What is this sound? Sound Library Discussion

[WarKirby]

Hello everyone.

XKCD is the only place I'd think geeky enough to know this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAULIFqlEY0

At about 8 seconds into this video, you'll hear a very distinctive sound. Like an alien beast roaring.
When I saw it, what struck me immediately is that it's not original. I've heard this sound before, many times before, in fact. But the only other place I can concretely remember it from, is the Dragons in Warcraft II

How about you all? Who has heard this sound effect before, and where? Why do so many game developers reuse this sound clip? is it public domain?

[SecondTalon]

I doubt it's public domain. There's sound companies who will sell you a package of sounds for X amount of dollars, and you use them however you see fit. Blizzard likely either made use of the same sound library, or is selling the sound themselves.

See Also : The Wilhelm Scream - Observable here.

[You, sir, name?]

Regarding blizzard sounds, this one is also everywhere
Academy scream

[WarKirby]

truly awesome replies, thank you both. Clearly, this sound is not alone in it's ubiquity. The comments on my video seem to indicate it was used in Power Rangers too.

I'm interested in tracing these sounds. Call it a geeky curiosity. I doubt I'd ever use them, except perhaps for ironic value. Their sheer abundance would cheapen any non-comedic work they're used in, I feel.

Seeing the above ones, the question that keeps coming back to my mind, is what about copyright? The wilhelm scream sample on wikipedia is described as having been released into the public domain, by it's "author" the internet archive, but that website clearly isn't it's author. The late sheb wooley is, and all evidence seems to indicate it's owned by Warner Brothers studios

Regarding my original sound, I would be interested in anyone mentioning where else they've heard it. Can anyone confirm if it's actually created by blizzard, or if they got it from elsewhere? and who owns the rights to it now ?

[You, sir, name?]

I have managed to dig up a wikipedia article on the scream I posted earlier: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howie_scream

This is also relevant: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_sound_effect

[SecondTalon]

...

Seeing the above ones, the question that keeps coming back to my mind, is what about copyright? The wilhelm scream sample on wikipedia is described as having been released into the public domain, by it's "author" the internet archive, but that website clearly isn't it's author. The late sheb wooley is, and all evidence seems to indicate it's owned by Warner Brothers studios

Regarding my original sound, I would be interested in anyone mentioning where else they've heard it. Can anyone confirm if it's actually created by blizzard, or if they got it from elsewhere? and who owns the rights to it now ?

Given that it was from Warcraft II, when Blizzard wasn't exactly the powerhouse it is today, most likely it was a purchased noise and the copyright holder is... well, whatever sound company made it.

As for the Wilhelm scream.... I couldn't begin to tell you about it's copyright status.

[psion]

I seriously doubt Blizzard has ever sold sound effects that they may have made, since as a company they've always been well off and selling sounds is basically giving a piece of your game to a competitor. It's most likely stock. Check through pond5 if you're really that curious.

[WarKirby]

I decided to email blizzard about this question. Here is the response I got from them (my original message is below it)

Greetings,

Thank you for your email. Unfortunately this is not an issue that the Account and Technical Services can assist you with. If you wish to discuss this further, we invite you to contact our Marketing department via postal letter at the following address:

Blizzard Entertainment Europe
FAO: Marketing Department
TSA 60 001
78143 Vélizy Villacoublay Cedex
France

Thank you again for your interest in Blizzard products.

If you require any further billing assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.


Best regards.

Customer Services
Blizzard Entertainment
http://eu.blizzard.com/support

-----Original Message-----
To: techeu@blizzard.com
Sent: 22/05/2011 20:17:02
Subject: [en]Warcraft II -- Other -- Copyright/Sound question

Request ------------------------------------
Product: Warcraft II
Category: Other -- Copyright/Sound question

Description --------------------------------

Dear blizzard
I write in regards to a particular sound effect that I first heard in Warcraft II. The sound effect is played upon selection of a Dragon unit(horde).

This sound is notable because it appears in many other IPs, which do not appear to be blizzard related. One is Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, an example can be heard at 8 seconds into this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAULIFqlEY0

I want to enquire about the copyright status of this sound. Is it public domain? Did blizzard create it? Did blizzard purchase the rights to use it from a third party, and if so, who?