It isn't unusual for developers to offer fans the chance to be featured in a game, but few do so in a way as unique as Hell Let Loose, one of the surprise hits of 2020. The game, set during World War 2, is looking to add a little bit of ambiance to the battlefield in the form of background sound effects, and it's giving players the chance to contribute.
The Hell Let Loose Twitter account sent out a rallying cry to its fans, asking them to submit their best version, or versions, of the Wilhelm scream to be added to the game. The Wilhelm scream is an iconic soundbite, having been used in hundreds of different movies and TV shows for decades, typically playing as someone suddenly dies, which is likely how it will be used in Hell Let Loose's chaotic environments.
The developer encouraged players to be "creative" with their screams, as well as any other "war cries" and "moments of anguish" players may be able to conjure up. Not only will the best performers be added to the game, but they'll be credited too, so players will always be recognized for their efforts of realistically replicating pain.
Those interested in the competition have until September 2 to make a submission, which leaves them with just under two weeks to get it right. The work doesn't necessarily need to be professional, but the studio is looking for good audio quality, so anyone submitting will want to make sure that their clip is clean. Additionally, there can't be any other added effects, like reverb or anything along those lines.
This is a surprisingly cool way to get the community involved in the early access game while addressing one of its prominent criticisms. Hearing oneself repeatedly die on the battlefield might get a little old for those that do win, but there's bound to be some semblance of bragging rights for players that make it into the game.
Hell Let Loose found popularity with streamers and YouTubers early on, which has helped it gain a foothold in online communities. While its popularity online seems to have waned a bit due to some of the other major FPS game announcements, running a competition like this is a good way to pull in lapsed and new players. At the very least, the community is able to prove just how much it's helped shape the game with this contest.
Hell Let Loose is available now on PC in early access.
Source: Steam