To hear in 3D

Computer games are exemplary from a visual perspective. Players get lost in rich, 3D-rendered worlds. Character movement becomes more and more fluid, the environment responds and adapts to the choices we make in game-time. But in terms of audio, development has been lacking. Even with headphones on, the music, voices, and sounds of a game are very disjointed from the ‘real world’ listening experience. Perceptual problems such as externalisation, localisation, sound quality and listener fatigue hindered a true, immersive response.

Well, until now.

The team at Personal Audio, recognising the huge potential in this neglected area of gaming, have combined cutting edge research in the neurosciences, psychophysics and digital signal processing to develop exciting new 3D audio technologies. They created MyEars™; a calibration system that creates a unique sound profile for each individual and her headphones. Using MyEars™ , game players hear sounds just like they would in the real world. If a twig snaps behind you in the game, you will hear it that way too. Reaction times, in this way, can be refined to the split second. Those who’ve had to respawn because they couldn’t place their enemy’s footsteps will know the value of this advantage.
To obtain the profile, users have to go through a series of tests that determine the right values. These tests ask them to listen to sounds and position them in space. The completion of these tests for customers needed a web-based approach.  This is where Demonz came in. We created a set of flash-based user interface screens which assisted users in playing and positions sounds in the perspective of 3D space. Demonz also created several related UI components which include a 3D introductory animation that explains the concept to first time users and demos that allow the user to experience 3D sound in real-time and compare it to stereo sound so that they know the difference in experience.

The reception by the gaming community has been extremely positive. Gizmodo and Games.On.Net were overwhelmingly impressed with MyEars™, and Bigpond Game Arena recently released a video review that tested MyEars™ all the way down to cheap, MP3 player headphones and found the system fully functional. It has featured in print with Game Informer, and in newspapers with The Age. As an Australian company, using the research of Australian universities, our local gaming community should be very proud of MyEars™.

MyEars™ is still looking for beta testers, so if you want to experience the new sound, check out the website at http://www.myears.net.au.