Support NeoGAF

[angular graphics]

http://www.worknd.ru/

Google translate:

It has long been obvious that the protocol A3D died with Aureal firm forever, but there are still games that support it, and some people (maybe?) These games still continues to play.

For these fans retro been developed that product. The purpose of development - the ability to work through A3D interface with virtually any sound card, and not only with hardware support A3D (AU8810, AU8820, AU8830).

Implementation - A3D interface calls are translated into calls to the interface DirectSound3D. This method was implemented support for A3D interface version 1 on many sound cards, for example, in the sound card driver "Sound Blaster Live". The main difference between the products offered by these solutions - supporting private protocol A3D DAL, making it possible to support the early reflections.

The only requirement for correct operation - Support for sound card DirectSound3D hardware threads.

The product is only one executable file A3D-Live.exe . To install it you need to download and run. After that will be set to support A3D interface version 1 and version 2 A3D and A3D version 3.

So just download A3D-Live.exe found on that page and if you are on Vista/7/8 you might have to use Alchemy or similar software to further translate the DirectSound3D calls to OpenAL. (In essence A3D being wrapped to DirectSound3D being wrapped to OpenAL).

Some success stories:

http://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=31502&start=40

"Well, i am use A3D wrapper, i have found it on russian site, an its work well"

http://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=39823

"I have tested that wrapper and it works on Windows 8 (I haven't tried Deus Ex, but it works with Outlaws)."

http://www.head-fi.org/t/687635/aureal-a3d

"i have tested flawlessly fallout tactics(proof that works) and some Aureal3D demos (dated from 1997 to 1999!) which i found on the net"

List of PC games supporting A3D: http://web.archive.org/web/20030212190019/http://www.vortexofsound.com/gamelist/gamelist-a3d.htm

 

[angular graphics]

Page 4... Bump.

 

[peakish]

Neat! I might check it out when replaying Thief or Deus Ex next time. I never had any fancy stuff like this back then, but I've been amazed by what I've heard in videos since.

Videos for anyone who doesn't know what A3D did:
Half-Life
Unreal Tournament
Deus Ex

 

[androvsky]

That seems like it would be exciting at first, but it doesn't get you the binaural audio, does it?

 

[angular graphics]

That seems like it would be exciting at first, but it doesn't get you the binaural audio, does it?

I don't see why it wouldn't, but I haven't tested it, so..

 

[PastorOfMuppets]

creative Labs suing this company into oblivion is one of the great tragedies of late 90s/early 2000s PC gaming IMO. Glad to see people are trying to keep their legacy alive.

 

[alf717]

Anyone try this with the current HL engine on Steam? When they went Linux they decided the A3D sound was a bug and removed. I'm not sure if it was completely or not though. I got my 3D sound back using Creative Alchemy and since they updated the game it hasn't worked.

Edit: Seems easy enough gonna give it a go myself. I'll edit if it works or not.

Edit 2: Nope it doesn't work, unless I did something wrong? I only get the High and Low options for sound. No A3D or EAX. Used Creative Alchemy as well. bummer.

 

[epmode]

These old PC games were doing awesome stuff with sound effect processing that even modern games ignore. I can't help but think of this technology when I play Bioshock and hear a splicer that is surely RIGHT NEXT TO ME.. ..but no, it's in an adjacent tunnel with 12 feet of glass and ocean between us.

 

[angular graphics]

creative Labs suing this company into oblivion is one of the great tragedies of late 90s/early 2000s PC gaming IMO. Glad to see people are trying to keep their legacy alive.

Creative got a taste of their own medicine when 1) Microsoft killed DirectSound3D, 2) multiplatform development became the standard and devs lost interest in focusing on PC's sound capabilities and 3) on-board audio became of "acceptable" quality. Very unfortunately for both them and us.

Anyone try this with the current HL engine on Steam? When they went Linux they decided the A3D sound was a bug and removed. I'm not sure if it was completely or not though. I got my 3D sound back using Creative Alchemy and since they updated the game it hasn't worked.

Edit: Seems easy enough gonna give it a go myself. I'll edit if it works or not.

Edit 2: Nope it doesn't work, unless I did something wrong? I only get the High and Low options for sound. No A3D or EAX. Used Creative Alchemy as well. bummer.

Hardware sound is gone in those games. Silly Valve

 

[Xander51]

Hey, A3D, neat! Used to love my A3D card. Never thought anyone was working on bringing support back.