1. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
Game Title
Red Dead Redemption
Provide detailed descriptions from chosen examples that establish…
Setting
Mood
Game genre
Clearly state what production technique(s) you think have
been used to create specific soundtrack elements
The setting in this scene is Black Water which is a town in early 1900s Texas, USA. A
boat arrives at the docks and the main protagonist leaves to meet people he knows.
After walking through the town, they get on a train which takes up most of the
scene. The music works really well here with the scene. At the start, the slow piano
indicates peaceful life in this town. Later though, we learn that the main protagonist
may have cause trouble in the past. The more intense music which kicks in when
John meets the policemen indicates something bad may have happened. A sort of
church bell is used in this scene which in a way indicates trouble or most likely
death, as a slow church bell is often used to represent grave yards. Once John is on
the train, the music becomes more military like and serious, with drums which show
that the setting he is travelling too may not be as peaceful as where he arrived.
The mood created as the boat enters the dock is peaceful. It also insinuates a new
start to life as John Marston leaves the dock and enters a place he must not have
been too for a while. John Marston committed crimes in the past but wanted to
repay his debts and become a better person so it is safe to assume this. When John
meets the policemen, the music changes and the scene becomes tense as it is clear
from the sounds and lack of dialogue that something bad has happened. Violins are
heard and drums when John is on the train and this could convey that John is about
to commit violence. These instruments are used well to create tension and could
mean he is secretly travelling here to shoot someone.
This game is an action adventure. The start music does well at portraying adventure
and the scene shows new land and introduces players to this great town. The slow
piano music states to the player that there is a lot John has missed in this land which
also states that there could be a lot to explore. Action is seen when John meets the
policemen as the sound changes to become more aggressive and violent from here
and to the end
I believe they have recorded these pieces in a
large recording studio. This is because they sound
like they have been in an enclosed area and the
piano at the start creates echoes which continues
after the keys have been pressed and held.
Slow music is used mainly in this cut-scene. This
works well with the mood as slow music
insinuates bad and sad times. This was John
Marston’s past which he is remembering in this
scene.
The use of slow music is a good technique to
insinuate adventure in Red Dead Redemption.
Due to the games story, it makes more sense and
works quite well when showing off areas like it did
with Black water in this scene.

2. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games
Narrative
John Marston has returned to his homeland after a long period of time. He used to
be a criminal, but understands that he has done wrong, so wants to become a better
man. The slow peaceful music at the start is great at conveying this change and new
life of John Marston’s. However, he must first visit his brother who betrayed him a
while back. His brother now owns a gang and this is why the music becomes more
tense and aggressive. This brothers actions will be unpredictable and could cost
John his life, so the scene and mood become serious.
I believe the creators thought really well about
the music in this cut scene as it really engenders a
lot of feeling about the story and game they are
about to play.