Rami Al-Balawi
December 15, 2024 | Concept Arcade-Platformer
Hover Dash is a fast-paced, retro-futuristic hoverboard racing game set in a busy, urban cityscape. Players race through a dynamic environment, dodging obstacles, and collecting power-ups as they rush toward the finish line. The game emphasizes quick reflexes and fluid movement, immersing players in an intense, yet fun atmosphere.
Project Overview
The audio style of Hover Dash is fast-paced and energetic, blending futuristic timbres with funky and breakbeat elements. The sound design and music are aimed to enhance the gameplay experience, creating an exciting and immersive atmosphere for players of all ages. The game features a hoverboard racing concept in a futuristic urban setting, where advanced technology coexists with tattered, outdated tech.
The music in Hover Dash is upbeat and dynamic, driven by fast breakbeats and funky grooves. Featuring expressive guitars, moving basslines, clavinets, and horns, the music evokes a sense of thrill and exploration, with a spy-like flair. The tracks aim to complement the player’s high-speed maneuvers and maintain a fun, lighthearted tone throughout gameplay.
I designed and composed my audio using Pro Tools, and implemented them with FMOD using a systematic approach.
Roles
Technical Skills
Signal Flow Understanding
Audio cleanup
Balancing
Equalization
Compression & Limiting
Automation
Critical listening skills
Unity
C#
Creative Skills
Composition
Instrumental arrangement
Sound synthesis
Modulation
Effect processing
Adaptability based on visual source
It's safe to say that a great deal of work and learning came from this project. My objective was primarily focusing on the audio aspect, such as sound effects and music. However, I went as far as building a simple prototype of Hover Dash in Unity. I felt this method allowed me to target the audio assets in a more deliberate manner. This way, I could better visualize the core assets and general gameplay. This included the mechanics, power-ups, aesthetic, among other elements I wanted to call attention to.
The project also required me to deliver all facades of audio, allowing me to approach the sound effects and music in a particular fashion. This was an opportunity to tie in all the elements with a strong concept for I wanted the player to feel/hear. All in all an extremely rewarding project and learning experience.