The God of War: Ragnarok developer, Alex Previty, has shared the extraordinary origin of one of the game's most subtle yet impactful sound effects. The distinctive heartbeat heard during the Spark of the World section is not a digital creation but, in fact, the actual heartbeat of Previty's daughter from inside the womb.
Santa Monica Studio/Photo taken from PlayStation official website.
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Behind the Scenes: Crafting the Soundscape
Taking to Twitter (hereinafter X), Previty unveiled the meticulous process involved in creating this unique audio element. The sound of the heartbeat was captured using a Doppler, a device commonly used for monitoring fetal heartbeats during pregnancy. He shared, "The heartbeat sound is actually my daughter's heartbeat while she was still in the womb - I recorded it via the 3.5mm output of a baby Doppler."
Adding another layer to the auditory experience, Previty incorporated tonal elements from a children's choir warming up in a gymnasium. The combination of these organic, real-world sounds creates a surreal and emotionally charged soundscape.
This is one of my favorite sounds I made for the game! The heartbeat sound is actually my daughter's heartbeat while she was still in the womb - I recorded it via the 3.5mm output of a baby doppler. The longer tonal elements are from a children's choir warming up in a gymnasium! https://t.co/9PV8iPpzhP
— Alex Previty (@alexprevity) December 27, 2023
A Glimpse into the Game
The tweeted clip showcases Kratos, the iconic protagonist of God of War, navigating the environment amidst echoing sounds. Beneath the surface, the unmistakable heartbeat resonates, offering players a uniquely visceral experience. Without revealing story details, it's evident that this auditory choice aligns with the narrative significance of the Spark of the World section.
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