Unit Sounds: a feeling of déjà vu

[BHunterSEAL]

I've been playing Battle Academy on the iPad and I can honestly say that it is the best game on that platform. I spent $50 or so on it, which is probably about 1/4 of all the money I've spent on apps, ever--but it's so good that I didn't even think twice about buying the three DLC campaigns after playing the first few African missions.

I do have a question about where some of the unit sounds come from, though, especially considering how much this game cost. I've been a wargamer for a very long time, and have played probably most tactical command PC games. A few gameplay elements--specifically the scope of battles and forces under command in BA, along with some other mechanics--reminded me of Microsoft's Close Combat series from the mid-1990s.

But what really caused the feeling of déjà vu is unit sounds and reactions. Some of the feedback sounds incredibly similar, if not identical, to that in the Close Combat games. I played A Bridge Too Far most recently and I remember several sayings (on the British side, at least) that sound the same as what I've heard in Battle Academy... My PC is in the shop but I plan on playing the games side-by-side to compare later. Some of the weapon effects sound similar as well but those are generic enough that I wouldnt be able to tell, really. I think I also recognize other unit feedback from other games in the series but I haven't played those in years.

I'm sure I'm not the only crusty old wargamer out there that remembers the CC series. Has anyone else noticed the sound similarities? I paid $50 for an iPad app, which I'm sort of okay with, but definitely less so if some of the content was ripped from other games.

[pipfromslitherine]

You are correct - the sounds are from CC. We own the license and the sound effects, and they are spot on for most of the weapons etc. So we decided to go with them rather than try and reinvent the wheel. There are some new recordings (the Italian vfx for example) but by and large the CC sounds were a perfect match for what we needed.

So yes, they are the CC sounds, but they are being used legitimately .

It sounds (no pun intended) like you are enjoying the game, so glad to hear that. If you've not tried out the multiplayer yet then my only warning is that it seems to be pretty addictive .

Cheers

Pip

[BHunterSEAL]

Oh wow I had no idea Slitherine owned the CC license now. The sounds really do fit perfectly for a tactical TBS. I'm glad you didn't keep the M1 Garand effect from CC for American infantry, hearing that same three-shot sound clip nearly continuously for entire battles drove me crazy.

Anyway good work on BA, it's great to have such a deep game for iPad... Nothing really comes close at the tactical or strategic level. I'll have to check out the CC remakes you guys put out, definitely want to try the new Bridge Too Far grand campaign.

[Vonox]

In the cc-series there sometimes appeared a barking dog in urban areas, and also bird sounds in summer scenarios - if I do remember it right.
I really would love if this came back too, but I'm probably just too nostalgic

[ScottP]

I'd like to point out that hearing CC sounds makes me smile because of my affection for the series. That and they're truly really good to use.

[gortwillsaveus]

One of the sounds I'm most impressed with is the BAR and how the clip "bings" once it fires its last bullet in the clip.
The other one is when you kill an Italian solider and he yells "Nosferatu" (Vampire?? I think???,...but it sure sounds funny)
Oh,..and when the 25lb gun makes impact,..that's also pretty cool.

However,...the sound that disturbs me most are the French when they're getting creamed. I cringe when I hear them whine.
In fact, I don't even like playing any of the French scenarios, lest I hear the whining.