Ilyon Dynamics is celebrating an important gaming milestone of reaching 100 million downloads for our growing portfolio.
“This milestone represents the incredible year we had, with major growth in the number of downloads and active users on a monthly basis,” said Yonatan Erez, CEO of Ilyon.
As in movies, music in mobile games has proved its importance in establishing the mood and tone and as a tool to convey a certain experience to the players. Much like video games, each mobile game has its own special vibe and story to tell, whether through the gameplay, the art or the music and sound effects. Undoubtedly, game developers aim to bring life to their games through original and amusing music and to offer users an entertaining gaming experience.
The right music has the power to take you to another place and get you completely absorbed in the fantasy world of the game. Music in gaming has to fulfill various functions as well as being fun to listen to. It has to evoke an emotional response and at the same time to communicate the simplest information to the player. For example, a special sound effect when winning a level or a prize.
Given the significant role music plays in shaping player’s gaming experience, I sat for a chat with Oded Kovach (Music Composer and Sound Designer at Ilyon) in his recording studio to get a glimpse into the creative process behind creating music for games.
What can you tell me about music in gaming?
A game’s soundtrack is an extremely important element because it gets you in a certain mood and it’s something that stays with you even for years. A melodic line characterizes the game and also draws the attention of players. The AngryBirds theme music is a great example of a modern catchy melody that has become easily associated with the game. People remember games and usually go back and play them again because they have in mind this unique melody which they hum for years after. Just think about it, who can’t recognize and hum the Super Mario Bros tune? This memorable and familiar sound to gamers has the ability to take you back in time straight to your childhood cheerful days. It’s one of the special functions of music, that it can trigger all kinds of memories related to a certain place or time.
What do you usually start with when composing?
I need to get some basic information about the game so I usually will play it myself, go through the game’s art and talk to the game designer to get more details. In case I haven’t decided on the musical style, then I generally play on the midi controller, checking different sounds and trying to pick one that sounds good. Sometimes I take a break and go for a walk and just hum to myself until I get inspiration. The idea is to find the basic melody which I will use to compose the entire track. Once I have the basic melody in mind, the rest just flows naturally. In a way, the music is like telling a story, it’s a form of expression which conveys experience and I have to find the proper “words” in order to create a certain reality for the players.
What is a typical workday like for you?
It varies, for me the whole experience is like a rollercoaster. Some days everything is working great and I feel on top of the world and on other days I may feel stuck. Being a musician, first of all, is getting the chance to do what I truly love and passionate about so inevitably my work involves emotion. If I am looking to affect other people’s emotion then I have to test it on myself first and see how a certain melody makes me feel.
Because the working process is very emotional, you need to know how to balance everything or else it can get pretty tiring and emotionally draining. I usually find the balance I need when I am working on the final mix for the game. Basically, this is the stage when I just put everything together – the drums, the guitars and the sound effects and check that all the musical elements sit well together. This process is often more relaxed and even quite meditative.
What is the effect music have on players?
The advantage of music over other forms of media is the fact that you can change people’s feelings. If a game has a calming and soothing melody, for example like “The Streets of Whiterun” tune from The Elder Scrolls V. Skyrim video game, it will be easier for the player to immerse himself into the game world and fully experience it. Music is a great tool which can create the atmosphere within the game, whether it’s dramatic, fun or simply be relaxing. As a music composer, I often think about the players, about their experience and how I can help to shape it. Most of the people won’t even notice just how much the music affects them, it usually stores in our subconscious.
Also, when writing music and sound effects for mobile games you need to make sure that you can come up with a melody which will not irritate the player but rather will encourage him/her to continue playing. The melody and the sound effects usually come together and work as one unit which contributes to the general gaming experience. The sound effects emphasize the action, what’s going on in the game. You all know that positive and “happy” sound you get when you complete a level or win some special item.
Music is a great way to interact with players, let them know that they are doing well or just give them reassurance and encouragement to continue playing, even when they have lost a level. In my view, music is what gets you into the world of the game and the sound effects make you feel yourself in the game. You play and realize that the game is responsive, each action you make has consequences and it makes the game feel more alive and real.
“With a little preparation and flexibility, developers can turn their games into major success stories”.
Make sure not to miss the essential tips for mobile game success from Ilyon’s CEO, Yonatan Erez.
“With games by far the most popular app category in different app stores, there have been countless ports of American-developed games that have languished in the other countries’ respective app stores. Each failure, of course, is unique – there’s a specific reason why a specific game failed to make it – but all those failures are consistent with a list of general tried and true principles. It’s not rocket science, though; there are specific reasons that games fail, and there are specific things – among them localizing the game, and properly monetizing it – that developers can do to ensure a greater chance of success when they try to enter new markets.”
Want to read more?
Check out the latest article by Ilyon‘s Head of Marketing, Adi Haddad, on important aspects of launching a mobile game in a new market.
So what it is that makes video games so great? One of the main reasons, according to my fellow team members, is the fact that a game successfully manages to create a world of its own. A world of fantasy completed with its own rules, history, and culture, which allows players to explore fun environments and to develop and practice meaningful skills.
The third and last part of our Video Games blog series presents the last two recommendations from the Ilyon team. Last but not least are Zina and Ben who told me about the unique gameplay that keeps them engaged with a game and stimulates planning and strategy skills.
Bastion is an action role-playing video game about a “Kid” who wakes up in a ruined world and throughout the game tries to find some answers and figure out his way.
Why Do You Like It?
I enjoy the flowing gameplay and the fact that I have to think and use my abilities to face challenges. The storyline is linear but well built, it’s nice that the game allows the player to pick his own challenges and to decide if his/her road is going to be easy or difficult. A particularly strong point in the game is the role of the narrator who relates what happens and everything that the kid does. And of course the beautifulartwork and the wonderful soundtrack which works perfectly with the voice of the narrator.
Heroes of Might and Magic is a turn-based strategy game (a game where players take turns when playing) in which you can choose your character-hero, build an army and attack other players. Each character is different and has its own skills, their own points of weakness and strength and it’s interesting to see how it affects the gameplay.
Why Do You Like It?
It’s a fun social game, you can play it for hours with your friends. You have to think and plan your strategy as each battle is like a game of chess, this way it allows the player to have the time to evaluate the gameplay and figure out how the game works. It’s also a matter of nostalgia for me as I have been playing this game since I was a kid.
As I look back at the fun journey I went through with Tamar, Erez, Alex, Zina, and Ben, it becomes clear to me that their stories have something essential in common. The likability of the games they have talked about lies in the fact that they have enabled players to practice some important life skills. From the realization that your character’s actions have consequences to his “game life”, dealing with frustrating situations and learning to collaborate with others. So maybe video games are not necessarily a shelter from reality but a tool that can help us in dealing with this reality?
Want to share your favorite game? I would be happy to hear about it!
If you liked Tamar’s recommendations of Video Games in our previous blog post, you’ll certainly be interested to read about the favorite games Erez and Alex enjoy and about the special features they like in these games. This second part of our Video Games series deals with the fun and social side of games which keeps players hooked for years without getting enough. Ready to find out what are the games that Alex and Erez particularly like? Let’s dig in.
Erez
Art Director
What Is Your Favorite Video Game?
My favorite game is Smite and I have been playing this game for years.
What Can You Tell Me About the Game?
Smite is a third-person multiplayer video game which allows players to choose a mythological God or a figure and take part in team-based combats. You play this game together with other players and you communicate via messaging, voice commands and even Skype.
Why Do You Like It?
First, the design of the characters is very good. Each one has its own special traits, an accent and a sense of humor so you actually feel attached to the character and begin to like him or her. Another thing that I like about the game is its social part. The social side of the game is expressed through the dynamics you form with your group – you can bring other players down or cheer them up with the right attitude, it’s very important as the game is based on cooperation.
Undoubtedly, the game is very challenging and it makes you think. It’s a competition so you have to use your mind, learn the game’s mechanic and think well about how you want to shape your character. In the personal aspect, I believe that the game teaches you a thing or two on how to deal with frustration and with situations that are out of your control.
HearthStone is a casual turn-based card game between two opponents. Each player controls a hero and the main goal is to kill the enemy’s hero in the card game, the first hero to die will lose the game. The game plays in turns, every player has to draw cards from a custom created deck, and has a move he can make with limited resources – like play 1 cheap card on the first turn, or play multiple cards later on when the game progresses.
Why Do You Like It?
I like it because it is a casual game that allows me to play as much or as little as I can, even with a busy life, and still remain good at it because the learning curve is fairly easy and the game does not require a time investment to enjoy or be good. The main feature that I like about the game is the speed of the match which takes 10 to 15 minutes tops, and also the strategy and thinking aspects of the game.
Stay put for the third and final part of our special Video Games series. You don’t want to miss what Zina and Ben had to share about their favorite games.
Be sure to share with us your favorite games of all time, I would certainly be interested to find out about that special game that has captivated you 🙂
More to follow…
Everyone enjoys retreats to other realities from time to time. Luckily, nowadays digital technology makes it easier to get access to all the different possibilities. To watch your favorite TV show or a movie whenever you want, to read a specific book you like or playing the game you always wanted to try. Many researchers and scholars around the world argue that much like reading books, playing video games perfectly targets our need to indulge in fantasy worlds and explore the boundaries of our imagination.
As an entertainment company that creates fun games, we are interested to make our users feel some of this magic. It’s simply natural that many of our employees are avid and experienced gamers, playing video games on their PC and Consoles for years. Therefore, we thought it would be interesting to have a series of blog posts in which different team members will discuss their favorite video games. As you will see, the difference between the people creates a varied and interesting game preference.
In this first part, you can read all about the video games that our talented artist, Tamar, likes to play. Whether you are a serious gamer or new to this world and want to try out a game, be sure not to miss the top recommendations from Ilyon team members!
Dragon Age is a role-playing video game (RPG) which takes place in a fantasy world and has a unique storyline, rules, and history. The idea is that you can make a character and shape it to your personal liking and as a result, the game world changes according to your character’s actions and choices, so you have to think and plan ahead your moves.
Why Do You Like It?
I like this game because it presents something new. You can feel the deep thought that was invested in this game and the amount of research that was conducted in order to create a rich fantasy world. Also, the design of the game is very intelligent and makes you feel like a tourist who is exploring a new world. Playing this game allows you to gain a glimpse into another world.
What Can You Tell Me About “Ori and the Blind Forest”?
This is a platform-adventure video game that has managed to captivate me even though I’m not a big fan of platform games, due to the beautiful artwork and the unique gameplay. Your character is going through a journey in order to bring back life to the forest. The game is connected to the natural world.
Why Do You Like It?
I liked this game because it involves deep and creative thinking. I like fantasy and to see something special that I don’t usually encounter and this game opened a door to a totally new world. It’s a story that makes you feel part of it (some players even talked in forums about how this game made them very emotional). Ultimately, what captures me is a combination of a good story, original gameplay and the art which reflects it.
Stay tuned for the second part of this series in which Erez, our Art Director, and Alex, our QA Manager, will discuss their favorite games.
Game Sauce interview with Ilya Molodetsky (COO) and Adi Haddad (Head of Marketing) on the company’s scaling growth and plans for the future.
In his latest article in VentureBeat, Yonatan Erez, Ilyon’s CEO, explains how building a core group of loyal followers, and nurturing your relationship with them, can set the foundation for success in the extremely competitive world of mobile gaming.
Following our Art Director’s, Erez Kramer, take on the place of art in mobile games, in this blog we continue to explore this theme and focus on the artistic process of creating a game. As Erez explains in his article, art in mobile games gradually gains its place among the canonized schools of art as observers begin to realize its importance as a medium to reach an audience and appeal to a larger taste.
Given the importance of art in gaming we have decided to have a chat with our talented artists, Nachshon Rubel and Gilad Schenker, and to discuss the significance of art in Bubble Shooter Games, a leading line of games in our company. We asked them to tell us more about the creative process in the making of our latest adventure themed bubble shooter games and the different challenges they had to face. Here’s what they had to share.
Every game has its own composition and ‘agenda’ and the art is a way to bring shape to it and to create a story, an experience for the players.
Game developers use art in order to create the aesthetic elements such as the texture, scenery, characters and generally to convey a certain feeling and experience through their games. Addressing the art in Bubble Shooter games there are various factors you have to take into consideration. Such as the background, characters, the UI and the standard gameplay of shooting bubbles at the top of the screen and clearing the board from the bubbles. In addition to the special boosters and of course the bubbles themselves.
The Inspiration Behind the Adventure
In the adventure-themed bubble shooter games, we wanted to bring to life the concept of taking a journey and discovering new places. The idea was to create new fun games which introduce special artworks, new sceneries, and the UI to match them, together with new boosts and levels.
Usually, the artist receives a description of a new game, sometimes a very specific one and at times the definition is vague, leaving more room for creativity. The first step in the working process is to gather references and to come up with different associations in order to get a general sense of style. Movies like IndianaJones, The Mummy, Tomb Raider, and famous landscapes and sites around the world (like the ancient Maya temples and
The Hawaiian Islands) were part of what inspired the creation of the style for these games. The most important thing is to have a point of connection to reality; something familiar that players can relate to – “You have to keep in mind the fact that we are trying to sell a story through our work“, Gilad explains.
Composition
Next, the artist has to decide what the artwork is going to include, which objects and how the composition is going to be like. In this stage, the artist pays less attention to details and is focused on the general overview. In a way, the artist performs as a director who stages the scene to his (or her) will but at the same time has to make sure that the art doesn’t interfere with the gameplay. As Nachshon points out – “You have to take into account the bubbles and the special elements that are part of the game and to check that they sit well together with the art”. The UI should also be in the context of the art and at the same time to remain distinct so that the player can easily identify and understand it.
From Sketches to Color
As the general picture begins to take shape, the next step is to put it on paper and examine the results in the good old-fashioned way – pencil sketches. The initial sketches are in black and white allowing the artist to play with the brightness and the shading. The artist usually prepares 4-7 sketches and then chooses the one (or a combination) that best conveys the idea behind the game.
An important phase in the artwork process is creating the color sketches due to the fact that colors determine what ambiance-mood the artist wants to create.
According to Gilad “colors are an important tool to convey emotions, we have to think about what we want the player to feel, and what is the effect we are looking to create, like dramatic feeling and also fun.” Music, for example, can create the same effect – the ultimate goal is to have the player to experience, to feel the special ambiance of the game. In addition, the choice of the colors also allows the artist to emphasize certain elements and to decide what is important and in which direction you want the player to go in his or her mind.
Challenges
“One of the biggest challenges we have to face is to understand what exactly are we expected to create, what the general vision is, and to be able to translate it into a work of art”, Gilad reveals.
Another challenge is the tight schedule which forces the artist to prioritize the different assignments and to be very clear in respect to his goals. The artist has to break down the process into simple achievable steps. This way, Nachshon explains, “the artist can predetermine what does he want to accomplish in every step and his work process remains organized”.
Ultimately, the main goal and challenge according to Gilad is to “give your skill” to the artwork at the given time frame and to be able to use the art as a vehicle to tell a story and communicate a certain emotion and a feeling.
