Looping percussion riff is giving me headaches/migraines

[martok]

(I realize this is probably an unusual complaint...)


So I've noticed that when I'm zoomed in on a planet or star system, there's often this...percussion riff that repeats itself for 20-30 seconds, stops for a bit, and then loops back and begins playing again. (I have a hunch the riff is supposed to convey/elicit the sound/sense of "industry"? I'm just guessing, though.) The riff stops playing whenever I zoom out to a more galactic-level view, but it returns when I zoom back in.

My problem is that, for whatever reason(s), this looping percussion riff is inducing headaches and migraines. It's gotten to the point that I can't really play the game anymore -- which sucks, as I'm enjoying DW2, even with the typical "new release" issues.

Sure, I could get rid of the percussion riff by turning off the music. However, that's no fun, nor is it a real solution. I don't enjoy playing games in silence; moreover, I actually like DW2's soundtrack overall.


I guess what I'm wondering is whether an option could be added to specifically disable the looping tracks that play when zoomed in on planets & star systems, and just have the normal soundtrack play instead? That, or add in a soundtrack player (like in Paradox games) where you can skip around to the pieces you want to listen to, and even disable the ones you don't like?

I realize what I'm asking for is probably ridiculous (especially the soundtrack player idea), but I'm kind of at my wit's end here. I just want to play & enjoy the game -- including the nice "spacey" soundtrack -- without suffering headaches from that dang percussion riff, is all.

[Tanaka]

(I realize this is probably an unusual complaint...)


So I've noticed that when I'm zoomed in on a planet or star system, there's often this...percussion riff that repeats itself for 20-30 seconds, stops for a bit, and then loops back and begins playing again. (I have a hunch the riff is supposed to convey/elicit the sound/sense of "industry"? I'm just guessing, though.) The riff stops playing whenever I zoom out to a more galactic-level view, but it returns when I zoom back in.

My problem is that, for whatever reason(s), this looping percussion riff is inducing headaches and migraines. It's gotten to the point that I can't really play the game anymore -- which sucks, as I'm enjoying DW2, even with the typical "new release" issues.

Sure, I could get rid of the percussion riff by turning off the music. However, that's no fun, nor is it a real solution. I don't enjoy playing games in silence; moreover, I actually like DW2's soundtrack overall.


I guess what I'm wondering is whether an option could be added to specifically disable the looping tracks that play when zoomed in on planets & star systems, and just have the normal soundtrack play instead? That, or add in a soundtrack player (like in Paradox games) where you can skip around to the pieces you want to listen to, and even disable the ones you don't like?

I realize what I'm asking for is probably ridiculous (especially the soundtrack player idea), but I'm kind of at my wit's end here. I just want to play & enjoy the game -- including the nice "spacey" soundtrack -- without suffering headaches from that dang percussion riff, is all.

You can mod the music. Go into the music folders and remove or add what you like. Or use one of several music mods out there. Check out the mods thread.

[Miletkir]

I started doing rework of some DW2 tracks: you can check it out. Those and others will be released with the first iteration of my mod.

[OrnluWolfjarl]

After the first day I just muted the music and listen to other things. X4 and Surviving Mars soundtracks seem to work quite well with the game's atmosphere. But yes, the game's music is... not great at all.

[SirHoraceHarkness]

Music is one of the first things I turn off in any game unless its part of the game itself like a horror game or some such. For games like this I either play my own music or a podcast. But I'm not sure if music is what is bothering the op. The sound he is talking about are most likely the 'industrial' sounds you hear when you zoom in to a planet or mine etc. It can be annoying at times.

[StormingKiwi]

It's not necessarily that the music isn't great.

For me, it's that there are too many transitions between tracks... it's an adventure game sound design in a strategy game. Doesn't really work that well.

[martok]

My sincere appreciation to everyone for the responses & advice!


Following Tanaka's suggestion, I dug around the game files a bit -- which is admittedly a stressful endeavor for a technological troglodyte like myself -- and was eventually able to locate & remove the offending mp3 file. I'm relieved to say I can now play DW2 headache-free. Thank you, all!

But I'm not sure if music is what is bothering the op. The sound he is talking about are most likely the 'industrial' sounds you hear when you zoom in to a planet or mine etc. It can be annoying at times.

Yeah, it turned out the mp3 file in question was indeed under the "Industry" tracks in the music files. While it's similar to a couple other Industry tracks that are in the game, the one I removed is somehow the only that was really causing a problem for me. Strange.