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luciusDXL / TheForceEngine

Modern "Jedi Engine" replacement supporting Dark Forces, mods, and in the future Outlaws.
https://TheForceEngine.github.io
GNU General Public License v2.0
987 stars 73 forks source link

Feature request: 3D audio (5.1 / 7.1 / "surround sound") #159

Open seascape opened 1 year ago

seascape commented 1 year ago

Congratulations on shipping 1.0. A day long awaited!

I have an audio-related suggestion. GZDoom has a wonderful implementation of the OpenAL Soft audio middleware. It can position sounds in 3D space and convincingly simulate those placements audibly through headphones with HRTF (head-related transfer function) effects. Virtualized headphone 3D audio via HRTFs is also common in VR, modern games consoles like PS5, etc.

A similar feature would be an obvious fit for an FPS like Dark Forces, greatly enhancing its soundscape.

QmwJlHuSg9pa commented 1 year ago

Virtualized headphone 3D audio via HRTFs is also common in VR, modern games consoles like PS5, etc.

A similar feature would be an obvious fit for an FPS like Dark Forces, greatly enhancing its soundscape.

In terms of lineage, all of the sequels implement 3D audio -- either through the A3D (JKDF2) or OpenAL (Outcast, Academy) APIs (for best compatibility with modern machines, one can utilise drop-in OpenAL Soft libraries in all cases). Also, modern projects like OpenJKDF2 and OpenJK use OpenAL Soft.

Indeed, this would be a "nice to have" feature.

luciusDXL commented 1 year ago

TFE was aiming for accuracy in terms of sound as well as other aspects. For that reason, the game code and iMuse are used for sound mixing. There are plans for improved sound in the future and support for things like this, but I want to make sure the option exists to keep the original sound mixing if desired as well. Anyway, definitely an area for future work. :)