If you've got some sweet high-quality headphones on-hand and happen to play the online battle royale game Fortnite on a regular basis, you might be interested to hear Epic Games has added in a new option that makes it easier to detect which direction you're about to be attacked from.
Alongside the launch of Chapter 2, Epic has revealed the inclusion of a "3D Headphones" mode to improve the spatialization of tactically-important sounds. Here's how you can toggle it on:
With the release of Chapter 2, we’re excited to share that we’ve added a setting to improve audio. Tested by members of the competitive community, by toggling on the “3D Headphones” mode in the Audio Options menu, the mode will improve spatialization of tactically-important sounds.
What does that mean? You’ll have a better sense of sounds above, below, and behind you! Please note: we recommend stereo headphones for this mode, and the mode will not work if you have the “Visualize Sound Effects” accessibility option enabled. Jump in and try it out!
Epic has even released a video explaining how the 3D headphones option works:
Have you had any wins with this new audio option yet? Tell us below.
[source epicgames.com]
Comments 21
All games need more consideration of stereo / surround audio. I remember playing games on the Gameboy with headphones, and the music took full advantage of stereo audio in really awesome ways. Final Fantasy Legend is an amazing example of this. And really, you just don't get much application of such things these days. I have a surround sound system set up properly and with most games, I barely hear a peep from the side speakers....
Yes I remember the days of Qsound!
And still no bluetooth support for the switch
I can’t get Fortnite to play on switch since they shut it down and relaunched.
All I have is a black icon with the name Fortnite only coming visible when clicked.
However when clicked the icon to run the game it gives back error code 2002-0007
I’ve run the corrupted data check and re downloaded the game but it stays the same.
I went to delete it this evening and it wouldn’t delete and it gave me the same error code of 2002-0007.
Anyone else had this issue?
@Laxeybobby This is a common issue among thousands of households, upsetting many children but pleasing even more parents.
@Obito_Sigma
So this is a known issue on switch then?
I have used this as an excuse to delete the game from the switch but it won’t let me do that as it gives me the error code.
So we are left with a black icon constantly reminding the kids it’s there but they can’t play it.
@Laxeybobby did it let you delete it and the icon is left or not delete it at all? If it let you delete it and your stick with the icon try turning the power off the switch for a couple of minutes and back on.
Worst game ever gets better music but we will do nothing to improve the game.
@Dirty0814
It won’t let me delete at all.
I select delete and it thinks about it for a second or two then give me the error code 2002-0007. The same error code that I get if the game is launched.
@Dirty0814 I emailed Nintendo support and they fobbed me off saying contact the developer.
Emailed and tweeted Epic game (Fortnite) and have been ignored.
Only option I see is to format the SD card I’m using and have all my games on, then re download all my games, but right now that seems an extreme resolution.
This sounds pretty cool! I’ll have to give it a try next time I jump in.
My headphones are already 3D.
Ooh, that video is cringey.
UMM Nintendo Life, have you actually played the game? When I checked last night there was no option for 3D audio in the Switch version, I know where the option is located as I also play the game on PC, so this whole article is pointless for Nintendo Switch players...
@Hughesy I can’t find the option as well. They should update the article
@Edu23XWiiU Really poor from Nintendo Life to write a whole article and not even play the game to see for themselves. The new 3d audio is only for Xbox, PS4 and PC, all of which have access to Dolby or DTS surround sound so don't even need this. The one platform that needed it was Switch, as it doesnt support any surround sound tech.
@Hughesy that’s a shame, and this is not the first time they report inaccurately. Let’s hope an update adds that option on Switch, seems interesting
@Hughesy Huh?? Fortnite doesn't support surround sound on PC at least. The Switch has support for uncompressed 5.1 surround sound anyways, but this is something totally separate, which the game still doesn't support. This new option uses info from the game itself for more accurate HRTF info.
@Braok What are you talking about? Every single game on PC and console supports simulated surround sound which this article is about. If you're using dolby surround or even Windows sonic with headphones.... Its the same thing that Epic have now added in game, just not on Switch, making this article pointless. Desperate for clicks I suppose.
Doesn't seem like the people at NL have played Fortnite in recent times. 3D Headphones audio is NOT available on Switch or Mobile.
However, I'm anticipating that it will be added soon - Epic haven't mentioned anything about it not being on the platforms so possibly there was a slight issue in rolling it out.
@Hughesy I thought you meant discrete surround sound, sorry. Even still, this should be far more accurate as the game is using information of where the sounds are coming from and distance between the player and sound source, etc. compared to a typical virtual surround algorithm which will, at best, use a 7.1 audio stream as its source, which Fortnite doesn't even support.
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