Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer Games

Game Title Mortal Kombat (9) - Ending

Provide detailed descriptions from chosen examples that establish… Clearly state what production technique(s) you think have been used to create specific soundtrack elements

Setting The Scene takes place after Raiden, the thunder god, finally defeats the evil Shao Kahn. Shao Kahn tries to attack Raiden again but Raiden uses a special power to finally defeat Shao Kahn once and for all. Afterwards Raiden’s Medaillion and the Earth returns back to normal after the events of the game. Raiden, along with Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade, realising the war between Earth and Outworld is over, look back at what the war has cost and who has died, whilst viewing the now dead Liu Kang. Raiden announces that they still have work to do and they must help in restoring the world, before they all teleport away. However after they teleport away it is revealed that one of the major antagonists Quan Chi is still alive and also reveals that he has been serving the evil Shinnok, who plans to take advantage of what the war has done to Earth and the Outworld and plans to otherthrow them both, laying the ground for a future game.

When the scene starts and Raiden has defeated Shao Kahn very dramatic music plays as Shao Kahn gets to his feet and Raiden’s special powers begin to stir, the music sounds like it was made from an orchestra which provides the dramatic scene for Shao Kahn’s final stand and the appearance of Raiden’s power. As Shao Kahn gets ready to fight the music stops but then picks back up as Raiden attacks Shao Kahn with his power and Kahn gets destroyed. The music that plays afterwards sounds very heavenly and light toned as the earth is brought back to normal, it is possible this music is made with a synthesizer but with added effects to it. Soon afterwards the music takes the same heavenly effect but adds some sadder tones as Raiden reflects on the losses have sustained because of the events of the game. The music then slowly gets louder and serious as Raiden mentions what they now have to do. After the group teleports away the music suddenly becomes sinister with some dark, low tones as Quan Chi and Shinnok are revealed, the music still giving the synthesiser sounds with effects. When Shinnok and Quan Chi are talking and Shinnok reveals the plan to overthrow Earth and the Overworld the music turns more louder and sinister until finally the screen goes black and

Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer Games

the music abruptly stops.Mood The mood is presented as very tense at the start of the scene when Shao Kahn

stands and Raiden defeats him with his powers. Afterwards when the music turns heavenly the music presents the feeling of accomplishment and that the war is finally over, but this does not last as they realise the casualties and decide what they must now do, which makes the mood turn very serious. After they leave the music suddenly turns threatening when Quan Chi and Shinnok appear, and when Shinnok announces his plans to overthrow both Earth and the Outworld, the mood is very dark and serious to show that a bigger threat is to come.

The music is very dramatic when Shao Kahn is defeated to show that these are the final scenes of the war that has been going on since the start of the game. When Shao Kahn is defeated and the Earth is restored back to normal it gives heavenly music to give the player that sense of accomplishment and that all their work played off, afterwards when Raiden talks about the casualties and what is now needed to be done the music keeps the heavenly music but a bit deeper to show the importance of this. Finally when Shinnok and Quan Chi appear and talk about their plans the music is very intimidating and even a bit scary to show this.

Game genre Mortal Kombat is an action fighting game that was based off of Chinese mythology and the myths of shaolin monks who used to compete in special events.

The games music does good to reflect this as much of the music presented has a dramatic feel to it but has music one would associate with the inspirations behind it.

Narrative Most of the narrative is presented by Raiden until the end when Quan Chi and Shinnok plot on their plans for the future.

As Raiden is a thunder god he has a deep powerful voice to associate with this. Quan Chi and Shinnok are embodiments of evil and as such possess the same powerful voice Raiden has but is also presented in a darker tone which in turn makes them very intimidating.