For the independent game developer, due to time constraints it is sometimes necessary to reuse existing assets rather than create every single element of the game from scratch. Sound and audio effects are no exception. Unfortunately if you don’t know where to look, finding quality SFX for your game can take just as long as creating them yourself in some cases, so below I have compiled a list of the resources that I use most often for SFX when creating a game. They are simply ordered by the resources I use most often. There are many sites out there similar to these, but using the list below I have never needed to search further.
#1 – Audio Jungle
Audio Jungle is by far my favorite and most used resource for both SFX and game music when I’m not making my own. The quality control is impeccable, and there is no need to cull out the low quality sounds because for the most part, they don’t make it past Audio Jungles screening process. There are sounds starting from $1 each and when you need a sound in a jiffy, Audio Jungle is the way to go.
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#2 – FreeSound.org
FreeSound.org has a ton of audio clips, effects, recordings, and a lot of unmastered stuff – all free Creative Commons Licensing.
#3 – CCMixter
CCMixter is a great resource for free music. Most of the genres you’ll find here ‘dance’ style music, but there is an occasional pop or rock song available too.
#4 – Sound Bible
Search preview & download free sounds for instant use in your game.
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#5 – Flashkit
I’ve been using Flashkit since the 90’s, and even though most of the stuff on here is pretty old, it still remains to be one of the best resources for free sfx that I have found.
#6 – OpenGameArt.org
OpenGameArt is another site that is human edited for quality assurance. This site has a lot of free licensing option.
#7 – SoundDogs
Another site that I have been using for years to find simple sound effects.
#8 – Newgrounds
Newgrounds has been online since the early 90’s but it was only a decade or so ago that they began the ‘Audio Portal’. A massive collection of user-submitted audio free to use in your NG projects.
#9 – Unity Asset Store
If you use Unity, don’t rule out the asset store for SFX. You can find a lot of free and low-cost sound packs available, which could cover every sound you need for your project in one package.
#10 KevinGulling.com/assets
I’ve put together a compendium of my sounds and other assets and made them available for download here for use in your personal or commercial projects.
