Dev Stream - AI commands and behaviour
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Thunder Tier One News
We're live!
Thunder Tier One - AI improvements
We will be live next Wednesday (16.06) at 8pm CEST talking about the ongoing AI command and behaviour improvements for Thunder Tier One. Mark the date and join us on stream!
We'll be streaming here and on our Twitch channel.
Development Status Update From Creative Director Pawel Smolewski
Our Creative Director Pawel Smolewski delivers a Thunder Tier One development status update.
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Creating Music for Thunder Tier One
[h2]Can you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from? How did you learn to compose? [/h2]
I’m a music composer from Italy. I live in a region called Marche, near the Adriatic Sea, and I started my musical journey studying harp at the Conservatory in Italy. I then studied composition at Marche Music College with Giovanni Bacalov – a well-known orchestrator. This encounter changed my life as I found my mentor who still to this day guides me in the field of music. Composition is not only technique, but also learning how to express your emotion and your story with music.
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[h2]Have you worked on games before? [/h2]
I composed the music for two games by Big Rock, including “Leafe” a PC VR Coop Game, and two additional games that are yet to be released to the public.
[h2]What was your reaction when you were asked to create music for Thunder Tier One?[/h2]
I was very excited! I thought that the unique style of the game would allow me to explore different approaches to the music. This was an incredible and challenging experience, and the team was supportive and amazingly professional.
[h2]And why did you say yes to the challenge?[/h2]
Firstly, I was honored to work with KRAFTON, Inc. of course.
Secondly, the setting and the type of game really intrigued me, I was keen to explore nineties synth style music which Thunder Tier One allows – I wanted to create a vintage style mixed with the contemporary soundtrack of shooter games.
For this game, it’s important that every stinger, every short loop, immediately reveals the mood, the setting and the type of mission. All of which has to be expressed with a few seconds of music.
[h2]What do you like most about the game?[/h2]
I’d never played a top-down shooter, so it was a new experience for me. The tactical aspect is what I liked the most, particularly in co-op mode, and that is what makes the game difficult. I definitely have some improving to do!
I also appreciate the vintage qualities as they remind me of the anticipation of going home and playing video games after school.
[h2]Where did you look for inspiration to create music for Thunder Tier One? [/h2]
I thoroughly researched the soundtracks to nineties movies. I watched many films, such as Navy Seals, Terminator and G.I. Jane. I don’t recommend doing the same, it’s a rabbit hole!
It was great to rediscover the music of those years, there are so many talented composers. I was also inspired by the beautiful music written for action shooter games. My goal was to understand the key aspects behind film and video game soundtracks, and combine them together.
[h2]And how did you mix those two styles?[/h2]
I started with synthesizers. I created sounds inspired by the Roland D-50, MKS-70,and Yamaha DX7. I didn’t want to go full vintage, but I wanted to create a recognizable sound that players can associate with the game.
Inspired by the modern soundtracks of shooter games, I also decided to use an orchestra. I opted for strings, a cello and of course brass because how can you avoid brass? The orchestra, and especially the cello, balanced the cold tone of the synthesizer. For the solo part I recorded a fantastic cellist. I always prefer to have a “human component” in my music, even if I have an electronic style.
[h2]What mood were you aiming for with the music you created for Thunder Tier One?[/h2]
The nineties war and action movies said two things: honor and sacrifice, so my music had to express those two sentiments. I noticed that this style of music also had a darker and more emotional component – becoming a hero comes at a cost. So I navigated between this heroic and dark sentiment through my pieces.
In the menu music these two parts are balanced and the piece has no real resolution. However, the music during the missions is slightly more heroic. It tells the player that it is time for action.
I also composed brief themes for different missions. It was challenging and exciting, within five seconds you have to find a way to tell the players if it is a stealth mode or if they have to prepare for a deathmatch and a lot of pain!
[h2]What music impacts you the most?[/h2]
Classical and film/game music. In my childhood I listened for hours and hours to this kind of music: it became a true companion. This genre influenced me a lot in my compositions, I think of music as a story to tell – and I can’t wait to help tell Thunder Tier One’s.
