Respawn Entertainment has announced significant audio improvements for Apex Legends with the launch of Season 27 on 2023-11-04. The update aims to improve gameplay by making enemy footsteps more distinguishable, thus enhancing threat detection for players.
Audio System Overhaul
The new audio system introduces a Focused Mix that lowers the volume of weapons and ally footsteps while amplifying those of enemies. This mix is designed to help players better identify and respond to nearby threats. A dynamic threat system will now adjust audio priorities based on factors such as enemy proximity and line of sight.
Additionally, multiband sidechain compression has been implemented to decrease audio clutter during busy moments, ensuring that critical cues remain clear. Ambient sounds will also transition more smoothly, improving the overall sense of immersion when moving between indoor and outdoor settings.
Performance Improvements and Monitoring
Respawn has also focused on reducing instances where important sounds like footsteps are cut for performance reasons. The studio reported that footstep audio disruptions have decreased dramatically since earlier versions, dropping from around 125 interruptions per player-match in Season 24 to 20 in Season 25.
Moreover, an advanced monitoring system will track and manage audio clarity and performance, ensuring an optimized gaming environment for players.
These changes not only aim to enhance the player's gaming experience but also set a new standard for audio dynamics in online gaming. As Season 27 rolls out, players can expect a more immersive and tactically advantaged gameplay environment.
