News

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Unleashes Sound and Fury

Multi-platform Game Features Top-notch Audio Effects and Original Music

With Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal, no detail has been left to chance, from the sophisticated game design, gorgeous graphics, and ability to manipulate time to the incredibly lifelike animations, the groundbreaking fight system, and the compelling storyline. Everything works in concert to create an immersive, thrilling gaming experience. This depth and harmony is also evident in the audio elements of the game. Whether creating a mood, delivering cues and hints to players, maintaining momentum or accentuating the other elements of the universe, the sounds and music that accompany the Prince in his race against time help make Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time the game to beat in 2003.

In-game Music

To provide a soundtrack that would complement the gameplay and add to the dramatic tension within the game, Ubi Soft turned to accomplished musician Stuart Chatwood, a member of the mega-selling rock band Tea Party. Stuart brought his versatility, interest in Indian and Arab music (as well as rock) and his love of gaming to the project, and composed a rich, dark score that combines grinding rock beats with middle-eastern melodies and instrumentation. Chatwood captures both the complexity and beauty of middle-eastern music and the driving intensity of contemporary rock. Used in cinematics and fighting sequences, as well as for background music and to provide sound cues to the player, Chatwood's music is fluid, versatile and accomplished - just like the Prince himself.

In-game Sound Effects

Created in-house and in collaboration with Danetracks, an L.A.-based sound design, editorial and mixing company (founder Dane Davis won an Oscar for his unprecedented effects work in The Matrix), the sound effects and musical cues contribute greatly to the complete immersion players will experience as they navigate the treacherous palace in a struggle to recapture the Sands of Time and restore peace to the kingdom.

Danetracks developed the sounds made by the enemies, as well as the effects for the magical and transformative powers of the Sands of Time. The rest of the sound effects - literally hundreds - were recorded in-house using traditional Foley recording and SFX editing. For mixing, the sound designers used Pro-Tools, Sound Forge and Cool Edit Pro. A real sword and machete were used to capture the sound of the Prince's sword impacting different objects, while a wide variety of source materials, from large rocks to small metallic items (such as doorknobs), were used to complete the complex aural landscape.

Commercial and Trailer Music

To extend and enhance the immersive, atmospheric experience of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Ubi Soft has teamed with legendary musicians Jason Bentley and DJ Melo-D, who are creating an original song - inspired by the universe and gameplay - that will be used in commercials and trailers for the game.

Turntablist extraordinaire Melo-D was an original member of the seminal L.A.-based DJ crew the Beat Junkies that revived the art of using turntables as musical instruments during the '90s. Incorporating a wide variety of influences, from dub and funk to jazz, soul and world music, Melo-D invents original compositions that showcase his rhythmical creativity and striking imagination.

Bentley, who will be producing the track, has DJ'd with artists including David Bowie, Rage Against the Machine, and Underworld, and remixed artists such as Paul Oakenfold, Fischerspooner, and Gus Gus. He supervised the music and produced the multi-platinum soundtrack for The Matrix (he received a GRAMMY nomination for his work, and is on board for all three films). For ten years, he has hosted the groundbreaking Metropolis show on KCRW, and he DJ's regularly at L.A. hotspots including Ivar.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is scheduled to ship for PS2, Xbox, GameCube, PC and GameBoy Advance in time for the Holidays 2003.