The approach to music in Radio Flare REDUX is significantly different to the one we took with the original Radio Flare. In our first game we had the music cut up into many different layers and loops which were dynamically rearranged as players advanced through a level. For REDUX we are doing it the other way round. Each song is the basis for a level. We listen to a song very closely and then the visuals and the enemies are mapped with respect to the musical structure of that track. Everything is tightly matched to the music. Enemies move and shoot to the beat and the backgrounds are animated to the rhythm of the song. Players can play the full songs, but there will also be shorter excerpts of each track for quick playing sessions.

Sound FX take a backseat to the music. We only use short samples that act as elements of the track’s rhythm. All sound effects are quantized to the beat of the music. Players also can occasionally influence the music. For example, when pick-ups (e.g. a smart bomb or a shield) are activated the music is changed by a DSP effect for a short time. The sound design for the game was once again done with Firelight Technologies’ FMODex sound engine.

The soundtrack for REDUX will feature 12 different tracks. Most of them are licensed from the renown German dance music label International Deejay Gigolo Records. While REDUX is all about pumping beats the game will also feature interesting crossovers with guitar music, dub and even one rap star. Further, I’m happy to tell you that there will be a comeback of ‘Libration Point’, Radio Flare’s original music track by DJ Glow, as an unlockable bonus level. Stay tuned – the full soundtrack will be announced very soon!