How Audio Radar Transforms Gaming: From Helldivers to Minecraft

This article evaluates the compatibility of different games with Audio Radar, an accessibility gaming tool to make games more accessible for deaf or hard-of-hearing gamers. I score compatibility on 3 factors, on a scale of 1-5: 

 

Frequency of Use: How often does the Audio Radar help in the game? A higher score means it helps often.

Accuracy of Sound Representation: How well does the audio radar visually represent game sounds? A higher score means it's very accurate.

Overall Integration: How well Audio Radar fits into the game. A higher score means it fits very well and adds to the experience.

 

These scores do not represent the game as a whole; they are solely based on compatibility with the Audio Radar.

 

In this day and age, there’s no shortage of video games. From FPS games to Survival games, there’s an entire spectrum of games for players to enjoy. With the introduction of Audio Radar, games have become entirely different for the deaf community. Let’s scope into some popular games, and highlight how Audio Radar changes the experience. 

 

 

In the fight for democracy, locating incoming enemies and detecting friendly (or not-so-friendly) eagle strikes is important. While testing Helldivers 2, I found that the Audio Radar helped me detect swarms of enemies, giving me a clear idea of the direction of the attack. Despite this, there are still plenty of situations where the light bars detect sound from all around, making it difficult to decipher where sounds are coming from. On higher difficulties such as Helldive, I've found that audio cues become pretty irrelevant when surrounded by bugs or robots. During these times, sight is what keeps me alive. Furthermore, during moments that require heavy usage of stratagems, these can overshadow the sounds of enemies, further cluttering the visual cues. 

However, this clutter is not much different from the complete hearing experience. Just as a fully hearing player would be bombarded with sounds, Audio Radar users are bombarded visually in the same way. And this applies to many games. The only difference is that full-hearing gamers can more accurately discern sounds when exposed to many. Although the Radar can't discern specific sounds yet, it still provides a significant advantage by visualizing the chaotic battlefield.

Frequency of Use: 2/5
Accuracy of Sound Representation: 3/5
Overall Integration: 3/5

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In Fortnite's dynamic and ever-changing game, Audio Radar aims to maintain a sense of familiarity. While playing, I found Audio Radar to be very helpful. Whether it was a footstep or a gunshot, the Radar picked it up and accurately pinpointed the direction of the sound. It was a very refreshing experience, making the game much more enjoyable. It improved my game sense while also enhancing my experience.

Now, if you're familiar with the game, you'll know that it already has built-in visual cues that can be turned on in the game settings. While this feature was extremely helpful in detecting the sound, I found that Audio Radar was able to add to this feature seamlessly. I discovered that certain sounds that should be audible through the headset remain silent when Visualize Sounds is enabled. However, the Audio Radar was able to detect these sounds. This feature does not pick up sounds such as crouch walking, even if they are relatively close. Audio Radar picks up these cues, which can make a difference in a fight. I play in zero build mode, but I imagine the Radar could be useful during build fights.

Frequency of Use: 4/5
Accuracy of Sound Representation: 4/5
Overall Integration: 4/5

 

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Counter-Strike is one of the most popular and competitive games in gaming history, and it is one of my favorites, too. However, there is a problem - audio radar doesn't offer much support for CS2 at the moment. The game only has 3D stereo audio, so surround sound options are unavailable. Consequently, the Audio Radar has limited functionality, with only the two front light bars capable of detecting sound. As a result, the visual cues available for the Radar to pick up are quite limited. 

Fortunately, CSGO supports 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound, which makes it a better option for those looking for more advanced features. When playing CSGO, the Audio Radar works beautifully. It is easy to tell where the gunfire and footsteps are coming from, especially if you are familiar with the maps. While playing, I rarely felt bombarded with sound, and I always knew what was going on regarding sound. We hope that CS2 will support surround sound in the future, but it has limited compatibility for now.

 

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Audio Radar can be a helpful tool in games like Valorant. To get the most out of it, make sure to switch the sound setting to "Detect" instead of stereo, which only uses the front two light bars like CS2. With this adjustment, Audio Radar can have a similar effect to CSGO - it can accurately detect footsteps or someone preparing to use a skill. Even as a newcomer to the game, I felt I was performing much better than I would have without the light bars. In fact, playing without sound made me realize just how much Audio Radar was enhancing my overall game sense.

Frequency of Use: 5/5
Accuracy of Sound Representation: 4/5
Overall Integration: 4/5

 

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In PUBG, which is one of the pioneers of the battle royale genre, the Audio Radar is a game-changer that enhances the overall gaming experience. The game's slower pace compared to other titles in the same category means that moments of overwhelming sound are fewer, making the Audio Radar an incredibly useful and revolutionary tool in the vast, often silent battlegrounds. 

The Audio Radar's ability to identify sound directions is pivotal in PUBG. Sound cues such as distant gunfire, approaching footsteps, or the subtle crunch of gravel can make the difference between survival and elimination. This tool is excellent in translating these audio cues into visual signals, enabling players to easily pinpoint the origin of sounds with remarkable accuracy. This advantage becomes particularly evident in late-game scenarios, where the play zone shrinks, and engagements become inevitable.

Frequency of Use: 5/5
Accuracy of Sound Representation: 4/5
Overall Integration: 4/5

 

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Sons of the Forest is a unique and immersive survival horror game emphasizing environmental awareness as the key to survival. The game's focus on sound for signaling the presence of threats and resources creates a challenging and thrilling experience. For deaf and hard-of-hearing players, Audio Radar significantly enhances the gameplay. 

 

Navigating the dense landscape in Sons of the Forest requires using hearing as your friend to traverse safely. At any moment, you or your base could be under attack, and building a large base or one without windows can make it hard to tell if you're being attacked. The Audio Radar feature enabled me to detect significant activity from one side of my base and alerted me that I was under attack. 

During intense situations, such as being surrounded by multiple threats, the visual cues can become as overwhelming as the game's audio landscape. This mirrors the challenge hearing players face and maintains the game's high tension and atmosphere. Another noteworthy aspect of the Audio Radar feature is that it detects a lot of ambient noise, which requires the player to be more attentive. Overall, Audio Radar is an essential tool for deaf and hard-of-hearing players to enjoy the full experience of Sons of the Forest.

Frequency of Use: 3/5
Accuracy of Sound Representation: 3/5
Overall Integration: 3/5

 

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Diving into the realm of Call of Duty, a revered shooter franchise, offers a robust and adrenaline-pumping experience. I can confidently say that the Audio Radar works great with Call of Duty. I thought that the amount of sound might interfere with the light bars too much, but it worked perfectly, even more so in Warzone.

Identifying enemies wasn't very difficult, as most people I encountered liked to run and gun. The Audio Radar picked up and accurately displayed any sound they Made, transforming every footstep, distant shot, and reloading sound into a visual cue that I could easily interpret and react to. My only issue was deciphering whether an enemy was above or below me, but I often feel that way anyway when using headphones.

Frequency of Use: 5/5
Accuracy of Sound Representation: 4/5
Overall Integration: 4/5

 

 

As someone who has ventured into the unforgiving world of Rust, I can attest that this survival game is known for its harsh environments and constant threat from other players. In such a game, where every sound can signify danger, the clarity and utility of Audio Radar elevate the survival experience to new heights. 

One cool feature of Rust is that only your own steps and melee attacks illuminate the front light bars, ensuring that any sound coming from behind you is not caused by you. I also found that the lack of ambiance or music in the game enhances the precision and capabilities of the radar. Although I didn't encounter these in the game, I can imagine that the Radar can accurately track planes and helicopters. In my experience, Audio Radar was an indispensable tool for survival in Rust.

 

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In theHunter: Call of the Wild, where the rustle of leaves and the distant call of your prey are crucial pieces of information, Audio Radar became an indispensable tool. It could transform these crucial audio cues into visual indicators, enabling me to track animals and navigate the environment with unparalleled clarity.

To my surprise, the Radar exceeded my expectations in many ways. While tracking a moose, it picked up on the rustling of foliage before I realized I was meters away from my prey. I was amazed it could detect sounds I wasn't even sure I had heard. Even though the game has a built-in "alert" system that indicates a sound on the screen, there were still plenty of times when animal calls and sounds were not displayed on the screen. I would have been oblivious to the black bear roaming to my left without the Radar. Overall, the Audio Radar tool worked exceptionally well and felt like it belonged in the game.

Frequency of Use: 5/5
Accuracy of Sound Representation: 4/5
Overall Integration: 4/5

 

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In the game The Isle, players are transported to a prehistoric era where dinosaurs roamed freely and survival depended on one's ability to stay alert and aware of their surroundings. The experience can be even more challenging for players who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, with the help of Audio Radar, the game can become more immersive and enjoyable for all players. 

I had the opportunity to test the Audio Radar feature while playing the game and was impressed by its effectiveness. The ambiance was never too loud, and I could always pinpoint the source of any sound. This was particularly helpful at night when my visibility was limited, and I needed to navigate the dense jungle. Although being chased by a Carnotaurus was not a pleasant experience, I was at least aware of its position as I tried to escape. Overall, the Audio Radar feature added extra excitement to the game and made it more fun to play.

Frequency of Use: 5/5
Accuracy of Sound Representation: 4/5
Overall Integration: 4/5

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ARK: Survival Evolved is an immersive game that takes players on a thrilling adventure to a prehistoric island filled with dinosaurs, other creatures, and natural hazards. In such a challenging environment, sound plays a critical role in survival, from hearing the footsteps of approaching predators to detecting the rustle of foliage that indicates the presence of hidden resources or dangers. 

The heart of ARK lies in its dinosaurs, and this is where Audio Radar truly shines. I found it incredibly intuitive to identify the direction of distant roars, enabling me to decide whether to approach a potential tame or to retreat from an impending threat. The Radar also helped me determine if the stomps of a dinosaur were much larger than mine, thus aiding in my decision-making. 

Overall, I am excited about what ARK 2 has to offer, and the Radar worked exceptionally well.

Frequency of Use:  5/5
Accuracy of Sound Representation:  4/5
Overall Integration:  4/5

 

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Roblox is a unique platform that offers a wide range of user-generated games and experiences. It's a bustling hub for creativity and social interaction. However, the implementation of Audio Radar within the platform varies greatly depending on the game or experience you choose to play. 

In many cases, the Radar works quite well. It's efficient in picking up specific sounds, especially in games that don't have much background noise. Additionally, many games allow you to turn off in-game music, making it easier for the Radar to pinpoint important sounds. 

In combat or survival games, where sound plays a significant role, the Radar proves to be an essential tool. Overall, the usefulness of Audio Radar in Roblox is dependent on the specific game or experience.

 

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Minecraft is easily my favorite game on this list, not just for its gameplay but also for the exceptional amount of customization it offers through mods. There's so much to talk about Minecraft, but for now, I'll say that Audio Radar works great with the game. 

One of the exciting things about Minecraft is the ability to achieve an even greater level of precision, allowing a single segment on the light bar to indicate the exact location of something. Players can focus solely on important noises by turning off the ambiance and other non-important sounds, like footsteps or danger lurking nearby. 

Moreover, by assigning specific colors to different types of sounds, players can identify the direction of a sound and what the sound might be. This is especially helpful in caves, where players might be unsure if a sound comes from a harmless bat or a dangerous creature.

Minecraft and Audio Radar work exceptionally well together, creating an immersive and customizable gaming experience.

 

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Gray Zone Warfare is an extraction shooter with the purpose of getting loot and getting out alive. Much like Tarkov, you choose your loot and head onto the map to collect more or better loot. In this game, sounds are very important, and gamers who are deaf or hard of hearing would have difficulty playing the game. You're at a significant disadvantage without hearing distant gunshots and incoming helicopters dropping off friends or foes. 

While going into the game, I was skeptical about the Radar working well due to the ambiance. The sounds of birds, crickets, and many other little sounds have little to no gameplay importance. While at full sensitivity, ambiances such as these heavily cluttered the light bars. Once I turned the sensitivity knobs down, the Radar worked like a charm. Most of the ambiance and my own footsteps went undetected, allowing more prominent sounds, such as gunshots and players. While playing I could also detect incoming helicopters carrying foes near my location. The only times the Radar wasn't helpful was inside helicopters and at home base where there were no threats.

Overall, Audio Radar worked very well with Gray Zone Warfare. 

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Dead by Daylight is an adrenaline-pumping survival horror multiplayer game that puts you in the shoes of either a killer or a survivor. With its third-person perspective on situational awareness, the game delivers a heart-pounding experience like no other.

As a survivor, your mission is to outsmart the killer and escape by repairing generators while evading their pursuit.On the other hand, stepping into the role of the killer allows you to roam eerie locations and track down your prey with chilling precision.

Now, let's talk about the Audio Radar. Contrary to my initial doubts, this tool proved to be an invaluable asset, especially for survivors. It provided crucial audio cues, such as the distinct sounds of generator repairs or the ominous heartbeat when the killer draws near. The added visual cues, like the flashing lights, further heightened the tension, making every moment a test of nerves.

For killers, the Audio Radar offered a new dimension of gameplay, allowing them to pinpoint survivor movements and anticipate their actions with uncanny accuracy.

The fusion of audio and visual feedback created an electrifying experience that elevated the thrill of the hunt to new heights. What truly sets the Audio Radar apart is its ability to immerse players in the game's atmosphere. The pulsating light bars added an extra layer of fear and suspense, reminiscent of the most chilling horror movies. It's a feature that not only enhances gameplay but also taps into the primal fear that makes Dead by Daylight a truly unforgettable experience.

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Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege is a high-precision, tactical shooter that prioritizes careful planning, teamwork, and finely tuned tactical play. You play as either an attacker or defender, each within their own goals. As an attacker, you aim to wipe out the opposition and defuse the bomb. As a defender, you want to barricade and defend the bomb. 

While testing the game, I found that the Audio Radar works fairly well, but it is nothing crazy. The game’s soundscape seems to act like an echo. For example, if there’s shooting to my right, the right light bar will light up brightest, but the other light bars will, too. It’s not as intense as where the sound is coming from, but it can sometimes be confusing to pinpoint where the sound comes from. 

From an overall view, I’d have to say it wasn’t amazing, but it was much better than nothing. The lights would flash whenever a barricade was broken, or grenades began going off, allowing me to understand the current situation while playing without sound. Another time the Audio Radar was useful was when I camped out on an angle, and the Radar detected someone behind me. I was able to eliminate them before they could to me, only because I heard them using the light bar. For the most part, it would be useful during the whole match, but has its moments when the environment is too noisy for it to be super accurate. 

 

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There is no limit to the number of games Audio Radar can enhance. It's a great tool for any gamer, but it absolutely changes the game for deaf or hard-of-hearing gamers. We hope that in the future, popular titles like CS2 become more compatible. Any game offering a surround sound option should work with Audio Radar. 

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