Audio for Games: Planning, Process, and Production

Middleware and Vendors

Middleware can make life incredibly easy for you and your sound team—as long as it does what you want it to do. Remember the development process map (DPM). Once you've established your sound engine needs, you can look at the various middleware options available and pick the one that works best for you. You also need to talk with vendors to see who you think will work with you most effectively. Here are some of the most commonly used middleware products today:

Microsoft DirectSound and DirectMusic (Go to www.microsoft.com/windows/directx and search for DirectMusic/DirectSound)

DirectSound and DirectMusic are part of Microsoft's no-cost DirectX program, which lets Windows-based PCs take advantage of advanced code dedicated ...