3D sound? A3D?

[eagl]

Sorry for the repost, but this got no answers in the general forum.

Hello all,
Will hardware enhanced or accelerated 3D sound be implemented (ala A3D, EAX, etc) in the future? If not, will "simple" 4-speaker front/back speaker support be added? I say "simple" not as in "easy to do", but as in "basic positioning without hardware acceleration of reflections,etc".

Apologies if this is a FAQ, but I can't find the answer in previous posts.



------------------
eagl <squealing Pigs> BYA
Oink Oink To War!!!

[Aqualung]

I believe AH uses DirectSound (part of DirectX).  DirectSound already provides hardware acceleration and direct access to the sound card.  3D sound is not a basic component of DirectSound, it can be developed by using DirectSound rather painlessly (by changing volume, arrival offset, muffling, etc.).  As for A3D and EAX being implemented, I have no clue, but my guess would be no.  DirectSound is hardware accelerated and can develop the 3D sound needed, though I don't think it can do the reflections you mentioned (but who needs sound reflections in a WWII flight sim?).

This is all conjecture, anyone with better info want to contribute?


-Aqualung