Exploring Storytelling Through Soundscapes in Monument Valley 3

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So there I was, knee-deep in this whole Monument Valley 3 project—our big mission at ustwo games was, well, kind of wild. We wanted the game sound to really crawl inside your head. Not just, you know, hang out in the background like elevator music. Nah, this was supposed to be part of your every move in the game. Like, as you’re playing, the music literally plays with you. We got nodded at by D.I.C.E. Awards or something for it. No biggie…!

Oh, and I’ve got to give a shoutout to Lucie Treacher, my co-composer. We were like mad scientists with this one, blending typical tunes with the game’s own sound effects. It’s best with headphones—I swear you catch stuff you’d totally miss otherwise.

### Doing Sound Our Way

Okay, so here’s the deal. The earlier games? Loved them. But this time, I decided not to peek back at what we did before. Fresh start—like a blank sketchbook. Each level in Monument Valley 3 was its own little world of sound. We kind of treated each chapter like a new song that needed its own vibe. It’s like every game level was jamming differently.

And the sound palette? Kind of all over the place. Imagine mixing a Bansuri’s breathy tunes, chiming Gamelan, and a Kora’s earthy twangs. These instruments weren’t just random picks—they added layers and a cultural vibe to Noor’s story, our game hero.

### A Sound You Can Play

Lucie and I? We wanted players to feel like they’re jamming along. The game’s big on transformation, so yeah, the sound had to morph as you played. I geeked out with granular synthesis tech to make it happen. It’s like the game architecture is playing along with you. Think shifting blocks or rotating towers as you move Noor, and boom—the music just vibes live with your actions.

Water’s huge in the game. It’s this push-and-pull of life and destruction. Recorded a ton of water sounds. Like, ever listen to a tap pour and thought it might have musical potential? Yeah, me neither. But here we are. Every drop and ripple’s got its place.

### Hands-On Sound and More

The game feels like playing music—it wasn’t just about sound effects; every move had to feel fluid and perfectly in tune with the overall vibe. There’s this level that’s all paper and origami-like. We went for that lo-fi vibe, crinkling paper, some vinyl scratch sounds. Basically, music you could touch.

Our sound turns Noor’s journey of loss and hope into something you feel. Sparse strings and whispery flutes for tears, while the intense puzzles have the tunes crashing and climbing with you—like a rollercoaster but for your ears.

Get deep into it with headphones, where you catch every sonic detail. We hope Xbox players soak it all in. And believe me, hearing this story unfold through music is something else.

Monument Valley 3 is stomping its way onto Xbox soon, totally ready for widescreen and top-notch audio. And, if vinyl’s your jam, grab the soundtrack from iam8bit. Just another chapter in our crazy game-making adventure.

Dive in and see what secrets await. Will you find the light that beckons? Can’t wait for you to experience it all.

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