BoreAss Sound Effects

Sound effects for Boreass, a mutated fox with ice abilities in Fowl Play, were created using our own voice recordings with heavy processing. His movement sound effects are based on a recording of fingers tapping on a desk.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Software	Audacity, FL Studio 24
File Format	OGG Vorbis
Purpose	Telegraphing, immersion
Diegetic	Yes

The audio was cleaned up in Audacity, with noise reduction to remove background sounds. EQ, amplification, and compression were applied to enhance quality. FL Studio was used for additional effects such as reverb, pitch shifting, distortion, and autotune. Final sound effects are exported in OGG Vorbis format, suitable for the game engine.

Sound Design Principles

BoreAss is a mutated fox with ice abilities. His sounds are more wolf-like than fox-like, with heavy processing to make him sound menacing. This choice was due to time constraints and the lack of access to real fox recordings. We referenced fox clips online, but the results ended up closer to wolf sounds, which is acceptable due to the overlap between the two animals and the unrealistic nature of our game. Each sound should make it immediately clear which ability or action BoreAss will perform.

Created Sound Effects

Boreass’s sound effects fall into three main categories: idle sounds, telegraphing sounds and movement sounds.

Idle Sounds

These play when BoreAss is not performing actions, giving him a lifelike presence in the game world.

Idle Sound 1

Short sound of a woof.

Idle Sound 2

Short sound of a woof.

Idle Sound 3

Short, lower-pitched woof.

Idle Sound 4

Distorted, punchy woof.

Idle Sound 5

Same base as Idle Sound 4, but with another layer. More distorted and growly.

Idle Sound 6

Longer sound of heavy fox breathing.

Telegraphing Sounds

Before Dash Sound

Fox howling, used before BoreAss dashes. Heavily processed with autotune and pitch shifting for a menacing effect.

During Dash Sound

Fox growling followed by a distorted wind effect. Used while BoreAss dashes.

During Dash Sound - Continued

Wind effect loop for BoreAss's dash, so the sound doesn't cut off before the dash is finished.

Pounce Sound

Fox growling, used before BoreAss performs his ground pound at the end of his pounce.

Pounce Sound - Jump

Reversed version of the pounce sound, used before BoreAss jumps at the start of the pounce.

Movement Sounds

Walking Sound

Sound of fingers tapping on a desk, pitched down and with a delay effect. Based on the Elder Centipede walking sound, but faster and more distorted, since BoreAss moves faster. The rhythm is also more in line with how BoreAss moves in its running animation.