Using Good Sound Design To Tell A Story

What do a touching story about a bird and the writing in South Park have in common?
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Credits:
Fallout 4 Institute Footage • Fallout 4 | Full Gamep...
Far Cry Footage • FAR CRY 5 All Cutscene...
Trey Parker and Matt Stone Lesson • Writing Advice from Ma...
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Gameplay Footage from:
A Short Hike
Fallout 4
Far Cry
New World
Watchdogs
Dredge

[@MarshallMcGee]

Feeling very lucky to have some people who will still come out to watch a new video after 2 years of no posts :)

[@candybird]

With quality content like this I would wait 10 years

[@Roxfox]

That's exactly what the subscribe button is for! Why do I need to be reminded that somebody's uploading every day, when I know that they upload every day? Screw the algorithm, subscribe to people who upload once a year so you don't miss it when they do!

[@romanpollmeier2711]

Quality takes time. I rather have a content drought from time to time rather than a lot of superficial non thought provoking videos 🙂

[@ChristianFernandoPerucchi]

Glad you are back!

[@Decia99]

SO EXCITED.

[@BlueMonkey]

The legend returns, great job! I'd absolutely love more content like this. Like how you referenced the "But and Therefore" clip as a wealth of knowledge, I feel that for your videos.

[@wknd02]

Sadly my nation is going through a massive layoffs(wont stop), I changed my job from game audio to pizza delivery guy. But I still love this film series

[@thespeedyyoshi]

Oh my god…that is genius. That “and then” vs “therefore and but” is a complete game changer. Wow. My mind was blown when you broke down the story of a short hike. It’s so connected and real ^^

[@itsstarclad]

I've literally been rewatching your videos while I've been working on a sound design project the last two months. I haven't actually watched the video yet, but like all your content I'm sure I'm going to love it and learn something. Hope to see more videos again!

[@RagsToRichesFilms]

Your videos helped me land my gig in the games industry. So happy to see you back. Amazing video!

[@BillieJeanIs]

This is such a great insight. Once you reach a level of technical literacy in sound design, music or whatever you may be doing that allows you to execute your ideas well enough, the work actually gets harder in many ways. Adopting a methodology like this one is how you bring your output to the next level and allow it to grow beyond strictly functional terms of "this area needs an ambience" or "this menu needs a transition". Basically, it becomes art. :) Thanks for the video.

[@wiktornogalski966]

holy hell that's so great that you are back, back in my academic years I watched your tutorials while sound designing animations for my exams and those helped me a lot. glad you're back

[@DeviousShadows]

When the world needed him the most, he returned

[@The_Undertow]

And when the world needed him most, he returned!

[@iasyama1999]

no way, I just got into looking at your channel and saw that you no longer uploaded, what a time for you to comeback

[@ajmachajewski]

What an interesting way to approach sound design. I bet this mentality would apply well to music scoring, as well. I'll have to give a try! (Good to see you back on YT, btw.)

[@Geist3002]

I literally recommended your videos to a friend yesterday and now there is a new upload, nice!

[@crimsonhawk52]

a short hike is incredible (and I'm judging you slightly for not playing with crunchy graphics). First time seeing a video of yours, really liked it, I'm gonna dig in to the rest

[@noomynarpa]

a short hike is so underrated i hope more people find out about it

[@VoonNBuddies]

Wow this was worth the wait! A great story telling lesson and a good reminder that every element of a game can be used to help tell a compelling story. Welcome back!

[@Ah_Lecks]

So glad he's back 🥲

[@Bassermand]

Lovely to have you back Marshall! We´ve all missed you!

[@ZachHeyde]

Duuuude!! Welcome back 😁🙌 Also that Matt & Trey clip completely blew my mind. 🤯

[@Katherine_Tea]

i stumbled across your videos just the other day, binged them all, and said to myself, "what a shame that it's a forgotten channel, but ah well i'll sub anyways". imagine my surprise seeing this, especially with such a phenomenal indie game too. great stuff

[@stephencshapiro]

Welcome back. Great video and thanks for the rec!

[@peters1389]

Very delighted to see you are back!

[@Dantti]

Just last week I was thinking about this channel :D Good timing man!

[@candygonemad]

Its funny, I watched this video when it came out not thinking anything of it. Then today I watched through some of your older waveform videos then checked your channel, saw this video and realized that you uploaded for the first time in 2 years. Welcome back :)

[@Mayd_sounds]

Marshall McGee is back. Please never leave again man.

[@KrotosAudio]

Glad you are back Marshall!

[@JazzInATinCan]

I am so grateful you make som videos again. Favorite youtuber right there.

[@spiceraudio]

"Please don't make me crop this" lololol Love your videos!

[@MagusSerling]

Something I always tell people when they ask about my sound design is why I use so many off kilter sounds for my ideas and you underlined that spectacularly: It's not about what is realistic, but a blend of what you EXPECT, and what you resonate with emotionally for the scene. fantastic video as always, man.

[@ExplicableCashew]

You and engineerguy coming back to KZbin at the same time feels like a double Christmas

[@timo.weaver]

Good to have you back. Really enjoyed the video! :)

[@josepapiii]

Casually remembered your channel cause I was thinking od DBZ sounds and was sad you didn't upload anymore. Then I find THIS!?

[@ericlarsen2293]

My interpretation of the Watch Dogs example would be to have evil ceo's servers sound evil and mechanical and after the hacking/destroying switch to the angelic sound. It would attribute meaning to the player action and reinforce the idea that it was the right thing to do. Also welcome back! :)

[@winkil1]

I've been always facinated and motivated to try out what you always do in these videos, where you take a bit from a big title or a game, then you try to make it as if YOU were the one commissioned to do the work. I try it out with concept art in the future, thanks for the fun and inspiring videos

[@Hypno_BPM]

“Hey Trey , the whiteboard is over there !”

[@AlbertBalbastreMorte]

I am completely missing the link between the way of writing a story and sound design, but I'm multitasking so maybe I'm being thick. Other than that, great video. I'm in the middle of Beef and was thinking about how well the script flows, and it's because indeed one beat causes the next.

[@CitrusArchitect]

A Short Hike is my favorite game - EVER. And I loved Dredge as well :)

[@aleksandrbushlanov9439]

Glad to see you here again!

[@MrVIVESOAD]

I don't even remember subscribing to your channel but I'm glad I did, especially since you made a video about A short hike, I fell in love with this game and I'm trying my best to introduce it to as much people as I can.

[@nartkelmendi6675]

The man. The myth. The legend. Is back.

[@gabrielgrandavs]

Maaan! what a surprise! So so glad you came back from long rest. You are such an inspiration and watch & ear your videos cheer me up sooo much! Thanks mate! Cheers from a spanish soundie pal!

[@cborch555]

Aww hell yeah, it is a good day! Welcome back Marshall!

[@guitarkidsbc]

Great to see you back. Love the work

[@Jokrono]

So good to see you active again Marshall. I've recommended your work to a lot of students since you last posted, so it'll be exciting to share this with them too!

[@pipposound]

YES I definitely cried at the end of A Short Hike, nothing to be ashamed of! :D

[@AmbientMelancholyGames]

Incredible useful informations! I never cared a lot about stories in video games. I was always a gameplay purist so as I was making games I ignored story and sound design the most.. But your way of putting it out makes me appreciate and understand those art forms more. I will never be great at them, my focus of expertise is elsewhere, but I will try to learn as much as possible on those areas. It's incredible that the more you learn about stuff, the more you understand that you know nothing. Maybe it was already building inside me for sometime now that I needed to expand my horizons, but your videos really hit the nail in the coffin. Thank you for real, this helps me immensely. Take care!

[@anselmor5043]

Hell yea, new video from señor McGee!

[@Dwuudz]

Glad you are back

[@eph_kni]

Marshall! This was an awesome video! Not only did you plug plugins that you enjoy, or teach us about basic story telling, or let us in on how you would approach tension, but you also introduced us to a game I've never heard of, but would absolutely love to play. I'm looking forward to more of these!

[@icecatti]

This is great man, it’s cool that you made time for another video. It reminds me that designers in any field should be seeking inspiration from all things and all industries that inform their designs - not just within their own skill set. And I will always simp for creators that advocate for coherent thoughtful writing in the things they make.

[@ReeseWitherknife]

Just found your channel. These videos are wonderful. Thank you for your work.

[@berkclown]

Love the video and the points you made on the story's continuity and engagement and how that is applicable to sound design. Breaking the sameness of sound by diverting the players expectations is key in retaining attention and making an experience that much more memorable. I might have, however, missed the point about how the “therefore/but” technique transfers as a whole to sound design. Full examples of “therefore”, “but”, and “and-then” clips would have driven the point more clearly. All in all, this is a spectacular return! You proved you can do whatever and the video would still be entertaining and insightful, be it about sound design or game design in general. Honestly, looking forward for more!

[@peakrays]

Lets gooooo, I thought this day would not come but I'm glad it did, so happy to see you posting content Marshall :)

[@romanperryaudio]

HOLY SHIT HE'S BACK

[@paintballing489]

Very happy to sit down and chill with one of your videos again 😊

[@doob.]

I’m grateful that i’m still subscribed to this guy.

[@Arishava]

oh boy i absolutely loved your videos. so glad you're back!

[@can_sarac]

hes back and he feels great

[@vellocet_audio]

Thank you for this inspirational video!

[@OfficialScottR]

Funnily enough, id just seen that matt and trey clip for the first time a couple of days ago. Really enjoyed your video!

[@ottergauze]

A two year wait, and it was absolutely worth it.

[@kieran3628]

Woah, marshal mcgee returns!

[@kironikolov6668]

welcome back!

[@prodbyprodby1633]

Yeeeessss! Welcome back, Marshall!! Hope you've got some new stories for us! Or not, that's cool too (:

[@geri4367]

That south park clip is gold! Fantastic video too! Welcome back :)

[@joakimkarlberg9289]

Glad you're back, Marshall! Keep it coming :)

[@storkystork7262]

Loved the video, always enjoyable from you

[@crancpiti]

You made me relive my experience with a short hike and now I feel happy and content again. Thank you for this video and this great lesson! I knew of the "But" rule from tabletop rpgs but not about therefore and that "and then" feels bad and should be avoided. Maybe this will make me a better GM for my players 😊

[@Vesohag]

Really good video, McGee!! Have you ever tried Dreams for the PS4/PS5? You can do a bit of sound design in there. Could be interesting to see what you can do in there!

[@cineblazer]

Lord of the Sounds: The Return Of The King

[@LetsLiveOurLives]

HE'S BACK BABYYYYY

[@jhhu1701]

OHHHHH! You're back!

[@adamw3d]

Marshall this is great!

[@MisterKidX]

1: MarshallMcGee is back 😄 2: he creates a youtube video relating to southpark😁 3: Marshall McGee is back 😻

[@haxtrad]

GUYS WE'RE SO BACK

[@unisonproto]

He's back!

[@normal-mantis]

you're back!!

[@AustinWigley]

Two long years...

[@blunderfx]

The man, the myth, the legend..Hey Marshall! 👋🏻

[@NotATaxiDriver]

Let's Goooo!! "(not) Waveform" is back!

[@KyleBaran90]

I mean, it still feels subjective since you can reword it and still use the correct beats: The farmer needs to harvest his crops BUT he can't do it because of goblins or wolves, THEREFORE he hires the player do it for him (BUT the goblins and wolves are displaced because of something else!) Although this is only a chain of 2-3 events and doesn't have as much causality

[@shiouhsu4869]

he's back!!

[@7vn]

worth the wait

[@petersonnormil6799]

oh nice, hopefully we'll be seeing more videos in the future?

[@GameAudioAnalysis]

He is back! 🥳

[@omeyegod]

Yo marshall! You make really great videos.

[@pindab0ter]

Welcome back!

[@Patrik97BEAST]

Welcome back!

[@SonOfDaw95]

Please tell me your back! Your videos are the main reason I'm heading into sound design, and I've learned so much from them! Edit: this was also a great vid ❤

[@spceboi]

this is amazing

[@yoshimajestic1666]

Loved this video. Please more

[@tlestfsfx]

legendary video!

[@jaimebibiano3095]

HE’S BAAAAAACKKK

[@csoma_rolee]

Ohhhhhh yes , here we go!!

[@WangleLine]

Welcome back :D

[@oscarbala4383]

Sure, I agree with everything you've said in the video - but sometimes we have to remember the "standards" that are present in the industry. Cause when you break out from this standards, you also have to convince other members of the team about your approach. How do you do that? Overall i feel like that's whole another topic and is very broad, would love to see a video about that from you :) Also, great to have you back, your videos helped me a lot couple years ago when I was starting in the industry :)

[@Lexi-M]

I’m playing tears of the kingdom right now. I’ll set out on a quest towards the main story objective..BUT… I run into someone along the way who tells me there’s someone at a nearby stable who needs help.. THEREFORE I change my plans & head to the stable. BUT when I get there I find a shrine that I can activate to unlock a fast travel point. THEREFORE I do the shrine instead of helping the person at the stable. BUT when I finish the shrine I realize I can finally level up my character and I need to fast travel across the map to a Goddess Statue (upgrade spot) ….THEREFORE i leave the place I was headed to go do that. BUT after I upgrade my health I see a glowing bunny in the distance that is running towards a cave .. THEREFORE I follow it into the cave to explore.

[@cassidyrobideaux1309]

Great video

[@KnightsArcade]

I work as a Voiceover Artist, but I'm a lifelong writer/storyteller, who now has a channel where (among other things) I review games. With your background and experience, I'd be fascinated to hear your thoughts on "Outer Wilds". It deals with storytelling in a way no other game I've played does, and SOOO much of it is done through the use of sound. I made a review of it a few years ago, and I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[@MarshallMcGee]

I tried beating it without knowing anything about it a few months ago. Holy moly what a game. Almost too big for a video. I didn't end up being able to figure it out on my own, and after about 20 hours I looked up the stuff I was missing, but it was such a joy. Love the exploration and how wild and unique all the environments and interactable were. Would be a dream project of mine to audio-direct an indie title with that level of polish and vision. Love it!

[@KnightsArcade]

@@MarshallMcGee I found it an almost indescribable experience. I mean... I can describe it but, since every single moment of that game is a potential spoiler, it's hard to talk about it without ruining it for others, and in any case... it really has to be described as a whole... but I LOVE to talk about the experience. Pretty close to the perfect video-game, in my opinion. I hope you get the chance to do something like that some day. If you ever get the opportunity, and you need a V/O... look me up.

[@KoreanWizard]

Bet this video would net 5x as many views if the title was changed to a negative, and the screenshot was of Fallout. “How bad sound design can ruin a story” or something to that affect.

[@hoppinggnomethe4154]

This is why I really never bother playing any modern so-called "Triple-A" game.