Dolby Labs Exec Ashim Mathur and Origami Gaming Founder Rahul Gidwani Talk About Atmos, Floors of Fear Collaboration, More

Editor’s Note: Dolby India gave IGN India the access to Ashim Mathur and Rahul Gidwani for this interview.

Dolby, the United States-based global giant that focuses on audio and HDR imaging technology teamed up with Origami Games to launch a new smartphone game called Floors of Fear. While this partnership is far from the first that Dolby has been part of in the gaming space in last 2 decades. It has been one of the few ones on the software side focusing on a specific game instead of broad game development tools. Some of the previous partnerships focused on games include Epic Cricket by Moong Labs in 2022 and PUBG Mobile earlier this year.

Other notable collaborations include the one with Activision for 5.1 surround sound support back in 2007. Dolby also tried its hand in creating SurCode game development encoder plug-in for Dolby Pro Logic II program back in 2003. The company has tried to re-focus on the game development side with partnerships with Audiokinetic for integration in Wwise pipeline along with Dolby Vision and Atmos plug-ins for Unreal Engine in 2023.

Rest of the efforts have been focused on the hardware side or development pipeline. The list of hardware products includes the current gen Microsoft and Sony gaming consoles, TVs, monitors, laptops, headphones, soundbars and home theatre solutions. Since then, it has inked partnerships with names like Qualcomm (2014), Somatone Interactive (2015), Oppo (2018), and more.

After Epic Cricket in 2022, the recently released Floors of Fear gave is a better chance to understand how Dolby works to support smaller independent game development studios across India. Weeks after the launch of the game on Android, we got a chance to chat with Vice President of Marketing in the Asia Pacific region for Dolby Labs, Ashim Mathur. In addition, we also conversed with Rahul Gidwani, the founder and CEO of Origami Gaming, the game development studio behind Floors of Fear game.

As part of the conversation, we spoke about a range of topics with Ashim including the work done as part of the collaboration to create Floors of Fear. We also quizzed him about the customer feedback, demands, change in trends and behaviour of gamers and content consumers, and more. The conversation concluded after we spoke a bit work with smartphone makers, the future, and favourite Dolby Atmos experiences from 2022. Check out our complete conversation with Ashim below:

Rehan Hooda: Can Dolby highlight the process it goes through as part of a collaboration like the one for Floors of Fear? What does it entail?

Ashim Mathur: To be able to enable a mobile game ecosystem that powers immersive gaming experience, we first recognize that device capability is key. To ensure that, we work together with our OEM partners to deliver spectacular audio playback in Dolby Atmos on the device. Gamers can then experience Dolby Atmos through either the built-in speakers or through headphones. As part of the next step wherein to enable creators, we offer them Dolby Atmos plug-ins that allow game developers to deploy these device capabilities for their games. These plug-ins help creators create a new Dolby Atmos bus that will send 3D positional audio data to the appropriate Dolby virtualizer available in a Dolby Atmos-enabled playback device.

This is how Dolby Atmos allows gamers to detect the precise location and direction of sounds all around them, even overhead transforming games made for the small screen into immersive 3600 experiences. Sounds with lifelike detail are precisely placed all around them [gamers], so they feel like they are inside the game — reacting faster and more accurately than ever before. Whether you’re dropping into a busy battlefield or exploring a mysterious cave, understanding what’s around you is critical. Dolby Atmos allows you to pinpoint the precise location of individual sounds and more easily detect key sounds that might otherwise be lost.

Rehan: Could you share the feedback from Dolby consumers about better audio-visual experiences? What have been some of the top wish-listed demands from Dolby consumers?

Ashim: There is increased awareness around spatial audio, consumers these days are demanding more clarity, depth, and detail from their mobile content experiences. Immersive audio-visual technologies are fast becoming an important criterion when it comes to driving the narrative of a content piece whether it is movies, TV shows, music, games, live sports, or advertisements, among others. Last year, we partnered a study with CyberMedia Research (CMR) titled “Audio and Video Consumption on ‘On the Go’ Devices” to understand evolving consumer behaviour of smartphone users. The study reveals interesting details about how five in every six users (84%) feel that they connect better with content when they consume it in Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. The study also sheds light on how movies, music, and episodic content are the top three pieces of content that consumers are willing to experience in Dolby Atmos / Dolby Vision.

The consumers of today seek elevated experiences through the winning combination — the ultra-vivid colours of Dolby Vision and the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos — and go deeper into the story. It’s easier than ever to take your entertainment to the next level with the powerful combination of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The consumers want it, and we are here to deliver it.

Rehan: What are the changes that you have seen in terms of consumer behaviour around mobile gaming and content consumption?

Ashim: We are a mobile-first nation. With the availability of smartphones at all price points and with Indian consumers prioritising audio as the topmost feature in a new smartphone purchase (CMR Survey), video consumption & gaming on mobile is reaching far and wide. There is a higher demand for enhanced audio quality that gamers do not want to compromise on, so they can get the best gaming experience wherever they go. According to the CMR study, gamers are constantly scouting for better audio-visual experiences. Around two in every three gamers believe that Dolby Atmos can enhance their current gaming experience and even allow them to improve their performance. The gamers can feel the game come alive in a multidimensional soundscape that will bring greater detail and crystal clear, hair-raising realism to the overall experience.

The greater detail and clarity of Dolby Atmos make it easy to catch the subtle, yet game-changing sounds one usually misses, even in the heat of a very scary moment.

Rehan: How is working with a game developer for a game different than working with a smartphone maker like OnePlus, Samsung, Xiaomi, and more?

Ashim: When developing a game in Dolby Atmos with a gaming studio, the focus is on creating an engaging and immersive experience for players. Game developers must consider various aspects, including the game mechanics, storyline, art and graphics, sound, and overall user experience. There is also a need to continually innovate and stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies to keep players engaged and excited.

Game development also requires a team of specialized professionals with skills ranging from programming, game design, art and graphics, sound design, and more. In contrast, working with a smartphone maker usually involves implementation, testing, tuning & support tailored to the device’s specific hardware and software requirements.

Rehan: Could Dolby tease any upcoming experiences or technologies that gamers can look forward to in 2023?

Ashim: The world of mobile gaming is ever-expanding. There has been a steady rise in the availability of mobile games thereby leading to a rise in the number of gamers. With every new experience, gamers are demanding quality audio-visual technologies that will enable them to connect deeply with their mobile gaming experiences. At Dolby, we are always learning, growing, and evolving to give gamers a next-level gaming experience with our advanced audio & visual technologies. We are continuously focused on creating more opportunities for gamers so they can have an immersive, more realistic, more intense gaming experience, which will also allow them to improve their performance. This is just the beginning; we have a lot more in store.

Rehan: Have you completed the game yet? What have been the favorite Dolby experiences that the company has delivered in the last year?

Ashim: Yes, the game Floors of Fear is now available on the Play Store worldwide for Android users.

People love their entertainment and there is an exponential rise in demand for quality content that can be enjoyed from anywhere and everywhere. Dolby’s aim is to enable spectacular experiences for its consumers. So, in the last year, we have been building our momentum in all three use cases of Cinema, Living room, and on-the-go experiences. With a significant increase in the number of mobile gamers, it is undeniable that the demand for impactful audio-visual technologies will skyrocket as it provides that adrenaline rush for gamers in action. Another area that really worked well for us was the growth of Dolby Atmos Music & Podcasts. Our collaboration with streaming platforms, and now also in the automotive segment has been a focus area for us and will continue to be so. We are very excited about the journey ahead. It will be a great adventure to explore new possibilities and areas of innovation to be able to provide the best audio-visual technological experiences to our consumers.

Now, let’s focus on our conversation with Rahul Gidwani. At the start of the email interaction, Rahul shared the upcoming technology that Origami Gaming is working to integrate in the game including how the team added Dolby Atmos support. We chatted about the inspiration behind Floors of Fear, importance of good audio quality in games, future of Origami Games and more.

The conversation wrapped up after we talked about the time it took to create the game, trends around mobile game development in India, and a few favourite games for Rahul across different platforms from 2022. Let’s check the full interaction with Rahul Gidwani here.

Rehan Hooda: Could you share details about the algorithms and technology you created to craft this experience for Floors of Fear?

Rahul Gidwani: We wanted to build our game in Dolby Atmos which would give a completely new experience for our consumers. This is the first time we have done sound engineering to a level that has never been done before in any of our previous mobile games. There was a three-pronged approach we took to build this game. At the initiation stage, we did the designing of the whole experience that we wanted to build in the game. This was followed by engineering and the integration of Dolby tools inside our game. Lastly, we defined the various events, moments, and emotions that we wanted to make more impactful through Dolby Atmos. We wanted our consumers to have an impactful experience and with the help of Dolby Atmos, we were able to level up the experience one has- not just visually but also through audio.

We placed Dolby Atmos strategically by manipulating the directions and the way the whole experience would be in a horror set-up like that of Floors of Fear. This enabled us to give the most immersive thrilling horror experience to gamers.

Another innovative technology we’ve implemented in Floors of Fear is our voice chat system. Players can communicate with each other through voice chat, but the monster can also hear what the players are saying when they are within range. This adds a new layer of tension and strategy to the game, as players must be careful not to reveal their location or give away their plan to the monster.

We are currently working on integrating the “Ready Player Me” technology into Floors of Fear. This feature will allow players to create a personalized avatar by scanning their faces using a smartphone or webcam. With advanced facial recognition algorithms, Ready Player Me can accurately capture a player’s facial features and create a high-quality avatar that closely resembles the player. This will add a new level of immersion and personalization to the game, allowing players to see themselves in the game and feel more connected to their in-game character. We believe that this technology will be a game-changer in terms of player engagement and customization, and we’re looking forward to offering it to our players shortly.

Rehan: The game seems to have traits similar to Among Us and Dead by Daylight. What things have you added to make it different from these popular games?

Rahul: Yeah, we’re inspired by games like Among Us and Dead by Daylight, but we’ve also added our twists to make it unique. We have designed the levels in a way that caters to each monster’s playstyle. This means that each monster will have a distinct advantage in certain areas of the level, which creates a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience.

Additionally, we have implemented a perk system that rewards different playstyles and gives players the freedom to play how they want. This system provides players with a wide range of options to customize their characters, making each playthrough unique.

Finally, we have added a skill-based monster transformation mechanic, which adds a layer of strategy to the game. This mechanic determines who will become the monster based on who finds the monster’s lair first. This adds an element of unpredictability to the game and forces players to be strategic in their exploration of the level and a sense of betrayal to the experience. Players never know who will become the monster, which creates a sense of tension and excitement throughout the game.

Rehan: Could you share the need for good audio quality in games?

Rahul: Audio is a critical component in games. No matter the genre of the game, good audio can always elevate one’s experience and even boost a gamer’s performance. With quality sound, one can hear intricate details of soundtracks and noises to fully immerse in the virtual world and feel all emotions giving it a lifelike experience. Audio experiences can really bind together the whole experience. That is why we wanted to use Dolby Atmos in Floors of Fear. It is a horror game and with the spatial sound of Dolby Atmos, the gamers will feel the real jump scares. The technology will help gamers to engage with the game more deeply, unlike ever before, with the crisp clarity and sharp detail of the multidimensional soundscape of Dolby Atmos.

Rehan: When can we expect the game’s launch, and what is next for Origami Games?

Rahul: The game is now available on the Google Play store for Android and will be soon coming to IOS at the app store.

We are always striving to innovate and bring fresh experiences to gamers. Shortly, we have plans to release new floors and killers for Floors of Fear, each with its unique gameplay styles and challenges. We can’t wait for players to explore these new areas and face off against our latest killers. Additionally, we are excited to announce that we will soon be releasing a new title for all the cricket fans out there!!

Rehan: Finally, how long did it take for you to develop this game? Could you share your thoughts on the trends around mobile game development in India and the growth that mobile games have seen in the recent past?

Rahul: It took us 8 months to develop Floors of Fear, from initial concept to final release.

Mobile devices are fast becoming the primary means for gamers to play and consume games. This trend is only going to gain momentum from here on. Not just game developers but also technology companies and OEMs have realized this growing trend and are catering to serve the gaming audience. OEMs are innovating and launching hardware that suits the rising demand for mobile gaming. With 5G connectivity becoming a reality in the coming years- online gaming on mobile devices will only see a definite rise in consumption. Also, with Esports, mobile gaming is going to become a mainstream sport and we will witness an influx of more and more people joining this trend.

Rehan: What are your favourite mobile, PC, and Console games in the last year?

Rahul: In the mobile gaming space, our favourite games include Genshin Impact, and Call of Duty Mobile. These games offer immersive gameplay, stunning visuals, and a vast world to explore.

For PC gaming, Cyberpunk 2077, Deathloop, and Resident Evil Village. These games offer cutting-edge graphics, engaging storylines, and challenging gameplay.

In the console space, Halo Infinite, God of War: Ragnarök, and Horizon Forbidden West. These games offer stunning visuals, immersive gameplay, and engaging stories that keep players coming back for more.