Sierra's Prototype is first game with Neural-THX 7.1 surround sound

by James Ransom-Wiley { Jan 7th 2008 at 4:45PM }

For those with cavernous home theaters (or just really keen ears), Sierra is pleased to announce that Radical Entertainment's Prototype will be the first video game – evar! – to feature Neural-THX Surround technology, capable of driving sound through seven speakers and a subwoofer. While some critics have denounced 7.1 surround as "nonsensical" for home use, there is undoubtedly at least one audiophile out there who has been itching to press his ear to the right side-mounted speaker and proclaim, "Yes! The sound of that gunfire does correlate to the man on the right of the screen unloading his AK-47 into me and not to the other man just behind me firing off that Glock 19 – brilliant!" Sadly, these finer points will be lost on those of with just five speakers or, dare we mention, only two.

Tags: 7.1, neural-thx, Prototype, radical, sierra, surround-sound, thx

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Supino @ Jan 7th 2008 4:52PM

This is as exciting as TILT controls

Steven @ Jan 7th 2008 4:56PM

Clearly you are being sarcastic, but this is actually really exciting. For audiophiles like me, this is great news. I actually have a 7.1 system, and the more games that come out that take advantage of this, the better.

NATO_Duke @ Jan 7th 2008 5:12PM

We have 7.1 and think Its really overkill in the end.

VampireHunter Z @ Jan 7th 2008 4:54PM

I've heard 7.1 and it's amazing. But 5.1 is good enough for me. Plus I can't blast it as I wish in my apartment. I currently have my subwoofer disconnected so that I do not destroy the neighbors. So my system is actually 5.0 and not 5.1 /sigh

killploki @ Jan 7th 2008 5:04PM

the people below recently moved out and im pretty sure it was from all the bass shaking my entire apartment during explosions in call of duty.

Zertoss @ Jan 7th 2008 5:07PM

I agree, a 7.1 setup is awesome, but I don't have the room in my place to set that up, so I'll stick to my 5.1 system, which is plenty awesome for me.

Also, I have my bass turned way down so I don't bug my apartment neighbors, but I can still hear it on my subwoofer. ;)

Alahmnat @ Jan 7th 2008 5:14PM

As a fellow apartment-dweller who has to deal with bass-loving idiots (and their children) at all hours of the day and night, I thank you for your humanity.

343 Guilty Fart @ Jan 7th 2008 5:08PM

The Onkyo receiver I got a few months ago has a Neural surround setting and I've liked it so much I have it as my default setting. At first I thought it was some cyberpunk setting that plugged straight into my head.

Trev @ Jan 7th 2008 5:15PM

So its a neat looking game with fancy sound?

...

I see no way this is bad. Carry on.

Machiavelli 420 @ Jan 7th 2008 5:26PM

All this means nothing if in any decent-AAA game can't take advantage of. If you don't got a stellar soundtrack which can please all sides of the spectrum with your work than good.

Either that or I'd like to hear a unique sound experience worth this benefit. Don't give me a BB gun sound in the office and equipment when end product value could of been on par with some realistic and in-depth value.

So when I hear whatever is coming out of my tv speakers ='( or 7.1 sound system I'd like to expect the games output to be semi-decent. In a game like this I'd want the helicopter whopping over head with guys to my right screaming orders. Marching soilders getting postitions and laying up their guns.

With the sound of tanks treads in the distance ever closing in and then all of a sudden a blank silence looms and a voice through the loud speaker is then heard echoing on to my position.

That there with all the added subtle / special effects to give an in-depth experience. As like no true experience is any fun w/o sound. With a feature of 7.1 now in developer hands it's not up to them to be able to create something worth the money and industry it drives.

Otherwise why bother?

RBecho @ Jan 7th 2008 5:29PM

Here is my next question, what cable supports true 7.1 (non compressed, non matrix). HDMI (maybe don't know, but odds are it's matrixed) optical doesn't (matrixed), RCA doesn't.

Besides, it really is over kill, a good 5.1 system works great, and unless you truly tune a 7.1 system, odds are the furniture in your room or that door to let you into it kills it. Not to mention all the issues with balancing across the channels and so on.

Plain and simple, it's just not worth it for anything other than "Me First" claims.

Vidikron (FU) @ Jan 7th 2008 6:03PM

HDMI supports uncompressed LPCM audio. Unfortunately, the 360 does not.

Ian @ Jan 7th 2008 5:33PM

This might be the first game to use Neural-THX in 7.1, but it isn't the first game "evar!" to use a 7.1 surround audio format. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune supports uncompressed 7.1 LPCM surround and - I think - a couple of other PS3 titles have 7.1 support as well.

I played Drake's in 7.1 and it sounded pretty cool in my house. You really could hear the enemy moving around the room which helped pick them off.

Vidikron (FU) @ Jan 7th 2008 6:04PM

I believe Warhawk is 7.1 as well.

dizzy @ Jan 7th 2008 5:34PM

hey I rock 2 speakers on my work computer =(

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Jan 7th 2008 5:38PM

Only 2 speakers...

*GASP*!

ManInABox552 @ Jan 7th 2008 5:44PM

That reminds me of this webcomic: http://www.biggercheese.com/index.php?comic=703

Robobagins @ Jan 7th 2008 5:54PM

What about 7.2 sound? No love for those rolling with 7 speakers and 2 subwoofers? Kidding. Really who has a *.2 system? I find one to be overkill all on it's own sometimes.

Enzo304 @ Jan 7th 2008 6:46PM

5.2 here. I don't think it's too overkill... It just... Shakes. Everything.

bm @ Jan 7th 2008 5:54PM

Even 7 speakers can't do half of what Holophonic sound can do with just regular old headphones (i.e. realistic near/far, up/down). I don't understand why developers don't focus on that more, and less on this unrealistic so called "3D" sound that requires ever more expensive hardware.

Oh, wait. I do understand.

JET @ Jan 7th 2008 6:07PM

Other 7.1 PCM PS3 games include Lair, Super Stardust HD, flOw, Blast Factor, Resistence, and various sports titles.

JET

Killer @ Jan 7th 2008 6:13PM

7.1 is amazing...play Half Life 2 on that... it sounds like you're really the guy...I'm happy to hear this (pun not intended) even though I've been playing 5.1 games with a onkyo reciver that can convert it to 7.1...so I wont hear any different then what I do now..

Ace121212 @ Jan 7th 2008 6:36PM

Dont tell anyone, but this is really Assassins Creed 2. Its a secret.

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jan 7th 2008 7:00PM

That's.........cool.

rikimaru @ Jan 7th 2008 7:49PM

No the future is 10.5 sound! I want to hear a movie or game in 10 and a half directions while the sounds of my wife, children, and conscience go unheard.

JodyAnthony (death by snoo-snoo) @ Jan 7th 2008 7:51PM

I'm using the speakers built into the tv!

IntelliCow @ Jan 7th 2008 8:14PM

I'm... deaf in my right ear. Like, stone deaf. I listen to my iPod with a single earbud and a cheapo Radio Shack stereo-to-mono adapter. So, allow me a rueful chuckle at the notion of 7.1 surround.

You know what game sucks? Marco Polo. For serious. Try it with one ear plugged; it's tragic.

Rigor Mortis @ Jan 7th 2008 8:24PM

Sounds sexy, but I'm sticking with stereo. I'd rather spend my money on audiophile stereo than passable 7.1

....at least until I win the lottery and become able to afford audiophile 7.1

jynxycat @ Jan 7th 2008 9:11PM

What's that you say, audiophile stereo sound ?

We got you covered

http://gizmodo.com/341307/dr-dre-creates-beats-by-dr-dre-headphones-with-monster-cable

ThornedVenom @ Jan 8th 2008 2:36AM

First game to support 7.1 surround sound? Meh.

Wake me up when the first game to support volume level 11 comes out.

Ian @ Jan 8th 2008 4:09AM

Technically my amp can be "9.4" as it can output to two sets of Front L/R speakers and 4 active subwoofers simultaneously, but I think that's a bit overkill. Heck, a single subwoofer is enough to make me worry about my neighbours - can't fathom what 4 subs would be like...