| | Atlas Plug Brings the Beat
There are so many ways that a game can go wrong. The graphics have to look just right, the physics engine should be realistic enough for the gameplay to feel right (but not so realistic that it’s not fun to play), and the single- and multiplayer modes must be carefully balanced, so that fans of each come away happy. With so many difficult technical challenges, it’s not surprising that game soundtracks often don’t get the attention they deserve. In the end, we’re left with a shelf full of games that look great … but sound not so great. However, I have good news: RalliSport Challenge 2 is the exception to the rule, thanks to a first-rate audio team and an artist by the name of Atlas Plug.
Atlas Plug sets the stage for rally action.
Atlas Plug is not a band, but a man named Tom Salta, and chances are, you’ve heard his music before. Aside from providing the title track to RalliSport Challenge 2 and the recent Volvo S40 commercial (featuring RalliSport), he’s made his mark in the music world doing remixes for the likes of Mary J. Blige, Peter Gabriel, and host of other prominent artists.
The title track of Atlas Plug’s 2004 release “2 Days or Die” (Persist Records) is a prime example of music licensing done right. The licensing team could have taken the easy way out, tossing tired radio fare into the soundtrack on the assumption that we’d all be ripping custom soundtracks anyway, but instead, they took the high road. They looked for music that would really convey the excitement of RalliSport and went looking for tracks that are gritty and fast, to immediately stir up the adrenaline that you’ll feel when playing the game.
That’s where Atlas Plug comes in. Salta’s ability to craft soundscapes with electronica, rock, and techno fit perfectly with the high-octane pace of rally racing, seamlessly blending the music with the down and dirty visuals of RalliSport Challenge 2. Pop the game disc into your Xbox, and you’re treated to an opening cinematic that perfectly sets the scene. The dark snowy bends of an obscure country road are sliced by beams from an unmarked car. We hear, “Prepare for the ride of your life,” as night suddenly turns to day. On cue, a gritty bass riff kicks in to shatter the somber mood. Dust, dirt and snow kick high into the air, as a montage of rally cars rip past the screen, all timed to the frenetic beat of electronic drums. Glimpses of muddy roads, icy tracks, and dusty trails flicker by during an aural assault of shredding guitars. The scenery threatens to blow our minds, but not before kicking the pace into overdrive for a whirlwind finale of sight and sound. This is the essence of rally racing, courtesy of developer Digital Illusions CE and Atlas Plug.
That’s just a taste, however. For more from Atlas Plug, head over to his Web site and crank up your speakers. You’ll be able to sample “2 Days or Die,” along with the other tracks from his debut album. And, pretty soon, you’ll be racing over the tracks ofRalliSport Challenge 2, with Atlas Plug as your personal soundtrack! It’s a combination that sounds pretty sweet … By Jim W. Gettys |
