Microsoft has released a new video dedicated to the creation of the upcoming Flight Simulator game, which focuses on its audio features and features. In this video, Asobo Sound Engineer AurΓ©lien Piters talks about the sound of the upcoming flight simulator.
The game's audio engine has been completely redesigned and now uses Audiokinetic Wwise, allowing for the latest interactive audio technologies such as real-time audio or even dynamic mixing. These innovations have given great freedom and allowed to simulate the reflections of sound waves, cabin acoustics or even the Doppler effect. In doing so, the sound changes according to the environment: if the wind increases or the plane shakes, the sound will reflect these changes to enhance the depth of the simulation. Modders will be able to customize and change sounds.
It was also important for the developers to reflect the acoustic features of each aircraft. To obtain an accurate result, a partnership was concluded with aircraft manufacturers, within which it was possible to visit aircraft manufacturing enterprises and get full access to the aircraft. Using a special device, it was possible to capture sounds with high accuracy for 16 channels: each microphone recorded certain elements of the perspective (front propeller, side propeller, closed exhaust, far exhaust, and so on). This made it possible to transfer surround sound into the game. The sounds of cockpit buttons, switches, instruments and even flaps were also recorded.
In addition, with the help of special technology, the developers were able to record the acoustic space of the cockpits in such a way as to reproduce any sounds or voices, as if the player really hears it in the cockpit of a particular aircraft. The developers have tried to realize the most realistic picture of the reflection of sounds: for example, flying over the mountains, the player will feel how the sounds are reflected from them. And thanks to the Doppler effect, depending on the speed of the flying aircraft and the observer's own speed, the sound of the engine will be modulated, as in real life. The aerodynamic wind flow on the aircraft was also modeled. When landing imperfectly, the player will hear the impact and shaking of the aircraft.
In the new simulator, you can land anywhere a plane can land, so players can hear the soundscape of different places. To do this, a system of biomes was created based on land classification data. Depending on where the player is, they will hear different sounds. For example, in the African savannah there will be completely different types of fauna than in the Alaska region. In the same way, night and day soundscapes are modeled, and so on.
The weather tells its own story, and the flight simulator will be able to adjust a lot of variables, each of which is associated with sound. For example, if the player increases the wind, he will not only feel it during the flight, but also hear it. The same goes for rain, thunder, and even storms.
Luckily, the video also contains new gameplay footage. In Microsoft Flight Simulator, players will be able to fly highly detailed civilian aircraft in an incredibly realistic world. It will be possible to create your own flight plans and fly to anywhere in the world. In addition, the game will have a day and night cycle along with difficult weather conditions. Microsoft Flight Simulator is due to launch in 2020. The game does not currently support VR headsets, however Microsoft is looking to add virtual reality.
Source: 3dnews.ru