After receiving flak for Halo InfinitIn the first shot of e gameplay, developer 343 Industries is in damage control mode. Fans were presented with screenshots of the sniper’s evolving look and told about new features, including the ability to push enemies out of the Halo ring. The studio’s latest progress report changes graphics and gameplay to offer a series of audio updates. At the top of the list is news that Halo Infinite will be the first title in the series to support space audio such as Dolby Atmos, Windows Sonic and DTS Headphone: X.
While you would expect this from a big first-party exclusive, the change is part of 343’s broader effort to give the game enhanced clarity and depth of sound. Virtual surround sound technology alongside enhanced weapons and shooting audio that analyzes weapon sounds frame by frame. 343 states that the new system prioritizes sounds in a threat to decide the output volume of each weapon based on its origin and relationship with the player. For example, if a shot is aimed at you, the sound will be louder than a teammate’s shooting.
In terms of the score of the campaign modality, the studio recruited three composers with different specialties to record about three to four hours of written music. Gareth Coker was chosen for his “orchestral command”, Curtis Schweitzer for his writing for choir and piano and Joel Corelitz for his knowledge of synthesizers. The new track is inspired by the original trilogy to offer a “strong dose of nostalgia”.
It also looks like the audio technicians had fun recording real-world sounds to use in the game: From Tasmanian Devil vocals to explosions unleashed in a desert and recorded by 80 microphones. The team also violently destroyed a piano using golf clubs and clubs to create loud sounds of impact and debris. Then they applied dry ice to his remains to make him sing, scream and squeak. You can check out the destruction in the video below.