test it on different devices and environments.

5 Update and iterate your audio

Finally, budgeting your game audio resources is not a one-time process, but a continuous one. You need to update and iterate your audio as your game evolves and changes, and as you receive feedback and input from your team, testers, or players. You need to review and revise your audio goals, budget, assets, and mix regularly, and make sure that they align with your game vision and expectations. You also need to document and communicate your audio changes and decisions clearly and effectively.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?