“Will an audio vendor adapt to our workflow?” “Will the experience be seamless and fruitful?” Whether to incorporate an external vendor or collaborator into sound design is a common dilemma for many iGaming companies. The desire to avoid complications is paramount. And what they seek is someone who understands their needs and can seamlessly engage at any stage of the game development process. The emphasis is on finding a partner who brings both understanding and flexibility to the table. 😀

As Ark One Studios, we’ve been in the industry for many years. and we have had the honor to sonorize for over 120 titles, including Slots, Bingos, Card Games, Roulettes and Scratch-Off.

Along this path, we learned a lot from the industry. Especialy how to work with different companies, each with its particular audio signature, workflow, specific requirements, communications platform, etc. We’ll soon publish an article talking more about that, yet for today we will focus on how adapted ourselves to best attach to the client’s workflow most seamlessly.

Where Do We Start:

Basically, wherever our clients want, need, or simply can. We either start midway as they move forward in the development process or from the very initial stages:

• Conceptual Idea
• Game Design Document (GDD)
• GDD + General Art
• Game Demo

1 – Discovery (Optional)

Based on the project’s starting point and specific requirements, we will suggest the ideal soundscape for the game by creating a detailed Audio Script (also useful as follow-up documentation). This document includes:

• Background music, additional variations, and how to implement them into the game.
• Generic sounds, such as reel stops.
• Specific sounds that will sync with their corresponding symbols and animations.

The nature, duration, and implementation of all these sounds, whether they are one-shot, loops, or require some other special treatment, will also be included in this audio script.

We take a proactive approach to assisting our clients who may encounter challenges or seek additional support in the conceptual aspects of music or audio design. Leveraging our extensive experience, we eagerly provide creative suggestions tailored to optimize the sound experience for each game.

2 – Background Music

As soon as we get the green light, we start working on the musical concept. The kickoff can be triggered by a comprehensive discussion with the client, references provided by them, or a thoroughly articulated idea of their preferences and requirements. Regardless of the scenario, we diligently ensure that we gather all the necessary information to turn our client’s vision into reality.

3 – General Sound Design and More Music

Once the music is approved, we start working on generic sounds and music for different game scenes and awards.

For this instance, art and information about the symbols, win mechanics, etc, is generally provided (it can also be a game demo), so that we can design music and sound to flow accurately based on what is happening in the game.

4 – Specific Sounds

The last phase/stage of our work is dedicated to creating and designing specific sounds … To achieve this, we focus on developing animations that will seamlessly integrate into the game or game demo.

5 – Delivery

Our clients get to choose which platform is ideal: standard files upload or through repositories, with or without VPN, etc.

The industry standard for sound and music assets is .wav format in either 41.1 kHz / 16 bit or 48 kHz / 24 bit, but we can deliver in any format and with any technical specifications you need. Deliverables will follow the loudness range as defined by EBU R128 Standard, which the broadcast and content streaming industries have universally adopted.

Assets will be delivered with the agreed-upon naming convention and organization (as stated in the Audio Script).

6 – Testing

After successfully integrating the music and audio into the game, we perform an internal trial to assess its performance. Then we send it to our client for feedback, aiming to implement any necessary adjustments to ensure the realization of their vision. As a concluding step, we conduct a comprehensive quality assurance functional test. This is to ensure that every element sounds flawless and aligns seamlessly with the overall gaming experience.

Conclusions

Our specialization in audio for iGaming has been an exciting adventure. So far, it has taken us on journeys to Egypt and then back to the future, traversing the realms from animated worlds to the creation of the most lifelike soundscapes. These challenges are very exciting! Along the way, we continuously immerse ourselves in learning about emerging trends and cutting-edge technology. Our commitment is to deliver the best possible audio experience to our clients. We extend an invitation for you to join us on board. Let’s embark on a collaborative journey for your next audio project! Are you ready to give it a try?