Roblox’s iconic (and meme-worthy) “oof” sound was removed from the game on Tuesday after what the developer called a “licensing issue.” This isn’t the first time Roblox has encountered copyright issues with this sound, but it looks like it’s going to be gone for good this time around.
The soundbite was originally created by sound designer Tommy Tallarico in 2000, for a game called Messiah. Although the sound has been used in Roblox since 2006, Tallarico settled a copyright dispute with Roblox over the sound in 2020. The result of this first dispute meant that the sound would still be available in the game, but cost the equivalent of about $ 1 in – game currency to use.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Roblox is one of the most popular video games in the world, but even for those who don’t play, a single sound effect has entered meme culture to become instantly recognizable: the sound of death “oof”. In the wake of some ongoing licensing issues Roblox has been having with sound effects, the team behind the game has announced that the infamous “oof” has been completely removed from the game. They explained in a tweet from the official Roblox Twitter account that they “have created a replacement default sound” and that they “plan to expand Avatar Shop with a whole range of old and new sounds in the future.”
Sound related, due to a licensing issue we have removed the “oof” sound from Roblox and created a replacement default sound which is launching today. We plan to expand our Avatar Shop with a whole range of old and new sounds in the future. More to come on this one.
Who made the original OOF death sound?
Tommy Tallarico, an American video game music composer, sound designer, and musician, is the original creator of the Roblox death sound, which has now been removed. Sound was first used in a game called Messiah and when the creator discovered its use in Roblox, he partnered with Roblox. After this, if someone wanted to use sound in his experience, he would have to pay a small cost. But there appear to have been licensing issues, which is why fans won’t hear it again on the platform.
While this is a pity, any change at the beginning is frustrating. Who knows, soon everyone may get used to the new sound of death. But the original OOF will always remain in our hearts. End of an era.
Why is Roblox removing the “Oof” sound effect?
VentureBeat reported last year that the “Oof” sound effect used as the death sound in Roblox was originally from the video game “Messiah” developed by Shiny Entertainment and published by Interplay in l It’s the year 2000.
According to the report, Intellivision CEO Tommy Tallarico sent an email to GamesBeat last year claiming the rights to the sound effect and demanding compensation for the last 14 years where Roblox used sound for himself. A year later, the two sides seem to have reached an agreement.